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bristly, trimmed-down finesse model that sneaks into shadows to tempt pressured fish, the jig tackles a wide range of scenarios. For a look that differs from all the spinnerbaits and crankbaits flying past the fish, try swimming a jig or a chatterbait next to a dock. Slender swimming tails enhance the action, but make sure you match the local forage coloration. The swimming tactic is particularly effective dur- ing the post spawn when fish gather in the cooler water off the ends of deep docks. any other time, try skipping a 3/8-ounce jig far under the dock to reach some way-back sweet spot while keeping your dis- tance from spooky fish. Here’s a good skipping tip: Use a sharp sidearm cast and aim for a spot about six inches in front of the dock. This way, the bait makes contact with the water and then flattens out before skipping toward the gap between dock and water. aim too close and you risk hitting the dock. That’ll stop your bait and alert the fish. Consider also how bluegill congregate around docks, often hovering near the surface. run a wake- bait past the edge and you’re likely to fool any bass with panfish on his mind. For thorough coverage,
make one cast as far back to the dock’s near side as possible, troll forward and make another presentation parallel to the face and then make a final shot along the far side of the dock. This gives any hungry fish a good look from multiple angles. Swimbaits, a standard for any proper western bass angler’s arsenal, certainly hold their place in dock tactics. From hopping a lead head with a kicking tail in and out of the shadows, to swimming a big hitch imita- tor along a dock’s face, this is almost always a good bet. i can personally vouch for this one, as i recall a 6 ½-pound Clear lake beauty that crushed a Gan Craft Jointed Claw after i tossed it near a pile of hitch congre- gating in about 10-feet off the edge of a midsize dock. during the cold season, a jerkbait’s erratic flutter- ing action and suspending or slow-sinking action can prove highly effective at tempting sluggish fish with the appearance of an easy food source. Baits like the rapala X-rap, Megabass Vision 110, or lucky Craft Pointer 100 sit differently in the water, but upsizing treble hooks and/or adding adhesive lead strips or dots allows anglers to dial in their sink rates. Plastics catch plenty of dock fish too, so don’t hesitate to drop a texas-rigged worm or lizard into the shadows. lastly, traditional topwaters like a Heddon Zara Spook or a rebel Pop-r will interest plenty of dock fish, particularly when shad spawn around the docks. anoth- er productive, yet less common dock option is the hollow body frog. California pro ish Monroe fishes his namesake Snagproof PHat Frog around docks coast-to-coast and finds the bait’s ability to walk, chug and float motionless when paused provides great versatility. Whatever you throw, boat positioning matters much in the dock fishing game so stay as far away from the dock as possible, while maintaining a realis- tic casting range. Boat noise, trolling motor noise and bumping around the deck will all affect the fish, so give yourself sufficient room to work unimpeded. Set up your casts from your strong side – if you’re right- handed, set up your cast that way.” The worst thing an angler can do is blow out the dock with sudden blast of the trolling motor. Wind can ruin the deal also by pushing you too close, too fast, so a measured approach is critical. Boats rigged with PowerPoles or Minn Kota talons have the dis- tinct advantage of stopping on a dime and advancing incrementally. Breezy days will make you work a little harder at this game, but the potential payoff from a bass-laden dock more than merits the effort.
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