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Ok Fellas,
I'm thinking about taking my son to Oconee this Friday after school and trying to shoot some docks, This is something he and I have never done:dono , SO i'd love to hear the DO's and Don'ts , I need to know the best rod and reel combo, line size, Jig size and color. What to look for when selecting a dock, water depth and dock size and how to approach the dock without spooking the fish. Any and all info will truly be helpful and appreciated.
Going with someone that's good at it letting them show you will greatly shorten the learning curve. I teach people how to do it on lake Jackson. My evening trips are real cheap and you'll learn more in those few hours than you will in years on your own.
Well...here goes...I don't shoot docks much, but when I do, i go with one of the three best dock shooters on here...Ricky Willis, Joe Pratenza or Richard Malcom...all here on crappie.com...Earl...We've never shot docks together..so well..luv ya man!!!
5 -5.5 FT ROD LIKE A BASS PRO MICRO LITE IM6....SMALL OPEN FACED REEL LIKE BROWNING ...4 LB HI VIZ LINE...1/24 JELLY BODIED FEATHER TAIL JIG.."SKIPS BETTER" LIKE SUGAR BUGS OR JIFFY JIGS...1/24 CAUSE OF THE FALL RATE.... LOCATE DOCKS CLOSE TO DEEPER WATER RIGHT NOW AND FISH ANYTIME AFTER THE SUN GETS HIGHER....SHOOT IT AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE....LET IT FALL ...FALL...FALL...JIG IT BACK TO YA AND WHAM! NOW OF COURSE....YOU HAVE TO ......
1. SIT IN A CHAIR AND CRACK UR GARAGE DOOR 4" AND GET REAL GOOD AT SHOOTIN THAT JIG BEFORE YA GO....
2. BUY LOTS OF JIGS!!! CAUSE OCONEE DOCKS WILL STEAL EM FROM YA!!!
3. PRACTICE YOUR JIG TYING LOOP KNOT SKILLS CAUSE ...WELL...YOU KNOW...
SHOOTIN DOCKS IS FUN ONCE YOU LEARN HOW....RICKY MADE ME FEEL LIKE A FOOL WHEN HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO DO IT.."BEEN DOIN IT FOR 30 YEARS MAN"....YEAH...UH ..I CAN SEE THAT...HE OUT FISHED ME 10 TO ONE THAT DAY....
RICHARD "JIGSLINGER" SLAB SLOBBER MAN TAUGHT ME ALOT ABOUT JACKSON DOCKS AND SHOOTING BRIDGE PILINGS...THAT'S AWESOME WHEN THE WATER IS AT HE RIGHT LEVEL...
AND THEN THERE'S JOE....i JUST REFER TO HIM AS "NINJA" ....SHOOT DOCKS IS ALL HE DOES ! RUN AND GUN! GOT A BIGGER MILK RUN OF DOCKS ON THREE DIFFERENT LAKES THAN MAYFIELD DAIRY!
IT'S FUN! LIKE BASS FISHING WHEN THEY'RE BITING LIKE CRAZY!!!! PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.....IT'S LIKE GOLF....MORE YA KNOW..BETTER YA ARE....HMMM..MAYBE I SHOULD GET RICKY, RICHARD, AND JOE TO PLAY GOLF ONE DAY....THEN I'LL GET MY REVENGE!!!! HAHAHAHAH!
I can tell ya what I use :
5'6" - 6'6" fast action tip rod w/reel that balances well with rod length
6lb test Vicious Panfish hi-vis line
1/16oz weedless jighead
Plastic bodies include : CrappiePro solid body tubes - SouthernPro Crappie Slug - Panfish Assassins - custom poured minnow shaped bodies ... colors are personal choice, but I like the colors of the body & tail to contrast, and most colors + a chartreuse tail takes care of that.
I look for stationary docks (on poles) with deep water along the front edge ... minner buckets, fish traps or baskets hanging off the dock ... rod holders mounted on dock ... wire or rope hanging down in water (indicating possible tree hanging off dock) ... or any obvious sign that people fish off the dock. Also ... if you see a dock with these signs/things, but it's in shallow water, then move out from the dock a distance of a good cast & see if there's sunken brush out there. Some dock owners drop brush away from their docks, especially if the water under the dock is rarely deep enough to draw the Crappie up under it.
Unless the water is real clear or real shallow ... you can usually get right next to the dock, or even up in the boat slip (w/permission) to shoot your jig under them.
The bigger the dock, and the closer to the water's surface it is, the greater the amount of shade produced ... the shade is also "darker" when the dock is close to the surface.
Biggest Don'ts : tying off to dock, getting out onto the dock, or pulling into boat slip w/o owners permission.
If the outer dock posts are in deep water (>10ft) and in the shade of the dock or treeline ... try Vertical Casting those posts. Here's an explanation of what I call "Vertical Casting" :
http://www.crappie.com/articles/crappiepappy.htm
You might even want to read my posts in this thread : http://www.crappie.com/crappie/showt...Tecnique/page2 ... to get some idea on how to shoot a dock. A little backyard/driveway practice, before you go, will help keep you from making too many errant shots & possibly damaging the dock owners property & equipment.
Also of note : hits from Crappie will likely be one of two types ... either a single short bounce in the line, or your line will suddenly go slack (and your jig is not on bottom). Don't think about it, and don't wait to feel the fish pull the rod tip ... SET THE HOOK, immediately !!
Hope some of this helps you & your boy git'em !!
... cp :kewl
All this is very good info. I wish CDC was around when i started. It would have saved a lot.of trial and error. If you learn how to flip rather than shoot, your back will feel a lot better at the end of the day. Although, you will need to learn to shoot to the back of some docks.
Chadchester1 I was in your shoes back in January. I was new to dock shooting and fishing Jackson. I read the information posted online, on the forums, and on videos. I made a couple of trips to Jackson and did not catch a fish. I'm hard headed but finally I relented and called Jigslinger. We agreed on a date and met one Sunday after church for a half day trip on Jackson. That particular day the water was very high and muddy. I thought to myself "I want to see this guy catch fish in this stuff." We went to the first spot and immediately we started catching fish. When I went back by myself I was catching fish in those same places that I had been skunked before. The others here have given you some real good advice. However, if I had it to do over again I would call Jigslinger. Catching Crappie under docks is a hoot. You will love it.
what they said!!!!
Attachment 160557Attachment 160555
caught this under docks this past weekend . all but 3 were females and had eggs . some looked ready to lay and some were not .what do you all think ?????????????
In 1 hour I can have you shooting like a pro and catching fish Or it's free , now that's a heck of a deal. Golf pro crappie man couldn't tell somebody like me how to hit a golf ball in text , he'd have to show me. One Ben Franklin and you got it. Which basically covers my expenses that's it...and you get a lifetime of knowing how to catch crappie when no body else can year round.
Nice mess of fish Papasage, and thank you very much Jody and CP, for the info, this will be most helpful and will truly give me a head start, I know that it's gonna take some time keying in on docks that hold fish but that part of the fun, I just got two rods form ol,Cuz and will put the reals on them tomorrow so my son and I can start practicing tomorrow evening.
Thanks everyone for the input and 2@low8 is right, CDC just saved me a hole lot of money and time and I'm great full . So if there's anything I can do in return you guys please do not he sites to call.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jigslinger
Jig I'm not saying no but in need ol Mr franklin for gas money this weekend. I'm graduated from the school of hard knocks and don't mind taking a few bumps and bruises to learn . So I'll most definitely keep you in mind for the future.
Here's some tips to help you out Attachment 160563 watch where the lenght of line between the jig and rod tip is pointed this is incorrect and you'll shoot jig straight into the water about 3 ft from boat instead under dock.Attachment 160564 this is the correct way. Keep that line flat. Best rod is a bass pro tourny special 5.6 ultra lite. Ricky Willis and joe p. just turned me on to this rod a few weeks ago and it shoots effortlessly... Best rod I've ever used .
I know that dock. Caught some nice ones out from under it. That is where I first saw Mr. Joe Partenza. He pulled right up to the dock right beside me and then ask if I had caught any out from under it? Of course I said NO!
Most people I've taught do the first pic , which is why they can't get it under there very far if at all. Once they get that part down it's just timing between letting go of jig and letting go of line. In my mind it's like "ticktick" not "tick....tick" if that makes sense. If you shoot high your waiting to long to let go of line. If jig just falls in water your letting go of line to soon ... Like letting go of jig and line at the same time. I don't mind trying to tell someone how to do it . It's just easier to show them. I wish I could have just had someone show me how instead of spending 2 years trying to figure it out on my own. Especially the dock selection part.
:ThumbsUpQuote:
Originally Posted by bigfishheads
Countrytime you were right,ask it right as a question and you will get amazing responses:ThumbsUp.great thread:fish...by the way did I mention that Spider & Country ran away from Bass Pro when they heard I was coming:Rofl there were cops up and down 75 trying to figure out what was the rush:dono..luckily for me Cuz was there to save the day :HandsClapping (sort fact from fiction) really enjoyed meeting & hanging out with him,really great guy and very very helpful...thank's Wayne you helped to get that green friend of mine off to a good start in what to use and why...and I finally found someone worthy:highfive
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.
Once you figure it out fish like this will be norm of your adventures ... And it never gets old! I can catch 100 a day and still lay awake at night unable to sleep just thinking about the ones I'll catch tomorrow. This was yesterday at oconee http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/30/y8ygy6yp.jpg
Quick,
Cuz said that he saw you three at Bass Pro today, I'm sure y'all had fun, I hate I missed y'all . Hope no one got another speeding ticket "Countrytime", let me know if you did I may know someone that can help.
Jig,
Thanks for the tips and PM me your info, I'd like to go with you one day to see how you do things , I've never really fished Jackson so it might be worth it either way.
Yep Quick, Cuz was a good person to help your friend you had with you yesterday from Atlanta, him and Earl helped me alot with advice when I started long lining a few years ago. No Chad no more speeding tickets, and by the way people if you are in (Leon County) Tallahasee on 319 coming in,it is a speed trap. They will socket it to you seriously. Beware if you go to Talquin this way!!!! Wished I could give advice on dock shooting, but have not done it enough to qualify. The names mentioned are excellent shooters from what I have heard. Hope this thread goes a long ways, there is some great info to be had here.
PS Quick glad you and your friend visited James Jackson, I know he treated you right. A great person to buy crappie tackle from!
Be careful when shooting docks.
An Orlando man was recently arrested after he defecated in his own pants while admitting to police that the he shot up a public dock.
According to an arrest report published by TCPalm on Tuesday, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired near the Gifford Docks in Vero Beach at around 9:20 p.m. on April 9 and found 44-year-old Michael Johnston.
The Orlando man verified that he had been drinking and firing weapons, and gave the officer permission to search the trunk of his car for a .45 caliber black powder pistol and a .40 caliber Glock pistol. Johnston explained that he had consumed at least eight alcoholic beverages, but said that the two cans of Colt 45 had been “too many apparently!”
If n hed used a Jack Daniel Single Barrel there would be no dock left to speak of :Rofl:RoflQuote:
Originally Posted by Danbo
Was that Orlando man AKA"Slinger of the Jigs":Rofl
Yep Mr. Jackson is will always make your trip worth while :ThumbsUp:ThumbsUp... just one more tip given to me by Countrytime to whom I owe much for the help he has been over the past years.:notworthy Thanks Country:fishQuote:
Originally Posted by Countrytime
Practice before you go and then go with some one who knows what there doing. As mentioned above dark is better. Stained and muddy water tend to produce better than clearer water. As the spawn goes , shallow works too.
Thanks everyone for all the advice!! I had a blast and we caught several nice fish..sorry for the black and white picture. But I was sworn to secrecy on the jig color and where abouts of the docks.. Special Thanks to Mr Earl Kitchens and the Richard Malcom for the Rod and reel combo selections and shooting advice.
Sorry, but for some reason the picture didn't attach to the first thread.
This is the most action packed ways of catching crappie I know of. Man dose time fly when you're having fun.
Ain't nothin like it! And it never gets old I sometime shoot docks 7 days straight and still lay awake at night in anticipation thinking about the next day!
Ain't nothing like the THUMP!
THE THUMP !!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Iy-UPJlZM
Like I said. It's a hoot!
Everybody has talked about line size, rods and rod lengths, what about boat style and setup that is optimal when dock shooting?
Question#1 Do you prefer to shoot from a bass deck or a seat that sits down in the boat if you had a choice?
Question#2 Do you prefer a cable driven bass style trolling motor or a Power Drive/Terrova type trolling motor?
Question #3 Do you use only your outboard when shooting docks going from dock to dock in close promixity to each other or do you drop the trolling motor?
Question #4 Do you prefer a tiller handle, stick steer or a steering wheel driven outboard?
Question #5 How far do you position the boat from the dock when shooting?
For me :Quote:
Originally Posted by Countrytime
Q1 ... bass style boat/raised deck works fine (& it's the type I own)
Q2 ... cable drive, so I can instantly control the boat position/direction at all times
Q3 ... trolling motor down & usually troll between docks (have found many good spots that way)
Q4 ... steering wheel (all I've ever owned)
Q5 ... roughly 8-15ft away from the outside edge of the dock
... cp :kewl
i like the stick steering best as i don`t have to git up to run the big motor .a few years ago i didn`t mind it . my pontoon boat works ok with my wife .she can`t shoot docks but keeps a minnow out around the edge to catch the ones that follow the jig out and don`t hit it .
Crappie pappy, One more question, this time of year the water temp is 75-80 here in Ga. So when looking for docks to shoot is there a specific water depth , or is there such a thing as too shallow or to deep of dock?? I know more shade is better but when looking at a lake map and trying to find docks by maps to key in on what would you look for?