How to target plus sized bass under docks

[TOXIC]

Well, that bait I am very experienced with.  I have used it on a Ned, dropshot, ball head.  At times the fish prefer it.  My biggest complaint is that they bite the tail off. 

[roadwarrior]

I have heard that the Kut-Tail is more popular than the Senko in Japan.

Is that true?

[TnRiver46]

Not a soft plastic and sure as the world won’t skip, but plus size fish target this big ole thing from FishLab. I haven’t thrown it much but something huge has tried to eat it every time 

[TOXIC]

Might be.  The Japanese market is so different from here that I have a hard time relating.  I don’t know the specifics since the sale but when I toured the factory, there were huge racks of Japan only baits and some of them were wild.  Looked like little scraps of plastic.  Word at that time was that they manufactured 5 shipping containers a month for Japan only baits.  The GYCB International page is still up and they are still using the old logo.

[PotatoLake]

22 hours 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!

This is true and a very popular technique in Japan called backsliding. You have to rig it "backwards" so the hook is through the skirted side, leaving the heavy bulbous nose pointing towards your target. Leave slack in your line to allow the bait to travel forwards. I also suggest a Deps Bullflat, 4.8 or 5.8. Put it on a large weighted swimbait hook. Looks just like a struggling bluegill. I've had a couple nice ones munch those around docks.

[looking45]

On 8/9/2022 at 8:03 AM, gimruis said:

 

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.

Don’t get locked into the idea that you need to get your bait UNDER the dock to catch fish. I know you mentioned you’re throwing soft plastics but if you want bigger fish, try swimming a 7”-8” swim bait or glide bait on the OUTSIDE of the docks. The fish will come out from under the rocks to grab it.you don’t have to right next to the dock either. If they want the bait, they will come out 10 feet or more. Try it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised 

[TnRiver46]

I agree! I’ve only had a big bait for about a month but if there’s a big fish in the area, they will come after it quite often 

[TheBaitMonkey]

Toss on a 10”-12” ribbon tail worm or magnum trick worm on a 5/0 cover shot hook with a 3/16 - 1/4 oz dropshot weight and toss it along the edges of the dock if it is a little weedy. That’s been my ticket along with big swimbaits recently. Often times I’ll be able to see them following the swimbait since they’re curious then I’ll follow up with the magnum worm later on to get ‘em to commit. I don’t think the bass are used to seeing big worms often, especially on a dropshot hovering right in their face. 

[BrianMDTX]

On 8/9/2022 at 1:31 PM, TOXIC said:

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? 

It’s a great bait. Rig it tentacles forward or in the rear. If no bites one way, re-rig it on the spot. It’s compact, has good weight to cast, easy as pie to skip and catches bass. 

[@reelChris]

Here's what I've observed:  

 

1) Bait selection is the least important part of dock fishing.  That being said, soft plastics are better than hard baits, but color isn't super important.  You're fishing the definition of a reaction bite.  If you can get the bait under there, and bass are present, they'll bite as long as you don't make a giant commotion - e.g. I've never gotten a bite skipping a buzz toad under a dock.

 

2)  Dock selection is the most important part of dock fishing.  Wider docks in the shadows in at least 4-5 feet of water with some weeds around/under them are much more likely to hold quality fish than skinny, shallow docks over featureless bottom.

 

3) Although docks are good targets, skipping way under pontoon boats usually produces better for me.

 

4)  If you feel bluegill bites or pick up a rock bass, the dock doesn't have any good bass under it.   Maybe bass coexist with those other species in such small areas, but I've never seen it.  Maximize your efficiency by reeling up at the first tic of a bluegill and find a better dock; and finally

 

5) Dock fishing is a numbers game.  You're better off picking a lure you can reliably cast/skip where you want it and maximizing bites instead of trying to select for big fish.