How to target plus sized bass under docks

[gim]

I've been having a lot of success dock skipping this time of year on sunny days.  However, I'm having trouble catching anything plus sized doing it.  A lot of fish in the 17-18 inch range (which are nice fish and definitely better than average here), just nothing any bigger.  In the past I would occasionally catch a much bigger fish doing this in midsummer.

 

I already know that not every dock is created equal.  Docks with more shade and docks that are in deeper water or have close proximity to deeper water are obviously better.  I am primarily using a 5 inch stick bait wacky rigged.  What else can I do to specifically target big bass around and under docks?

[Darth-Baiter]

people on the CA Delta are skipping those Berkely Gillys under docks and things, for some biggeees.

 

i do what you do.  

[roadwarrior]

7.49 under a dock on a GYCB Fat Ika

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/lake-guntersville-2012.html

[Cbump]

Swim an 8” Huddleston around the docks. Might take a while. 

[DitchPanda]

So I don't do a ton of dock skipping but all my biggest fish caught that way have come on a jig .

[crypt]

BIGGER baits all around and slow down seems to work for me......

[the reel ess]

Maybe big ones don't prefer the docks. They also don't tend to hang out with small bass.

[Way north bass guy]

Depending on how thick the weed cover is around the docks, I’ve caught some of my largest bass around them on one of several things. A big topwater frog, big double willow spinnerbait, jerkbait, or a good sized squarebill have taken some dandies for me. Obviously your not likely to skip the jerkbait or crankbait under the dock real well, but rip those guys along either side and you’ll see some big girls roll out and smash em, at least sometimes. 

[Hammer 4]

Big bass also take up the best spots. I'd look for a dock that sticks out further than the rest, or that has cover close by.

[papajoe222]

The biggest bass I’ve caught under and around docks have all had one thing in common; There wasn’t another dock within casting distance on either side. It’s basically isolated cover, kind of like that deadfall all by itself.  

[Woody B]

By this time of year, at least around here the docks have been terribly overfished.   I've caught big bass (by my standard for big) around docks but it was always earlier or later in the year.  This time of year find some cover that everyone doesn't see, and you'll find bigger bass.  

[the reel ess]

3/8 oz. Jig and Craw trailer. Black and blue.

[gim]

11 hours ago, Way north bass guy said:

I’ve caught some of my largest bass around them on one of several things. A big topwater frog, big double willow spinnerbait, jerkbait, or a good sized squarebill have taken some dandies for me.

 

On this particular lake, that strategy often works early in the morning or the evening when the sun is at a lower angle.  I usually throw a spinnerbait really close so that its running along the dock line and then bumps a post or two.  That's when a fish will dart out and grab it.  As the day progresses though, they become less likely to do that and I have to fish directly under the docks where the best shade is. Last season I was catching bass just as I described in my original post up to 17-18 inches, and then in early August I started catching much bigger fish mixed in.

[Mobasser]

A lightweight tube bait can work well under and around docks. Tubes have a spiraling fall and enter the water quietly.

[gim]

4 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

A lightweight tube bait can work well under and around docks. Tubes have a spiraling fall and enter the water quietly.

 

I actually used a tube the other day and caught a few fish too.  They skip really well.  I switched back to a stick bait though because I had a brighter color and the water was very murky.

[KP Duty]

A myriad of baits work on docks.  Denny Brauer used to recommend a jig...letting it fall to the bottom and shaking it.  I watched Shaw Grigsby pitch a bagley db3 to docks in a bassmaster event on grand lake many moons ago.  I know this didn't help you...just thought I'd share.

[gim]

14 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

I know this didn't help you...just thought I'd share.

 

I welcome any and all advice on the topic.  Unfortunately I won't be pitching anything that has a hard surface under docks because of the noise it makes.  I am strictly using soft plastics.

[Deephaven]

Almost all of mine are caught on jigs or tubes.  I usually have a wacky on too, but 90% of the people I see tossing under docks now throw wacky's so I think that ship has sailed a bit.

[roadwarrior]

Well, back to the Fat Ika...Pitch it right up against the dock and it will sink away

from you, UNDER the dock!

[TOXIC]

13 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Well, back to the Fat Ika...Pitch it right up against the dock and it will sink away

from you, UNDER the dock!

I have noticed you like to throw that bait a lot.  Am I missing a bait in the Yamamoto lineup that I should be using more? 

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

YOU overlooked my #2 bait?  

 

Alrighty, one more for you today...Kut-Tail

https://www.baits.com/products/7-75-kut-tail-worm/

[Choporoz]

Couple years ago I saw I guy pitching a drop shot under docks.  I'd never considered it before, but I have had some success from time to time.  I need to have good clearance, and fairly calm conditions to slow way down, but I've found some decent fish that ignored senkos and jigs.  Not sure why....wish I knew

[gim]

4 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

but I've found some decent fish that ignored senkos and jigs

That is odd.  I would tend to think that pretty much any lure would work, just as long as its placed correctly.

[roadwarrior]

3 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Couple years ago I saw I guy pitching a drop shot under docks.  I'd never considered it before, but I have had some success from time to time.  I need to have good clearance, and fairly calm conditions to slow way down, but I've found some decent fish that ignored senkos and jigs.  Not sure why....wish I knew

Give the Flat Worm a try on your drop shot.

https://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/powerbait-maxscent-flat-worm-1454397

[Choporoz]

7 minutes ago, gimruis said:

That is odd.  I would tend to think that pretty much any lure would work, just as long as its placed correctly.

Maybe it's not the fish.  Maybe it is me.  I put a dropshot down, and I am committed to a good 30-60 seconds without sudden movement.   I really struggle to fish as slow with a senko or jig.  Once the senko makes it to the bottom, I'm hopping it out pretty quickly usually.