Tips for dock and shore fishing: I know many, probably most of FS morning regular posters, have a boat or kayak you use to fish. As many of you know, I don't own a boat. I've tried...

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

I know many, probably most of FS morning regular posters, have a boat or kayak you use to fish. As many of you know, I don't own a boat.

I've tried minnows, top water baits, worms, fishing deep and shallow with very limited results. Fished with and without a float in a variety of locations with limited or zero results. I fish early mornings. I'm not interested in fishing in the dark from the shore or a dock with limited or zero lighting. We catch bass and an occasional bluegill.

Here's the question for dock and shoreline bass fisherman, do you have a consistent approach that works for you? I''ve worked 2 rods with live and top water lures with zero results. Just looking for some new tips. I'll continue to fish, just looking for new ideas. Btw, I do talk to bait shop owners regularly.

Don't suggest a boat, I can't afford that now. Maybe someday. Thanks for any feedback.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

ghaynes1 wrote:

I know many, probably most of FS morning regular p... (show quote)

If you're fishing off docks you're standing above the fish....especially bass, they love docks. Plus when you step on to a dock you are spooking the fish

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Sinker Rig wrote:

If you're fishing off docks you're standing above the fish....especially bass, they love docks. Plus when you step on to a dock you are spooking the fish

We catch bass there. A few ranging from 2 to 8 pounds. There are plenty of minnows and bait fish around the dock. I'm just looking for fishing tips for better results.

TooMuch Loc: NE Alabama

Have you tap into the rubber worm industry yet? There are way too many to have one of each. I started with grape color and bass loved em. My personal fav is Yum. Seems their motto is accurate. I now have a fishing backpack solely dedicated to the rubber worm and the associated tackle.
Do you use a level wind or spin cast? When using rubbers I like my rod stiff for better accuracy of getting into the holes using my spincast but if I'm on open water above the grass I'll use a med-lt rod with the level wind.
There are days I switch up the plastics every 3rd to tenth cast. Eventually I'll find the color and retrieve that triggers the bite. Have some fun and experiment some. Tight lines!

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

TooMuch wrote:

Have you tap into the rubber worm industry yet? T... (show quote)

Thanks Too much. I need to try that more. I've done it some. I use a spin cast. I've got some different colors. Worth a shot.

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

ghaynes1 wrote:

I know many, probably most of FS morning regular p... (show quote)

Hey, Greg, I’m in the same (lack of a) boat as you. I’m having decent luck with Texas rigged senkos and power worms - learned about them and the technique from the folks here. Favorite color for senko is green pumpkin/chartreuse; motor oil for the power worm. Black/blue PW was working well earlier in the season but not so much now. Now and then I’ll use a Rebel bumble bug lure or a jitterbug. I have better luck in the later afternoon. Hope this helps!

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Betts wrote:

Hey, Greg, I’m in the same (lack of a) boat as you. I’m having decent luck with Texas rigged senkos and power worms - learned about them and the technique from the folks here. Favorite color for senko is green pumpkin/chartreuse; motor oil for the power worm. Black/blue PW was working well earlier in the season but not so much now. Now and then I’ll use a Rebel bumble bug lure or a jitterbug. I have better luck in the later afternoon. Hope this helps!

Thanks Betts. Solid ideas. Maybe I need to try prior to sunset. The water here is usually fairly cloudy. The bright colors may work. My top water lure is a bright white little fish with red eyes. It has a lot of fish tail action.

Bobfromfremont Loc: Fremont Ca

ghaynes1 wrote:

I know many, probably most of FS morning regular p... (show quote)

From the bank, or from a dock, you want the wind, and the sun at your face. The wind because it blows the protazoa, and the zooaplankton toward you. The sun because you don’t want to cast a shadow on the water. If you can’t have both, go with the wind, and be accutly aware where you are casting your shadow.

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

ghaynes1 wrote:

Thanks Betts. Solid ideas. Maybe I need to try prior to sunset. The water here is usually fairly cloudy. The bright colors may work. My top water lure is a bright white little fish with red eyes. It has a lot of fish tail action.

You’re welcome, Greg. The black/blue power worm works best in murky water, which is counterintuitive to me. I’ve tried senkos in the same color, but no luck. I’ve done okay with black/blue Strike King rage craws, rigged and fished the same way. I forgot about those.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Bobfromfremont wrote:

From the bank, or from a dock, you want the wind, and the sun at your face. The wind because it blows the protazoa, and the zooaplankton toward you. The sun because you don’t want to cast a shadow on the water. If you can’t have both, go with the wind, and be accutly aware where you are casting your shadow.

Thanks Bob. Wind and sun in my face often enough. Even with hat and sunglasses, I have the burn to prove it.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Try Senko type worms rigged wacky and fish them slowly…very slowly. Also, try to fish under the dock before to walk out on it (if possible). They may just be hiding under it! Once they get spooked…they will have no interest. Dark colors for cloudy water as they like the contrast. Bright colors for clear water seems to be the ticket!

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Do the waters you fish have spillways either feeding the lakes or leaving them?

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

EasternOZ wrote:

Do the waters you fish have spillways either feeding the lakes or leaving them?

Not that I am aware of Oz. The one we fish most often is over 100 acres of reservoir. The water levels are regulated by the TVA. They open and close dams based on seasonal rainfall and the resort season. Water levels vary throughout the year

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

OJdidit wrote:

Try Senko type worms rigged wacky and fish them slowly…very slowly. Also, try to fish under the dock before to walk out on it (if possible). They may just be hiding under it! Once they get spooked…they will have no interest. Dark colors for cloudy water as they like the contrast. Bright colors for clear water seems to be the ticket!

The way this dock is set up -- a large T, makes it impossible to fish under it plus it's got a cable on one side that can hang you up. The minnows and bait fish are under the dock. The bass break top water under the dock early mornings. It seems like flies or something like a small bug might attract the bass within a few feet of the dock.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Ok