Docking A Bass Boat: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Dock fishing for bass is a popular pastime, and for good reason. Boat docks are the perfect dwelling for bass, offering shade and cover, as well as plentiful feeding opportunities. This makes them a great place to start for beginners and experienced anglers alike.

There are a few things to keep in mind when approaching a dock. First, look for wooden docks with rod holders, lights, trap doors, and small ropes hanging in the water, as these are more likely to be baited with brush. Second, consider the height of the dock; lower docks provide more shade and safety for the fish, while higher docks offer more angles and the ability to spot fish in shaded waters. Third, pay attention to the bank location and the time of year, as this will impact where the bass are likely to be. Finally, be mindful of your casting; avoid docks with boats on them unless you're an excellent caster, and come back later if there are people on the dock, as they may spook the fish.

Focus on isolated docks for bigger bass

While docks of any kind are great for bass fishing, if you're looking for bigger bass, it's best to seek out isolated docks. These are the small, ordinary floating boat docks that sit by themselves. While they may not look like much, the small amount of shade they offer can act as a magnet for bigger fish.

Isolated docks are also ideal because big bass don't like competition. They would rather not fight when it comes to feeding. So, while you can certainly catch bass on larger stretches of dock, the most consistent bass fishing tends to come from these more isolated structures.

When searching for isolated docks, look for those that are sitting on an isolated island with nothing around them. They may be on a relatively bare bank with no other docks within hundreds of yards. These docks are still worth targeting, as bass will always seek out cover and, if a bank is void of cover, they will congregate on a floating dock that's hanging out by itself. With these types of docks, you can catch several big bass in just a few casts.

To find isolated docks, you can use tools such as the Garmin Panoptix, which shoots a 20-degree wide angle and a 135-degree wide vertical angle to help you find outer edges of grass, root wads, hidden laydowns, stumps, rock piles and more. This way, you can see the cover ahead of time without spooking the fish.

Look for docks with wooden legs

When docking a bass boat, it's important to look for docks with wooden legs. While metal docks or those floating with the help of large blue jugs are not ideal for bass fishing, wooden docks are more natural-looking and tend to hold more fish. Metal legs usually don't hold fish as much as wooden ones, but if they are dark or brown in colour, they can be an exception to the rule.

Wooden docks with legs provide shade and cover, making the fish feel more secure. The lower the dock, the better, as these provide more shade and safety. Lower docks are also harder to fish, so they receive less pressure because fewer people can reach them. This increases your chances of catching more and better fish.

When fishing from a dock, it's important to consider the time of day. In the early morning, a quiet approach with a dark buzzbait or popper worked as slowly as possible is best. As the day progresses, switch to a spinnerbait, working it parallel to the wooden dock legs, and then trying bumping it off the legs or other structures if that doesn't work.

The type of water you're docking in is also a factor to consider when choosing adjustable screw legs for your bass boat. Aluminum screw legs are ideal for saltwater applications as they have additional corrosion-resistant properties.

Consider the bank location and season

When docking a bass boat, it's important to consider the bank layout and location. The "perfect" bank changes with the seasons, and bass behaviour varies depending on the time of year. Here are some tips for each season:

Spring

Before the spawning period, prespawn females often hang out near floating docks adjacent to flats with sandy bottoms. They tend to drift towards floating docks on or near secondary points or any irregularity. Both prespawners and post-spawn bass can be found near these docks.

Summer

Sharp depth changes during summer can attract bass, making primary points productive. Bass can feed on top of the points or slide off into deeper water when inactive, allowing them to conserve energy while feeding.

Autumn

In autumn, bass often use floating boat docks as strategic ambush points to catch shad during their annual migration. The best locations for bass fishing during this season tend to be near the backs of creeks.

Winter

In winter, bass inhabit structures with some verticality, such as bluff walls or hard river or creek channel bends. They reside in deeper water when inactive and slide up the water column when feeding.

Additionally, it's worth noting that bass behaviour also depends on water temperature. When the water temperature is at its coldest, most bass sit tightly on the bottom. As the water temperature warms up, bass tend to hang suspended underneath most boat docks.

Determine whether bass are suspended or on the bottom

To determine whether bass are suspended or on the bottom, there are a few key factors and techniques to consider.

Firstly, it's important to understand why bass suspend in the first place. Bass may suspend due to oxygen requirements, temperature preferences, food availability, or recovery from spawning or physical trauma. By understanding these underlying reasons, anglers can better predict when and where bass are likely to be suspended.

One way to determine if bass are suspended is by using electronics. Good electronics can help anglers visualize the thermocline level, which is the layer of rapidly declining water temperatures and oxygen supply. This level remains fairly consistent throughout a lake and is indicated by a band across the graph. Above this band, you may find bass and baitfish, while below it, the area is often oxygen-less. Additionally, electronics can help locate clouds of baitfish and suspended bass, especially during the summer when the thermocline is more defined.

Another technique to determine bass location is by observing their behavior. If you see schooling bass firing on bait away from the bottom and structure, it's a good indication that they are suspended. Bass generally relate to structure features such as main lake points, ledges, or humps, but during suspension, they may hold along the deeper side of these structures. They can often be found relating to edges, points, or drop-offs, where they are more catchable.

Clear water conditions also provide visual clues about bass behavior. In clear water, bass tend to look upward, serving both protective and feeding purposes. This makes them more susceptible to certain lures and presentations, such as underspins, which should be kept above the bass to maximize the chances of a bite.

In summary, by utilizing electronics, observing bass behavior, and considering water conditions and bass instincts, anglers can more effectively determine whether bass are suspended or on the bottom and adjust their techniques accordingly.

Use the right lures and casting techniques

When it comes to bass boat docks, the right lures and casting techniques are key to success. Here are some detailed instructions to help you maximise your efficiency and increase your chances of catching bass:

First, it's important to understand the behaviour of bass and their preference for certain environments. Bass are attracted to shade and cover, so look for docks with these features. Floating docks, for example, provide excellent shade and cover, making them ideal spots for bass fishing. Focus on isolated floating docks as big bass tend to avoid competition and prefer solitary feeding spots.

Additionally, consider the bank location and how it changes with the seasons. In spring, prespawn females can be found near floating docks adjacent to flats with sandy bottoms. During summer, bass are attracted to sharp depth changes, making primary points productive for fishing. In autumn, bass use floating docks near the backs of creeks as ambush points for catching shad. And in winter, they tend to inhabit structures with verticality, such as bluff walls or hard river or creek channel bends.

Now, let's talk about specific lures and casting techniques:

• Spinnerbaits: These are versatile lures that can be used in various situations. In the early morning, try using a dark buzzbait or popper worked as slowly as possible for a quiet approach. As the day progresses, switch to a spinnerbait and work it parallel to the dock legs. If that doesn't work, try bumping it off the dock legs or other structures to create a reaction from the bass.
• Flippin' jig with a trailer: If the bass are still not biting, or the weather is particularly hot, try using a flippin' jig with a light trailer. The lighter the jig, the slower it will fall, giving the bass more time to react. A scented trailer, such as scented plastics, can also help attract the bass.
• Neko rig: This is a great option for fishing under high docks with short, tight presentations. The erratic fall of a Neko rig along pilings can trigger bites that you may not get with a spinnerbait or worm. Adjust the weight according to the bass' behaviour – use heavier weights if they're aggressive, and lighter weights if they're more passive.
• Skipping lures: For docks with tight spaces, consider using skipping lures such as bladed jigs, wacky or Neko-rigged stick baits, or floating worms with light split shots. These lures can be skipped under the docks, allowing you to reach bass that may be hidden from plain sight.
• Crankbaits: When fishing around floating docks, tune your crankbaits to run far left or right. Make long casts parallel to the edges of the dock, allowing the crankbaits to swim under the edges and attract bass hiding in those areas.

Remember to always be respectful of people's property and maintain a safe distance from docks and boats to avoid accidents or spooking the fish. Good luck and tight lines!

Frequently asked questions