Proven Boat Dock Presentations

Boat docks and bass. To even the most casual angler, they go together like ham and eggs, politicians and promises or any other old cliche one might care to dredge up. While many consider these tired phrases to be overused, one should not forget that nowhere are they illustrated more than in the relationship between bass and docks. To the highly object oriented bass, an old wooden boat dock, boathouse or pier will always be an attractive hangout. The tightly clustered pilings provide a comfortable sense of security; the overhead decking means continual shade and cooler waters. Also, docks invariably are built along a shallow littoral zone where a plentiful supply of forage exists. For a bass looking to beat the summer heat, it doesn't get any better. On any body of water, from a highland reservoir to a Southeastern tidal river, boat docks represent cover that is likely to produce bass. This potential still exists for today's anglers. The worn plastic worms seen dangling from manmade structures attest to the popularity of these casting targets. Of the many anglers fishing boat docks, however, only select anglers consistently catch fish from them. What separates the catchers from the fishers? Simply that many fail to understand one important aspect of a bass's relationship with a boat dock: Bass holding on docks are seldom active fish. While bass may occasionally feed beneath a dock, they will not use it as "feeding habitat." To bass, the dock is more of a resting place during periods of relative inactivity. In that situation, the bass is a "neutral fish"- one that can be triggered to strike a bait in a reflex manner, but isn't likely to be prowling for forage. With this in mind, it's easy to see why the angler who makes a few halfhearted casts around the outside portions of a dock is seldom rewarded. Fishing a dock can be like eating a pizza. If you want the good stuff, don't nibble tentatively around the edges. Get right into the middle. The angler who moves in close, places his lure in every nook and cranny and holds it there can frequently take the fish others leave behind.

Gearing Up For Docks: Placing a lure where other anglers can't, or won't, is the first step, but it's not easily done with conventional tackle. Flipping or pitching lures beneath docks can be effective at times, but this casting style limits the angler in his lure selection. Standard length casting or spinning rods, 6 to 6 1/2 feet, may work under specific circumstances, but in tight quarters, they hamper the angler's ability to execute the sidearm, backhand, underhand and skip casts needed to place the lure near fish. As a result, most savvy anglers who routinely fish dock laden waters include a specialty rod in their arsenal. A "dock rod" id nothing more than a short (5 to 5 1/2 foot) heavy action rod. In years past, many anglers would simply cut down and rewrap a worm action blank. Today, several manufacturers offer stout little 5 1/2 foot spinning rods for the task. Successful dock anglers often choose spinning rigs over baitcasting rigs, because the revolving spool on a baitcasting reel makes it difficult to "skip" a lure off the surface and beneath the dock. Spinning rigs also allow greater control when making short underhand or sideways casts. With this rod matched to a medium freshwater sized spinning reel, the rig will comfortably handle lines up to 17 pound test. And casting distance is more than adequate for the 30 foot (and shorter) casts commonly made around docks. Anglers with one or two spare spools can shift to lighter or heavier lines when water clarity or lure style dictates the need for change. Once properly equipped, an angler already has an advantage over others working docks. With the short rig, he can present lures in areas virtually off limits to those with standard tackle. Following are three ways to capitalize on that advantage.

Crankbaits: Crankbaits can trigger a strike with a speedy retrieve. Simply buzz it through open water beneath and along the edges of a dock. Strikes can also be attracted through a change of speed and direction - for example, when a diving lure bounces off the bottom or ricochets off submerged dock structure. Lipless crankbaits (like the Rat-L-Trap or Sugar Shad) are most effective when the angler casts them through tall open dock structures, like walkways and deck extensions, then retrieves them beneath the platform at a high speed. If the lure intercept bass from behind and quickly passes overhead, it can easily trigger a reflex strike. The tactic described, is most effective where the water is clear to moderately stained, and where the water depths beneath the dock are 6 feet or less. In stained, turbid or deeper water, retrieve the lure quickly to the dock then stop the retrieve for a few seconds, allowing the lure to flutter down. In deeper water, this presentation often attracts strikes as the retrieve begins again. Beneath docks with more structure and supports, where anglers have little or no room to retrieve a lipless lure, a floating/diving crankbait is more effective. Toss medium running models (like the Bomber 7A, Shad Rap and similar lures) into the deepest reaches of a dock. Let the crankbait float for a second, then quickly crank it down several feet. Slow the retrieve so the lure seductively ricochets off supporting pilings or the bottom. When face with floating docks, mistune a crankbait (by bending the line tie eye off center), to make it run beneath the platform. As the lure moves under the dock, apply a stop and go retrieve so the bait dives quickly and floats up slowly. This creates an effective retrieve for bass suspended just beneath the surface. Unfortunately crankbaits and docks have one drawback: When anglers snag the lure beneath a dock, there's usually no way to get it out. To reduce the chances of snagging, replace the factory hooks with light wire models and use lines in the 17 to 20 pound test range. If the lure snags, an angler can usually straighten the hooks to retrieve the lure. A big advantage to crankbaits is that few anglers use them around docks; as a result, they offer bass "something different."

Soft Plastic Stickbaits: The new soft plastic stickbaits - like the Slug Go, Mann's SHADow, etc.) are among the hottest lures on the pro tour. They are also deadly offerings for docks. Being weedless, these lures can be tossed into the tightest quarters without hesitation. Their flat profiles also make them skip well on a cast. Once in water, these baits sink slowly with a seductive action, and a few gentle twitches can trigger a strike from the most lethargic largemouth. Soft plastic stickbaits are most effective in clear to moderately stained water, and they work best when cast to a specific portion of the dock and allowed to sink slowly. most strikes come as the lure falls. If, however, it reaches bottom untouched, a slow twitching retrieve should be used to cover more area under the dock. These slithery lures are also an excellent solution to one of bass fishing's toughest situations. Late in summer on many Southeastern tidal rivers, large numbers of shrimp move in from the ocean. This is especially true on Florida's St. Johns River. When this occurs, bass often turn their attention to shrimp, spurning other forage. In this situation, a deadly technique is to move to the up-current side of a dock, flip the lure to the dock and allow the current to sweep it underneath. Once there, the angler twitches and jerks the bait sharply to imitate the movements of a shrimp. While current hold the bait under a dock, the angler keeps it dancing in place long enough to tempt a bass. Motor oil and Pumpkinseed colors are excellent shrimp imitators.

Tube Jigs: In extremely clear or shallow water, heavier lures (and lines) can reduce catches. But by shifting to a tube jig, like the Gitzit or G-2 Tube Lure, and using lines of 6 to 10 pound test, anglers can continue to produce bass. The lure can be rigged with Shaw Grigsby's High Performance Hook and bullet weights of 1/32 to 1/16 ounce. Thread the weight on the line then attach the hook and rig the tube jig Texas style. Slide the bullet weight back down so it touches the head of the tube jig, then insert the point of a toothpick in the weight's top hole and break off the rest of the toothpick. Known as "pegging," this tip anchors the weight in place so the tube lure will skip well on the water surface. The most effective tactic with this tube jig rig is to skip it off the water surface, so it falls well beneath the dock. The skipping action imitates a fleeing/injured baitfish and can alert or excite a bass. When the lure reaches its target, the lightweight sinker allows it to flutter into darker water, where bass are often waiting. Most strikes come as the bait sinks - strikes that are often telegraphed by nothing more than a twitch on the line. 

Patiently probing docks may not be as much fun as other bass fishing tactics. It can be slow and tedious, requiring advanced casting skills. But when midsummer heat sends bass to cooler cover, anglers who master the trio of tactics explained here can find the action as hot as the weather.