Dock fishing baits

[Cgolf]

Hey all, I have started to work on my non existent dock game this year. 

So far I have tossed a slider rigged tube and a slider rigged 1/2 Zinkerz Ned rig and done pretty well. I did try a swim jig, but had issues hooking up with the one bite I got on it. 

I like the idea of Texas rigged baits because they are pretty easy to set the hook on with weird angles and the line deflecting off the dock if I actually got the bait under it. The concern with the bass jigs is the hookset, with the bad angles etc, I would think it would be more difficult to get the power needed to set the hook with the weedguard in the way. 

Haven't tried cranks, spinnerbaits,  or topwaters yet, well I tried the plopper 90 for 15 minutes with no hits,  but that is the extent of my topwater effort. 

[IndianaFinesse]

Wacky/Texas rigged senko, frog, ned rig, and a lot of people like jigs but I am not one of them.  I haven't had any problem with hooksets with jigs, I just haven't got the numbers or quality I would like with them but it is probably just operator error.

[Cgolf]

32 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

Wacky/Texas rigged senko, frog, ned rig, and a lot of people like jigs but I am not one of them.  I haven't had any problem with hooksets with jigs, I just haven't got the numbers or quality I would like with them but it is probably just operator error.

I was wondering about a Senko, this would be the one place I could convince myself to slow down enough to fish it. I would also think a Texas rigged senko would skip pretty well too.

I am fishing out of a 16 foot single console deep v with the longer shafted trolling motor that I can't put all the way down in shallow water, so low casts and hook sets are really difficult in the rig. I have broken a few cranks bouncing them off the console. The longer trolling motor is a must for the vacation lake where the shorter shafted motors would see the prop come out of the water in waves. 

[papajoe222]

1 hour ago, cgolf said:

 The concern with the bass jigs is the hookset, with the bad angles etc, I would think it would be more difficult to get the power needed to set the hook with the weedguard in the way. 

Haven't tried cranks, spinnerbaits,  or topwaters yet, well I tried the plopper 90 for 15 minutes with no hits,  but that is the extent of my topwater effort. 

As long as you are using equipment that can handle fishing a jig, the weed guard shouldn't be a concern. With most novice jig anglers, the large diameter hook is what becomes a concern.  With suitable line, rod and hook-set you'll find a jig hard to beat no matter where you fish it.

An easy way to get a bait under the dock is to tail weight it. It will fall away from you on slack line.  You can add weight to most compact plastic baits, but an internal weighted tube rigged backwards has a ton of action both when backing under a dock and when you pop it off the bottom.

A little off topic, but be sure to check your line frequently no matter what technique you may be using. That goes for your hooks, too.

[Airman4754]

I started power shotting docks last year and haven't looked back. It's so effective. 

[timsford]

I skip weightless senkos, flukes, ikas, and floating worms all the time with spinning tackle and 10lb trilene xl. Never had a problem setting the hook. Other dock baits I like are jigs and finesse tubes. Also soft swimbaits. Most of the docks here are the floating kind so they can move up and down with the winter drawdown, and sit very low so I haven't tried skipping cranks or anything else. I've caught a bunch of fish casting them at an angle so they swim under it though

[Bluebasser86]

Jigs and buzzbaits are two of my favorites for around docks. A Senko is great too, I just don't enjoy fishing them. 

[rangerjockey]

My favorite dock bait is slab spoon, Either a Dixie jet or War eagle in white or cole slaw. Pitch it back in the stalls and over the lifts,and out front around the cables.

Also a t-rigged creature bait like a Z hog or Why not or a  Jig.

 

 

[jr231]

I just watched a BASS tournament. And the dude won the tournament drop shoting a huge dock all three days . 

[Cgolf]

17 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

I just watched a BASS tournament. And the dude won the tournament drop shoting a huge dock all three days . 

 

8 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

I started power shotting docks last year and haven't looked back. It's so effective. 

So I assume this is picking at the edges? Only in the shade or does in the sun work sometimes too? I have visions of the sinker spiral wrapping around a post or bar if I try to get the rig under a dock.

[Columbia Craw]

Skipping a tube with an internal loop weight is VERY effective.  A wacky rigged Senko is right up there too.  Fishing a jig around any of the supports, pilings or other structures is also effective, especially if you need a slower fall.  

[NYWayfarer]

I drop shot docks right at the edge of the shade. It's hard to get the rig under the dock unless it is high.

I usually have a strike king dream shot nose hooked and I barely move the bait. If I don't get a hit after a few minutes I will bring it in slow and toss it to a different spot. I have caught on the drop, sitting still and the retrieve so it's pretty effective.

[Airman4754]

19 minutes ago, cgolf said:

 

So I assume this is picking at the edges? Only in the shade or does in the sun work sometimes too? I have visions of the sinker spiral wrapping around a post or bar if I try to get the rig under a dock.

Nope, just drop shotting down the sides with non-finesse gear. A young gentleman from California just won an Elite event doing this very thing. 

[BassB8Caster]

42 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

Nope, just drop shotting down the sides with non-finesse gear. A young gentleman from California just won an Elite event doing this very thing. 

I saw that as well. Very impressive. I was waiting for it to come back to haunt him when he decided to call it a day early that last day. He just cast it down the side of the docks. 

I have tried to fish a few docks here and there without much luck. I would say the approach would vary depending on the fish (active vs non). With active fish i would imagine getting the bait close to them may be enough to get strikes. Where in active fish will require bait to be skipped under or cast under the docks to reach the fish. 

[Cgolf]

10 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

Nope, just drop shotting down the sides with non-finesse gear. A young gentleman from California just won an Elite event doing this very thing. 

Power shotting work in stained water too? My local lake is greenish, while the vacation lake is pretty clear. I like the idea, might give it a toss next time out.

[Airman4754]

6 hours ago, cgolf said:

Power shotting work in stained water too? My local lake is greenish, while the vacation lake is pretty clear. I like the idea, might give it a toss next time out.

Docks aren't very wide. If they are under it and you're running close they will see it. 

["hamma"]

I dont go fishing without a jig tied onto a flippin stick. Period,..... And this is used for many applications, but its mainly for docks. That crayfish imitation is hard to beat. I can fish a worm, or any other lure for docks,.. but if I re-trace my path with that jig? It will out fish any other lure used, hands down. If you fish for bass, and choose to dock fish? I recommend that you brush up on jig fishing.

[Catt]

[Hez]

3 minutes ago, Catt said:

What do you call this creature?

 

[Catt]

20 minutes ago, hezeez@gmail.com said:

What do you call this creature?

Rage Tail's Smokin Rooster.

Texas rig it!

[ec1]

Dropshot / Power Shot is great for the non-boater. Let your boater do all the skipping under the docks etc, and wait until you have the perfect casting angle to drag it along the sides. It definitely gets you the bites that the boater isn't getting. Skipping a senko / ika is always an option too.

[Cgolf]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

I think I might have some Manns dragonflys in a box somewhere unless I gave them away, may be a good way to use them up.

[Catt]

56 minutes ago, cgolf said:

I think I might have some Manns dragonflys in a box somewhere unless I gave them away, may be a good way to use them up.

With a light wire hook & light weight both tend to glide on the fall.

[tcbass]

Wacky rigged Senko and Zoom Super Fluke.