How To Fish Docks (Everything You Need To Know)

From which docks hold all the fish, to which baits you should you throw, we're covering everything you need to know about dock fishing! Don't waste time fishing the wrong docks. Don't fish the pilings in the wrong order and catch less fish! Dock fishing is full of subtle nuances that really matter and today we're going to help you eliminate all the guess work. 

The next time you're going to fish around docks remember the fine details in today's video. Fish older docks. Fish corner docks and docks at the ends of long runs of similar structures. Focus on docks that are up off the water so you can skip back under them. When it comes to pilings, focus on the closest pilings to you first, then work your way to the farthest pilings.

Fishing docks requires some very unique gear. Below you'll find links to the exact baits we recommend. We've also included details like our favorite sizes, colors, and any rigging components you'll need. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

LARGE SWIMBAITS...

-Osprey 6" Tournament Talon: http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, Gizzard, TW Shad

-Storm Arashi Glide Bait: http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1

Colors: Threadfin Shad, Green Gill, Bluegill

WEEDLESS UNDERSPIN...

Bait- Big Bite Baits Pro Swimmer 4.8": https://bit.ly/3AeQsaS

Colors: Albino Shad, Smoky Gold Clear Silver

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer 1/4 oz 5/0: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

SHAKY HEAD...

Worm- Netbait T-Mac 6.5": http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Colors: Junebug, Green Pumpkin

Head- Canterbury 3/16 oz Shakey: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

WEIGHTLESS SENKO... 

Worm- Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blk Flake, Green Pump Watermelon Lam

Wacky Hook- Owner Jungle Wacky Weedless (1/0): https://bit.ly/2VKZl9U

NEKO RIG... 

Worm- Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blk Flake, Green Pump Watermelon Lam

Hook- Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Size 1: http://bit.ly/2kfdv37

Weight- Swagger Pagoda Nail 1/32: http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

JIGS.... 

Bait- Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig: http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

Colors: Brown Craw, The Go To

Trailer- Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver: http://bit.ly/2dR6CkP

DROPSHOT... 

Worm- Roboworm 6" Fat: http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

Colors: Desert Craw, MMIII

Hook- Owner Cover Shot 1/0: http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

BIG SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns FURY 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 30 lb Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

"BANG FOR THE BUCK" SENKO/NEKO RIG COMBO...

Rod- Shimano Expride 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Vanford 3000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Power Pro Braid 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 8 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

BUDGET JIG COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR? 

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

How To Catch Fish Around Docks: Summer Fishing Tips

If your lake has docks, the fish are under them right now! From bass and catfish down to the smallest baitfish, everything that swims relies on the shade of docks for safety and comfort in the Summer heat. Today Tim goes in-depth showing how to approach dock fishing, explains which docks are most likely to hold fish, and demonstrates some of his favorite ways to target them. 

You can spend years dialing in which pilings on which docks consistently hold fish. Anglers make entire bass fishing careers out of doing exactly that. But if you just want to go fishing and consistently catch fish there are some simple tips that will help you choose the right docks quickly. Focus on docks that stand alone. A dock by itself will often hold large numbers of fish that would otherwise spread out along a row of docks. Focus on docks with quick deep water access. If the dock is in deeper water than those around it, there are likely to be bigger fish underneath. 

Lastly, choose docks based on the type of fishing you plan to do. If you're fishing slowly with finesse baits target single docks or areas with limited numbers of docks. This will give you the confidence to fish methodically and really pick the docks apart. If you're fishing fast moving reaction baits then areas with a lot of docks will give you endless targets to throw to. While you'll make more casts per fish, the reaction bite is so fun that it often outweighs the alternatives. 

Our final tip is about skipping docks. You may have noticed Tim is able to do this effortlessly. While a skilled angler who practices can do this with virtually any reel, the "DC" reels make it simple for almost anyone to do. If you want to get serious about fishing docks, don't be afraid to try a DC to shorten the learning curve and make the fishing more fun from the start. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Tim recommends for Summer dock fishing. Of course you can dial in subtle details on your local lake but these baits and this equipment is what we use anywhere we go in the country when its time to target fish under docks. We've broken down the baits into reaction baits and slow moving baits to help you make the best choices. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Tim's #1 Bait Today... 

Swimbait- Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.8" (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer 1/4 oz with 5/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Fast Moving Baits... 

-Damiki BTC Squarebill Crankbait: https://bit.ly/35yagXK

(Threadfin Flash, Moss Back, Real Shad)

-Teckel Kick Knocker Topwater: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

(Bone, Bluegill, Chart Shiner)

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2 Frog: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

(Ghost, TW Gill, Little Allen)

Slow Moving Baits... 

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin' Jig (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2amL3of

(Molting Craw, Hematoma, Go To)

-Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver Jig Trailer: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

(Green Pumpkin Red, Hematoma, Tramp Stamp)

-Yamamoto Senko 5": http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

(Green Pumpkin, Watermelon/Green Pumpkin, JuneBug)

-Gamakatsu Superline EWG 4/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

-Netbait T-Mac Worm 6.5": http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

(Bama Bug, Green Pumpkin)

-Dirty Jigs Canterbury Shaky Head 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

DC Reels work great at every price point. As you move up to higher end equipment the reels become stronger and smoother but the technology that aids your ability to skip works throughout the line. Also, when dock fishing it is recommended to use an HG (high gear 7:1) or XG (Extra High Gear 8:1) to help you pull the fish out of the docks quickly before they tangle in the pilings. 

High End DC: Shimano Metanium DC: http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Mid-Range DC: Shimano Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Budget DC: Shimano SLX 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Excellent All-Around Combo For Docks... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2R4f2Ud

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 14 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Dock Fishing In The Heat - Everything You Need To Know

Summer bass love to hide in shade so today we're taking an in-depth look at fishing docks for bass. Matt explains which docks hold the best fish, how to find the key spots, and then shows his actual dock fishing box and explains why each bait deserves to be there. If you have any questions about catching bass in the heat around docks and overhead cover, this video will answer them!

Some anglers consistently catch bigger fish around docks than others. This is because they understand what makes a "high percentage" dock. If you want to become a better dock fisherman take the information in this video to heart and began looking at the docks in a systematic way. Which docks are transitional? Which docks cast larger shadows? Which docks reach farther into the open? When you begin making intentional moves you'll start catching more fish, even before you start incorporating some of Matt's confidence baits.

Every once in a while we get a video where Matt opens up a dedicated Plano and lets everyone peek inside. Today he opens his "Dock Box" and he's not holding anything back. From Buzzbaits that can be skipped, to slow falling creatures, he explains every trick he uses to pull big bass from the shadows all Summer long.

The baits in order of appearance in the box...

-D&M Slow Roller Buzzbait (Red Bug 1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2t7BMKt

-Dirty Jigs Pro Buzz (Blue Glimmer): http://bit.ly/2cWI6if

-River2Sea D Walker 120 Buzz trailer (PB Red): http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Lucky Craft LV-500 Lipless (Ghost Minnow, Golden Shiner): http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

-River2Sea Biggie Papa Squarebill (Abalone Shad, TS Minnow): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

-Lucky Craft 1.5 Squarebill (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

-6th Sense Crush 50 Squarebill (4k Shad): http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

-Azuma Square Boss Crank (Grand Shad): http://bit.ly/2zfBwuK

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2 (Little Allen): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

-Jackall Gavacho (Chart Strike Gill): http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

-Canterbury Shaky Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

-Netbait T-Mac Worm (Kentucky Craw, Junebug): http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

-Owner Flashy Swimmer Underspin (5/0 hook 1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

-Keitech 4.8" Fat Swimbait (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Swagger Tungsten 3/16 oz Vader Weight: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

-Gamakatsu EWG 4/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

-Keitech Crazy Flapper 4.4 (Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Fire): http://bit.ly/2c3cXrp

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig 5/16 oz (Alabama Craw): http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

-Yamamoto Double Tail Grub 4" (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Plano 3700 Stowaway Pro Latch: http://bit.ly/2rFRJpk

Matt's All-Around Dock Combo...

Rod- G Loomis GLX 843C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- 40 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget-Friendly All-Around Dock Combo...

Rod- SLX 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm