Looking for some different fishing areas… hit some docks. Skip a lure or bait under a dock and you might be surprised what you pull out! Docks, especially those with lights are excellent at night.
Many of these majestic old structures stand quietly weathering the elements and like an old dog wonder why you passed by without a second thought. Beneath their weathered old planks, lay logs, sticks, oysters, brush piles and bait. Hold on a minute, did you say bait? Yup that’s right, fish food… and where there’s bait there’s fish. As one of the most neglected yet productive fishing areas, never pass by without tossing a lure under or near this grand old man of the water.
As if they grow out of the water, docks turn up in all various shapes and sizes. Mostly constructed from wood, today’s docks are made from everything including, concrete, Styrofoam and hard plastics. Simple water walkways projecting from shore some are straight while others get rather elaborate; with platforms teeing off at the ends, built-in boat slips and lifts and some even have boat houses. Regardless of the construction they all have something in common and that’s fish.
For my part I have a fondness for old aged docks with long walkways that are not used very often. Others tricking my trigger are those having large boats tied at the ends and if they have both; I really get excited. Here’s a little something I’ve discovered about docks with large power boats. Boat owners in general dock their boats facing the same direction. So what’s important about this you ask? Essentially, every time they take the boat out, the prop wash creates a hole or depression in the sandy bottom. Can you guess what likes to lie in these little holes?
Ok, we know that docks hold fish but how do we get our lure underneath to waiting fish. It’s called “Skipping” which requires a special casting technique using more finesse than casting toward mangroves or shallow water grass flats. As a young angler and using both a baitcaster and spinning outfit; I took time and educated myself in the art of skipping lures and baits. It wasn’t the hardest thing ever attempted however; it did necessitate patience and plenty of practice.
Skipping is like skipping a stone. It’s basically a turnover cast, parallel to the water with very little shoulder action. It must be firm enough to project the lure underneath, but soft enough for a quiet entry. The most common mistake when skipping docks is trying to force the lure. The harder you throw the harder the lure hits the water; this usually causes it to dig-in as opposed to skipping. However you cast it’s the subtle approach that facilitates more accuracy resulting in fewer hang-ups. Regardless of your skipping proficiency; one this is predictable; when you fish docks, hang-ups are inevitably, so get used to it.
Be safety conscious and retrieve you hooks or lures. You certainly don’t want anyone and especially a child to become hooked because you carelessly left your lure or hook behind.
Next time you’re on the water don’t just drive by these noble fish attractors. Take time to visit that crusty of man of the water and drop a line.
Interested in fishing with a professional fishing and teaching guide? Captain Woody Gore’s fished Florida’s waters for over 50 years. Please call: 813-477-3814 or visit www.captainwoodygore.com.
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