Bass: Fishing from the Docks

As one of the most common fish found in the United States, bass fishing is a whole sport of its own. In a show of its popularity, many anglers specialize in catching them. There are even bass tournaments, finding out which angler can catch the biggest fish of the day, as well as magazines, how-to guides, and even equipment specifically made to catch bass.  Given its popularity, generations of anglers have developed and employed different methods of catching bass and trying to find the best fishing spots and weather conditions in which to reel them in. 

For many anglers who want to catch bass in spring, catching them from docks is one of the best ways to do right after their spawn season. Bass during this season flock for shelter, which is why anglers will most likely find them hiding in debris and rocky places. Docks are one such place with lots of covers, especially in crevices. A lot of bass seem to build their nests right next to the beam supports of the dock. Another great thing about fishing from the dock is the lack of the need for either chartering a boat or owning one. There’s a lot of space to go around on a dock, so having the equipment doesn’t consume as much space.  Given that an angler knows how to do it, they can prepare and fillet the fish for their trip home, something that’s harder to do on a constantly moving boat. Since bass are plentiful during the spring, here are some of the things anglers need to know about fishing for bass near docks. 

Bass Fishing on Docks: Everything You Need To Know 

Where to Find Them

As a rule of thumb, the more dilapidated and rough the dock looks, the better it is for fishing. Like what’s previously been said, bass favor making nests in debris. They will also make nests beside their pillars, deep beneath the water. Many types of docks vary from one location to the next. One of the best docks to fish at is without any nearby cover. The dock is the lone cover on a warm day that inevitably invites fish over. Docks with nearby vegetation, where smaller prey reside, are also great places to fish.

Most anglers recommend casting lures on shaded parts of the dock, where the water is its coolest. Standing on the side of the dock where your shadow casts may spook the bass, so it’s best not to do so. Anglers should also be wary of the number of people on the dock. Too many people fishing for bass will inevitably spook them. Fishing on metal docks also isn’t as great. As metal is a better conductor of heat, it, in turn, warm the water enough that it can sometimes shoo away any bass. Docks with boats parked nearby should also be avoided if an angler isn’t completely confident in their casts. Though crevices between boats and docks can be a great place to cast lures, that is, if an angler can do it properly. Minor accidents like scratching boats with hooks can happen, something many boat owners probably won’t appreciate. 

When nighttime fishing from the docks, one great way to entice bass is to have underwater lighting, most anglers choose between green, white, and blue, with green being arguably the most effective. Many anglers recommend consistently turning on the dock lights at night. Whether or not an angler dock fishes during the night, bass will be lured into the nearby area with a false sense of security. 

Equipment to Use 

When preparing for bass fishing, it’s good to prepare a six or 8-weight fly rod. These fish may not spook easily but can weigh up to 20lbs and will put up a fight, so getting a line that can handle the biggest of bass is definitely a loss. Anglers may use a disk drag for a more gradual resistance in a line. Having a reel with a quick retrieval will also save an angler a lot of time.

Bait and lure selections are probably among the more important things to look out for when bass fishing. Knocking spinnerbait on the legs of docks seems to work well or using topwater lures. Using a dropshot weight will also add a little more depth and stability to the lures. Live bait like worms, minnows, and shrimp readily entice bass regardless of the time of day. When going out for night fishing, glow-in-the-dark lures work really well. Like using underwater lights, glow-in-the-dark lures attract fish as it glows in contrast with the dark. For better or worse, however, these lures do not emit smells, something that also attracts fish. 

Never Lose Patience

There isn’t a lot of shade to go around for fish hiding from the sun. Often, the slightest movements from people above will spook the fish underneath. It’s very likely that when an angler casts their lure, the fish currently residing nearby will start swimming away at first. Patience is key in situations like this, as the fish will most likely swim back. This is especially the case when fishing during hot weather in a place without cover. The impatience of an angler will be their undoing, especially if they keep casting and recasting lines. Reeling in lines as well as resetting them can also be very time-consuming. When fishing in general, it’s good to maximize the use of each line cast. Choosing a spot that has beds of weed, debris, or piles of rocks will up the chances of getting a strike.

As fishing from the dock presents a cheaper yet effective way to reel in fish, there’s no doubt that it has become a more popular form of fishing, especially for those looking to cut some costs. In the end, however, fishing offers a lot of different ways to go about the sport that’s suitable for any type of weather, technique, and even budget. Being able to choose what works for each angler while presenting other alternatives is one of the beauties of fishing.