Dock Fishing on the River

Bassin Assassin

Launched from the Riverview Civic Center around noon yesterday. Water was really low, but coming in. Water temp was a constant 70 degrees throughout the day. I grew up fishing docks for bass and absolutely love it. I know of no more challenging way to fish. You have to be able to cast very accurately. Boat position is critical, especially when the water is moving. When you get the strike, you have to be able to play it well and get the fish out from under it. It is quite a thrill setting the hook on a good fish under a dock.

I began working docks on the south side going towards 301. There is often good shade on the south side of the river, especially under the docks. Picked up a snooklet on the 4" mullet in shadflash at 12:30pm. No more strikes before 301 so I took a ride to work docks on the south side past the power lines. Another snooklet at 12:48pm under a dock on the same lure. I was working the spook jr in bone in the shade between docks. Had a good strike, but a miss. Threw back out and caught another snooklet at 12:57pm. Switched to the shadflash and had a decent fish on, but she jumped at the boat and spit the lure.

Kept working docks going towards 75. Another snooklet under one of them on the sf at 1:15pm. Cast up under one dock and reeling it slowly back out. As soon as it cleared the dock it got crushed. Set the hook and this fish had some weight. It was digging hard all around the boat. It had to be a red and it was. After a great fight, I put the bogas on her at 1:20pm. She measured 26 1/4".



Over to the north side. Water was flowing good under these docks, but not as much shade. Was sure I would catch fish, but nothing on the 4 or 5 docks I fished. :huh Up to the shady south bank before 75. No strikes. under 75 and up to the first dock. Water was still kind of skinny. Cast way up under and it bringing it back. Almost to the boat and a snook jumped on it. I had very little line out and she went berserk. Adjusted my drag a bit. She came at the boat, jumped and spit my lure. She was probably mid-20s.

Again working the spook in the shade between the docks and caught another snooklet at 2:12pm. Up to the next dock. Cast up under it a couple of times and just brought it through. No luck. Cast up under it again with the sf and let it sink to the bottom. Hopped it off the bottom back to the boat. Just as it cleared the dock I felt resistance and set the hook. Another decent fish that kept digging. Another red that I got in the boat at 2:19pm. She measured 23 1/2".

Worked a few more docks on this south side, but no luck. Down river to the power lines to try for some trout in about 4' of water on the west side of the island. I was able to catch one just under the slot on the 3" new penny w/ chartreuse tail at 3:19pm. Worked the north side a bit including docks, but no luck. Down to the flat on the north side. Never really worked it that much and pretty shallow water so I threw the spook a bit. Picked up a rat red on it at 3:54pm.

Farther down now towards the Williams Bridge. Working around the island and ladies were crushing bait. I was catching ladies left and right on the 3" rootbeer mullet. Finally caught a troutlet at 4:49pm. Switched to the spook to avoid the ladies and caught another small trout at 5:02pm. Went over to the trestle and caught a small snook on the shadflash at 5:20pm. Getting dark so I headed back towards the ramp. Just past 301 and still had some daylight. Working the spook on the north side and caught a snooklet at 5:45pm. I headed for the ramp. It was a decent afternoon. It was nice to catch a couple of good reds.

Shadowcast

Awesome report!! I need to get out there with the fly rod!

cpr

You make me want to try that area again. Tight work.

Baja280

Man I have to acknowledge your reports, always informative. I wish I could fish as much as you.......

Bassin Assassin

Thanks guys.