Because they feature cover and forage, docks allow bass to recover from the rigors of the spawn at their normally lethargic post-spawn pace. Work them slowly. (Photo by David A. Brown)
August 13, 2024
By David A. Brown
No matter the fish, no matter the climate and no matter the habitat, hatching and rearing fry is a formidable task. Just ask any mama largemouth. Although immature “hatchlings” emerge shortly after the actual spawn, tired, emaciated females need safe quarters in which to rest and regain their strength.
Options vary by fishery, but docks represent one of the most consistently reliable post-spawn habitats. From simple pole docks to floating structures with tie-down cables and elevated walkways to marinas with multiple slips and piers, the broad appeal is undeniable.
“I feel like they offer so much for the fish,” says Bassmaster Elite angler Wes Logan. “Docks have shade, cover and feeding opportunities. The fish can be in the shade and have plenty to eat while they’re recovering from the spawn.”
Contrasting the pre-spawn period, when the need to feed plus the growing tinges of territorial aggression have the fish fired up and feeling snappy, Logan describes post-spawners as generally lethargic. You might catch them on the same docks you fished during the pre-spawn, but expect it all to come at a different pace.
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“The big females have been through a very rigorous time, so they just want to lay around for a couple of days after the spawn,” says Logan. “They don’t want to chase; they’ll just set up by a piling and wait for an opportunity to feed.”
Don’t rule out topwaters. If fish don’t respond to anything else you’re throwing, a surface bait may garner a reaction strike. (Photo by David A. Brown) Interestingly, it’s the males that are on nursery duty. Fry hatch with a certain amount of instinctive survival know-how, but nature balances their inexperience by tasking males with 24/7 overwatch. Known as fry guarding, this protective detail keeps the next generation safe from crappies, bluegills, turtles and other bass.
Fry guarding may occur anywhere from grass lines to laydowns. The adult males simply round up the little ones and tuck them into or under available cover. Docks standing close to spawning grounds prove doubly attractive by attracting the recuperating females, as well as the babysitting males.
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PRIME REAL ESTATE So, what makes a good dock? The fish may show some preference for size or design, but location typically tops the criteria. Specifically, docks located along spawning migration routes tend to see the most bass because they offer pit stops for fish on their way to (pre-spawn) and from (post-spawn) the bedding areas.
“You want to look for those docks in transition areas—in the backs of pockets or bays—and heading out to the main body of water where the fish are going to spend their summer,” says Logan. “Also, main-lake points and anywhere it transitions from shallow to deep can be attractive to post-spawners.”
Anywhere along “the ditch”—the creek or pocket channel that fish travel to enter/exit the spawning areas—could prove productive, but docks situated on channel swing banks usually excel. Deep water that’s close to shallow spawning flats means a shorter swim from more secure depths. After the spawn, those desirable docks are just a short way from the beds.
One of the benefits of living on waterfront property is the instant angling access. Dock owners may very well fish for bass, but crappies and other panfish present a popular option with a clear post-spawn connection.
If you’re on the hunt, look for docks with rod holders, automated fish feeders, chairs, cleaning tables and tackle boxes, as this indicates angling activity. More importantly, such activity often means the owners have sunk brush piles or other fish attractors within easy reach. (Hint: Thin cords running into the water are a good sign that someone has sunk a fish attractor that they don’t want to lose.)
There are times of the year when bass will directly relate to brush piles, but Logan says the post-spawn finds a more transactional relationship.
“It’s good to have brush piles around docks, but I feel like it’s more for feeding opportunities,” says Logan. “There’s usually a lot of bream, crappies and crawfish on those brush piles, so those post-spawners can just swim over to one and eat something.”
No question, a pocket or creek lined with docks offers high potential. On the flipside, bass will disperse when they can, so a bunch of docks usually means a lot of looking. Find a spawning area with only a few structures, and you’re more likely to find concentrations of post-spawners.
Creature baits rank high on the list of post-spawn largemouth enticements. Colors should mimic what the bass are feeding on. (Photo by David A. Brown) Given the general post-spawn lethargy, Logan prefers flipping—a target-oriented deal that allows him to pick apart the sweet spots. Logan’s go-to is a 1/2- to 3/8-ounce Ark dock jig with a Zoom Super Chunk trailer.
As for colors, Logan keeps it simple. “Most of the time, you’re trying mimic bream, so I stick with the natural colors like green pumpkin and watermelon.”
On the reaction side, Logan occasionally parallels a deeper dock’s front edge with a jerkbait. Also, early mornings often find post-spawners on the edges, where they’ll clobber a buzzbait or a topwater.
If you encounter warm, cloudy conditions, a nice afternoon breeze seems to perk up the post-spawners. Elite pro Keith Combs often probes dock perimeters or the shadows beneath with a 1/2-ounce Strike King Tungsten Thunder Cricket. His choice of trailer depends on what he wants his bladed jig to accomplish.
“Most of the time, I’ll use a Strike King Blade Minnow,” he says. “But if I want to slow down or raise up that bait without going to a 3/8-ounce, I’ll put a Strike King Menace on there and it will come up 6 inches on the same retrieve.”
If the bite is tough, a wacky rig’s slow, taunting fall will tempt some of those hesitant fish, particularly fry guarders. If more of your bites are coming near the bottom, a Neko rig or a shaky head will do the job. Flukes are another great option for fry guards.
SKIP IT GOOD Key pointers for skipping baits under docks. Mastering how to skip a lure under a dock will increase your catch rate. (Photo by David A. Brown) Skipping is one of the most popular dock fishing tactics, but it’s also one of the most intimidating. Follow these words of wisdom to avoid psyching yourself out.
Casting Style : The more time you spend trying to calculate the right angle for a sidearm line drive, the less likely you are to nail the cast. A smooth sidearm roll cast best serves the objective.Rod Choice: You’ll want a medium-heavy model with a soft tip for firing a bait under cover and enough backbone to extract a fish. A 6-foot-10-inch to 7-foot length usually will suffice. It’s all relative to angler height and reach.Line It Up : A full spool tends to loosen near the top, so don’t burden yourself with more line than you need. In most cases, 100 feet of line is plenty for dock skipping, so fill your spool to about 75 percent of its capacity and you’ll experience fewer backlashes.Bait Prep: For skipping jigs, Bassmaster Elite angler Seth Feider threads his trailer onto the hook, as opposed to hanging it. This tighter connection creates a flatter edge and, therefore, more bait surface for better skipping.Dock Rules 1. Don’t Fish Behind ’Em Describing a common post-spawn mistake, bass pro Wes Logan warns about fishing too fast and not fishing the right docks.
“People may go all the way to the back of a pocket and lose hope because the fish have already spawned and left,” says Logan. “But if you get into those transition areas, you’ll have a better chance at catching them.”
2. Read the Shadows Once a post-spawner sets up on a dock, it’ll stay there for several days. Early mornings and cloudy, dim conditions may find them on the outskirts, while sunny times push them into the shadows. To that point, a dock’s deepest reaches will always offer shade, but as the sun’s position changes throughout the day, shadow lines shift and bass will favor one side of the dock or the other.
3. Take the Tough Shots Sulking post-spawners often settle into a dock’s most well-entrenched areas—behind walkways, under dock cables—and the only chance of getting bit means casting into the most daunting spots. Don’t be intimidated. Worry first about getting the bite, then worry about getting the fish out.
This article was featured in the June-July 2024 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe .
