My local lake has a lot of docks, many of which can be accessed on foot because they are sitting on public land.  Frequently, when I can only fish for a short stint, I like to walk around on and fish a series of docks, especially the ones that hold multiple boat lifts.  I have a ton of success with jigs. Also, with Texas rigged plastics, but to a lesser degree.

 

I've done research on this site regarding dock bait preferences, but most threads were at least a few years old.  I'm wondering if tactics and bait selections have evolved since these discussions.  What are your favorite dock plastics and what is your preferred rigging method with them?

 

I know that breaking off and losing fish is an obvious hazard to fishing around docks and boat lifts.  I almost always use straight braid, but it seems that I break off quite often while fishing docks/boat lifts.  Would I be better served by using a fluorocarbon leader?  I have spools of 12 lb and 17 lb fluorocarbon that I use for leaders, but not often.  Water clarity is not an issue, it is generally not clear water by the time the dock pattern sets up.  Do you think that 17 lb would be adequate for a jig rod, and the 12 lb for a spinning rod that's employing a soft plastic presentation?  I'm most concerned about leaving a big skirted jig in the jaw of a nice fish.  That bums me out much more for the fish than for my loss of tackle.

 

So, I'm looking for your bait/lure preferences around docks, and whether my thinking is correct on using fluorocarbon to reduce break-offs around these aluminum boat lifts.  I'm eager to hear opinions.  Thanks, all.

6 minutes ago, Pickle_Power said:

My local lake has a lot of docks, many of which can be accessed on foot because they are sitting on public land.  Frequently, when I can only fish for a short stint, I like to walk around on and fish a series of docks, especially the ones that hold multiple boat lifts.  I have a ton of success with jigs. Also, with Texas rigged plastics, but to a lesser degree.

 

I've done research on this site regarding dock bait preferences, but most threads were at least a few years old.  I'm wondering if tactics and bait selections have evolved since these discussions.  What are your favorite dock plastics and what is your preferred rigging method with them?

 

I know that breaking off and losing fish is an obvious hazard to fishing around docks and boat lifts.  I almost always use straight braid, but it seems that I break off quite often while fishing docks/boat lifts.  Would I be better served by using a fluorocarbon leader?  I have spools of 12 lb and 17 lb fluorocarbon that I use for leaders, but not often.  Water clarity is not an issue, it is generally not clear water by the time the dock pattern sets up.  Do you think that 17 lb would be adequate for a jig rod, and the 12 lb for a spinning rod that's employing a soft plastic presentation?  I'm most concerned about leaving a big skirted jig in the jaw of a nice fish.  That bums me out much more for the fish than for my loss of tackle.

 

So, I'm looking for your bait/lure preferences around docks, and whether my thinking is correct on using fluorocarbon to reduce break-offs around these aluminum boat lifts.  I'm eager to hear opinions.  Thanks, all.

fluorocarbon will definitely cut down on your line breaks, sharp metal will slice through that braid like butter with a little tension on it.

 

kind of different here but i like to throw a 3/8 green pumpkin jig with an electric shad rage swimmer, flip to the back of the slip and essentially tight line it back to the boat. They'll hammer it on the fall. Neko rig a 5 inch senko with a 1/16 nail weight and tight line it back to the boat, pop it occasionally. Something else i like to do is jig a spoon off the edge of the docks. not a lot of folks do that but i have had some pretty awesome days on the ol spoon so i wouldnt count it out.