Need tips for fishing off a dock

[MidnightSun]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, I do not have a boat. I am going to go camping next week and I will be fishing off a dock by myself while the girlfriend is tanning

I need some tips for this particular kind of fishing.

Some contextual details :
- It is a river in Quebec (Val La Lièvre River if anybody is interested hehehe) Not a strong current at the level where I will be.
- Bass, pike and a bit of walleye inhabits that river
- The depth of the water near the dock is fortunately OK I think (5 to 6 feet). A good cast may get your lure in the 7 to 10 feet.

Thank you for your input! Really appreciate it.

[m130man]

early morning ,or sundown try topwater lures if the water is calm...otherwise try spinners, crankbaits . live bait works well also

[Wallyboss]

Lot's of bass also in that river, Like it was said b4 sunrise and sundown, casting topwater around an crankbaits. Jigs also will help you fish the bottom oriented fish.

[tallpaul]

I'm going to suggest tossing towards the end of the dock from shore and then along side it a couple of times before venturing out onto it. Sometimes they'll hold some nice fish. Something light that'll sink slow... maybe a wacky rigged worm, or... well, I'm not sure what to call it, but just a white minnow on a hook... I love that rig!

[Jimmy_1]

Before venturing out on the lake this Saturday, Canmoore and I did some "site" fishing off of my folks dock.

There were at least 10 Bass in the 2-3 lb range swimming around the dock. Even one impressive smallie made an appearance.

We decided NOT to cast off the docks in case we hooked into one.

Needless to say Canmoore and I caught way more bass while out walleye fishing...in every spot we went to (7-20 ft!!!). He even chided in that the lake seems to have an abundance of bass this year. I would tend to agree!

[wallyman]

Also look around for weighted bobbers. I found some in Oakville. They have about 1/2 oz of lead in them. They can cast out a long way. See if you can spot any weedbeds and toss a minnow into them.
As mentioned, before stepping on the dock cast out and let a worm sink our retreive in a jig. Just remember if you hook one drag it away from the dock as quick as you can.
Good luck.

[Netman]

Early morning and sun down has been mentioned but don't forget some of the biggest bass feed at night!!! If you have any surface lures like a jitterbug or a hula popper anything that makes noise. Toss it out and hang on cause all you'll hear is a splash and you can't see anything. You might even get some walleye at night.

Good luck.

[wallyman]

Use a single strand wire leader as well.

[CNs]

Most important


Know where the end of the dock is. walk up to the end AND STOP!

Falling off the dock is not such a good way of catching fish.

[Jimmy_1]

Most important


Know where the end of the dock is. walk up to the end AND STOP!

Falling off the dock is not such a good way of catching fish.

Sorry but that is funny!

Not sure what advice you want. Apart from not falling off, hitting boats with lures and ripping canvas covers is a no-no.....

Apart from that cast out in all directions with your favorite lures and do not be afraid to jig all around the dock.

[Carmine13]

making the furthest cast is not always the best, dont forget bass live in structure and so do all other fish so aim for structure and not the middle of the lake.

[setomonkey]

Fish close to the dock first, in case the lunker is hiding underneath. So don't go stomping to the end of the dock to launch a huge cast into the lake, try fishing with a jig or if you prefer live bait a worm, leech or minnow at the dock's edge. Try a few spots before switching to casting further.

Some of my biggest dock fish have come only a few feet away...

Mike