Catching fish around the dock

Docks hold fish

What is up dock! No not the famous beloved cartoon rabbit Bug Bunny, but the boat dock, loading docks and piers. Docks hold fish. Dock are made up of wood, cement and pvc pipes. Almost all fish are structure oriented.

Picking a dock can be by trail and error or look for sighs that the dock will be productive. The sighs are bait under the dock. Good growth of plants around the pilings.

There are 2 way to approach a dock. First anchoring and second using a trolling motor.
Anchoring on a dock. Approach the dock up current without disturbing the fish on the dock. The method of anchoring can be using a Danforth Anchor, a push pole and the Power Pole. Let the dock settle before fishing. Start a chum slick by throw pieces of shrimp, cut bait or Pro Fish Chum Inshore Blend. It is essential that the chum slick is floating back to the dock. The fish will be spread out along the dock. The chum will concentrate the fish into a strike zone. The most effective way to catch these fish is using live Shrimp on a jig head, free lined or on a bobber.

If anchor is not your style, use your trolling motor. This method is different in positioning the boat. Approach the dock from the down current side and cast under the dock. Most fish orient with nose into the current.
Rod and line; This application needs a heavier rod and line because of the structure. A medium action rod, 20-30lb braided line and a 40lb floucarbon leader.
Try these methods outlined in this article and see if you will become a better dock angler and catch a variety of fish. Are a dock fisherman? E-mail us your stories or pictures.