Bass and Docks

There are so many docks to choose from on lakes or rivers deciding which docks to fish and which one's not to bother fishing are sometimes hard. Some fisherman do not even bother to fish docks because they see it as finding a needle in haystack and a waste of time. This is unfortunate because docks can hold big bass on some waters. Here are a few simple rules I use to help me identify docks that hold quality bass: Large docks in length and width are better than small docks. Wooden legs and decking docks are better than aluminium or steel leg docks. Try to find docks with deeper water 3 - 4 feet or more under them. Fixed docks are usually better than floating docks. With this said if it is a large floating dock in deeper water (usually there will be a slide or diving board on them when deep water is present) it will be worth a try especially in early morning before people start to use it. Docks which are low to the water offer shade and better overhead cover enabling the bass a better ambush point. Docks with solid plywood or very tight top decking are better docks because they give great shade for the bass and also the water temperature can be slightly cooler. Irregular shaped docks such as "T", "U", "H" or "L" docks seem to hold larger bass more than the traditional straight docks. Try to find docks near healthy weeds, rock and weed transition and also deep water drop offs which allows the bass security and oxygen, which in turn will bring in baitfish or prey for the bass to ambush. Look for docks also with spider webs and floating weed or mat around them. This gives additional cover and also shows that they have not been disturbed by the owner or fished recently. If you can find a quality dock with some of the characteristics above with also a boat in a boat lift or large pontoon boat beside it this will also increase your chances especially if the boats still have the covers on them showing they haven't been used for awhile. After locating docks that hold bass remember and fish them for years to come because usually there will be a quality bass there or close by. I have done this on many dock's on different lakes that I fish and they have produced time and time again. When I am out fishing and especially in tournaments I always try to maximize my time on the water and put the odds in my favour for catching fish. Using the above guidelines help me and will help you choose better docks to fish and put bigger bass in the boat. See you out on the water and please practice catch and release. Blake Rankie