What To Do When The Fish Move Out?

[Browns7213]

The wife and I have made a date to go fishing off our dock every Sunday evening and had great luck with us catching 2-3 fish each outing. The last 3-weeks bupkis. I saw an article in the local paper that said most of the fish are done spawning and have moved out of the coves into the deep water, which I thought could be the reason we have not gotten even a nibble. However, I was down on the dock just enjoying a cigar and there were no less than 10 fish jumping out of the water. The first time it happened i was daydreaming when this massive fish went up, out and then created a huge splash, almost causing me to have a huge splash in my drawers I was so startled. 

 

My question is if the spawning is over is there anything new we should try to get the fish interested?

[Greed]

Maybe change the time you make your outing. There are always a few fish that'll move into feed at dawn and dusk if where you're fishing usually holds fish.

[Catt]

Not every bass does the same thing at the same time, some move from deep to shallow to spawn, some are already shallow so they don't move far.

Some bass feed in the morning, some feed around noon, some feed in the evening, some feed at night.

Your problem may just be a question of timing

[einscodek]

post spawn is the best time imo

I usually catch the most bigger fish then before they head deep down or deep in cover for the summer

they are likely hanging out near the spawn beds edging towards points or dropoffs

[OK Bass Hunter]

Follow them.

[Bluebasser86]

Is there any cover around your dock other than the dock itself? If your state allows you can always add brushpiles, steakbeds, or other kinds of cover to help attract fish. Not every fish in a cove will leave when they're done spawning, but they will get to pick the best cover. If you provide them with good cover they'll be much more likely to stay by your dock.

 

Also sounds like the big fish jumping are probably carp, they love to jump for no apparent reason and make some huge splashes. 

[Browns7213]

Yep there's tons of logs, 2 other docks within casting distance and sea walls. I can't follow them cause I don't have, nor do I want, a boat. Fishing off the dock is just an opportunity to spend some quiet time together when all the weekenders head back to the city.

[Browns7213]

Okay, we've been out 6-more times and still bupkis. We've tried fishing at different times, morning, afternoon, early evening and late evening and have not had a bite. We bought a bunch of additional lures including square billed crank baits, floaters, sinkers, Texas rigged plastics and still nothing. While I know its called fishing and not catching it getting pretty depressing going down and pulling out absolutely nothing. Any other suggestions, besides persistence and paitence?

[Crappiebasser]

If you have power on your dock, get a green monster fishing light. Not only does it make it a lot easier at night but fish stay in the area during the day once they get conditioned to the light.

[Choporoz]

No idea if it's an option for you, but last summer when our pier went cold, my wife and I bought waders, went to a different part of the cove at dusk, walked out into the 'surf' and went to the fish.  Pretty cool hooking a bass while standing 20-30 feet from shore.  Had a great few nights until sunset got to be later than the park closing time.  We need to find another access this summer.