Bringing them out into the light - Bass under docks

[lmobass22]

Fellow anglers,

I consistently fish a little lake not to far from where I live.

There is one public dock and out of curiosity I look between the cracks into the water to look for fish.

Last year I started to notice tons of crappies and a few bass here and there.

I did this again yesterday to find two really nice sized bass.

I dropped a good looking jig between the cracks to my surprise both of them swam at it to pick it up then drop it a few times.

My question is, how do I get the bass to either

a - Get the bass to come out of under the dock

b - Catch the bass through the dock

Thanks

[Bluebasser86]

Is there no way to cast under the dock? Big bass get smart and learn to hide well under docks and cover where most anglers can't present a bait. If you get proficient at skipping a bait under docks and overhanging limbs, these fish become attainable. 

[lmobass22]

37 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Is there no way to cast under the dock? Big bass get smart and learn to hide well under docks and cover where most anglers can't present a bait. If you get proficient at skipping a bait under docks and overhanging limbs, these fish become attainable. 

There are a few spots but it is a very tough cast because the dock is so low to the water.

[loudcherokee]

I would try to peak their curiosity and draw them to the edge with a moving bait, like a spinnerbait, crankbait, jerk bait, etc casted parallel with the dock as close as you can. Have your jig rigged up as a follow up bait on a second rod. When they come to investigate, flip the jig to them.

I'd also be trying to toss a weightless senko wacky - rigged right next to the bass beside the dock and give it a few shakes.

LC

[Bologna2202]

A wacky rigged senko beside the dock is the answer. Drop it beside the dock on slack line, they will usually hit it on the first fall. If they don't, slowly bring the senko back to the surface with a few jiggles but make sure you don't take it out of the water. Then let it drop on slack line again. If they don't bite on the second drop hover it 1 foot off the bottom and let it sit with a few twitches every so often.

 

I've been slaying the bass around the docks with this technique for years. The bass just cant resist!

- Bologna

[gardnerjigman]

Sometimes a buzzbait or spook can call them out too. Just don't hit the dock with water you throw or skip or you might as well move on. They don't get big by being dumb

[roadwarrior]

If you can pitch right next to the dock, casting straight on, a Fat Ika will move away from you and under the dock.

 

[Fishes in trees]

If you can't skip, Road Warrior's approach might be the next best thing, i.e. rig some bait that will dive away from you.  Perhaps you recall the old Alex Langer "Flying Lure"?   That was designed for this situation.   The IKA - previously mentioned works ok for me.  A tail weighted senko style bait tx rigged works better for me.   Didn't Ike design a bait in the Berkley Havoc line for this purpose?   I seem to remember that, but I can't recall the name of the bait or if it lasted very long on the market.   Anyway, - now you've got options to try.

[fishwizzard]

Would adding a small nail weight to a Fat Ika help it glide away farther or faster, or will it kill the action?  I don't have access to deep and clear enough water to test it, but can think of a few spots that I could use it at. 

[Crankinstein]

That Ike bait from Berkley the backslide I think its called might be a good option. It has that duel density plastic where its heavier on one end so that it slides away from you and might be good for getting under the dock and into the face of the bass. Another thing I like to do is take a bait like a wake bait that you can run parallel to the dock as others have mentioned but the wake bait will be a slower fatter target and may get those bass to come hit it if they don't hit the faster moving options. I caught a nice one last night on that brand new megabass gong wake bait when I was fishing slowly over some submerged logs, a bass that was under the log came up and nailed it.

[Airman4754]

A double fluke.