Also a lot has to do with "dock anatomy " knowing where cross members you don't see are at , boat lift anatomy, all this is important especially on oconee . But school of hard knocks will show you this over time. If boat lift don't have a boat and lowered down there will be straps under the water you can't see. If boat lift has floats ..the middle is clear and good spot to catch a fish or 3 or 4 ... But the right and left side will have a chain that will steal your jig if shoot up through there. Pontoons sitting on the water can't ever be passed up ... Especially if there sitting on 10 + feet of water . Darkness is the main thing your looking for . If a dock is facing east it usely is not good early morning because sunlight is getting under it . Come back to those after lunch. They will be in the darkest spot you can find . Some docks are boarded up on 3 sides but have one side you can get in. these are best because most of the day it's as dark as sack full of black cats under there . Darkness is a main key , I know what time to go to what dock based on where the sun is at any given time.