There are a lot of Docks

I got out this morning shooting some docks using plastic baits mainly bubble gum and Bobby Garland baby shad.
And not one bite, you know as I was getting all the sun I needed it dawned on me I could fish these docks a month and not do very good .
I sent my Garmin 106 back for return or repair 2 weeks ago but Im convinced without side imaging Im just burning daylite.
Was a pretty day tho, and the little lake and River was all mine not another boat on the water, would have been nice to catch a few crappie for lunch tho.
Best/joe

Attachment 436288Attachment 436289Attachment 436290

Beautiful day on the water.

Lots of things to keep in mind, one of which is that we’re half a country apart. But a lot of things are the same, one of which is moon phase. I also went this morning for a short trip to visit my pet fish . These are bluegill that release and go back to on a regular basis. I have a pattern that seems to work when they’re in a good mood. Today was not one of those days. Even on off days I’ll get a few smalls and see some fish activity from other fish feeding and Gar popping the surface. The conditions were perfect, no wind and glassy water. The word of the day was nothing. No fish activity, no Gar, and no smalls. I fished just over an hour and got bumped once. End of story. I can’t explain why but my pet fish didn’t want to visit today either. My point is to not judge the place you fished by todays results and write it off. I believe in a couple of weeks when the moon cycles around to be more on the full side instead of the new that your results may be much better. Let us know if you get to go and find a better day when you do.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Lots of things to keep in mind, one of which is that we’re half a country apart. But a lot of things are the same, one of which is moon phase. I also went this morning for a short trip to visit my pet fish . These are bluegill that release and go back to on a regular basis. I have a pattern that seems to work when they’re in a good mood. Today was not one of those days. Even on off days I’ll get a few smalls and see some fish activity from other fish feeding and Gar popping the surface. The conditions were perfect, no wind and glassy water. The word of the day was nothing. No fish activity, no Gar, and no smalls. I fished just over an hour and got bumped once. End of story. I can’t explain why but my pet fish didn’t want to visit today either. My point is to not judge the place you fished by todays results and write it off. I believe in a couple of weeks when the moon cycles around to be more on the full side instead of the new that your results may be much better. Let us know if you get to go and find a better day when you do.

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Firm believer in fishing according to the moon phase. Ever since I have been planning my trips around the lunar feeding chart it has been met with much more success. I even backlogged to my good days when I wasn’t using it and it showed it to be a good feeding on those days so I definitely believe there is something to it.


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If any dock there is past 10 foot deep with shade like that …..some of them are full of fish is my bet
The trick on many lakes is EXACTLY what dock is the best …we go by tons and never slow down
Reduce your jig to a 1/32 and use light line and pitch it way back in the darkest shade
Watch for a slack line on the fall …luck to ya

:hesaid

Ketchn is spot on. I know for me the docks I shoot I couldn’t catch zilch shooting a heavy jig went down to a 1/48 oz and 1/64 oz starting catching like crazy consistently.


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Good looking stretch of docks.

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Good looking stretch of docks.

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made me want to pitch up under one or 2 really bad when I saw em .....

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Originally Posted by TBass89

Ketchn is spot on. I know for me the docks I shoot I couldn’t catch zilch shooting a heavy jig went down to a 1/48 oz and 1/64 oz starting catching like crazy consistently.


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Shooting baits that light is going to take some practice, Rods I have now aint gonna cut it but I have coming in the mail a BnM dock shooter and the Lews Dock shooter.
Ill pick up some light baits....................Best/joe

Well I just read my emails and it looks like Amazon has issued a refund for the Garmin 106, now I need a unit and I dont care what brand with side imaging a good one.
Not sure i care about Livescope right now I can buy a transducer for that later if I want, question is what am I looking for ?
Shooting docks is the plan where I fish this little lake[400 acres] is full of docks, and about 4 miles of river dock to dock both sides.
Best/joe

Hummingbird side scan is hard to top this is a floating dock had a few on it that day Attachment 436365


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What model is that Hummingbird, sure has good clarity.
joe

If you think you will go Livescope at some point I would consider buying a Garmin Livescope compatible unit now. Maybe save you some money and from having to buy and learn another unit later. All major brands have decent enough side imaging but for live technology Garmin is leading the pack. That is what I did. I bought my 93sv UHD unit knowing it was Livescope compatible and used it until I could save and afford Livescope to add to it. :twocents

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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

If you think you will go Livescope at some point I would consider buying a Garmin Livescope compatible unit now. Maybe save you some money and from having to buy and learn another unit later. All major brands have decent enough side imaging but for live technology Garmin is leading the pack. That is what I did. I bought my 93sv UHD unit knowing it was Livescope compatible and used it until I could save and afford Livescope to add to it. :twocents

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93sv UHD is on my short list.
best/joe

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Originally Posted by ~Joe~

What model is that Hummingbird, sure has good clarity.
joe

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That was a gen 1 helix gen 4 are a lot better Attachment 436376don’t have any pics of docks with the 4 on my phone but this is a bluegill bed an you can count the bluegill in it I’d buy whatever you feel comfortable with they all have good points an bad points


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Originally Posted by ~Joe~

Shooting baits that light is going to take some practice, Rods I have now aint gonna cut it but I have coming in the mail a BnM dock shooter and the Lews Dock shooter.
Ill pick up some light baits....................Best/joe

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Yes sir it definitely took some practice for me as well my go to rod has been a 5ft ugly stick single piece it’s been working really well for me but I also have the advantage of shooting low to the water from my kayak. Some baits I have found to be very effective on the 1/48 and 1/64 oz are the itty bitty swimr and itty bitty slab huntr both by Bobby garland.
Best to you as well sounds like you have some nice rods coming in!

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Lots of things to keep in mind, one of which is that we’re half a country apart. But a lot of things are the same, one of which is moon phase. I also went this morning for a short trip to visit my pet fish . These are bluegill that release and go back to on a regular basis. I have a pattern that seems to work when they’re in a good mood. Today was not one of those days. Even on off days I’ll get a few smalls and see some fish activity from other fish feeding and Gar popping the surface. The conditions were perfect, no wind and glassy water. The word of the day was nothing. No fish activity, no Gar, and no smalls. I fished just over an hour and got bumped once. End of story. I can’t explain why but my pet fish didn’t want to visit today either. My point is to not judge the place you fished by todays results and write it off. I believe in a couple of weeks when the moon cycles around to be more on the full side instead of the new that your results may be much better. Let us know if you get to go and find a better day when you do.

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This post just proves how off my game is lately. In the last few lines I refer to the moon phase being on the new moon, or the dark of the moon. Then I walked outside with my beasts last night and saw a full moon hanging overhead. OK, I’m dumb. Right now I’m clueless as to why I blanked my last trip out. I may have lots of good trips to my credit but the fish just got one more mark in their column.


T bass, on the subject of shooting light jigs, it’s a rabbit hole. Most of my freshwater fishing in the last few years has been with less than 4lb line, mostly 2lb, and jigs less than 1/32 and mostly 1/43. You’ll find a rod/reel/line combo that will outshine the rest of what you own and it may not be a mid or high end. I haven’t spent $100 for any rod or reel yet. Your best investment is going to be time on the water with a tiny rig in your hand. I learn more when I’m alone, less input and conversation helps me concentrate.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

This post just proves how off my game is lately. In the last few lines I refer to the moon phase being on the new moon, or the dark of the moon. Then I walked outside with my beasts last night and saw a full moon hanging overhead. OK, I’m dumb. Right now I’m clueless as to why I blanked my last trip out. I may have lots of good trips to my credit but the fish just got one more mark in their column.


T bass, on the subject of shooting light jigs, it’s a rabbit hole. Most of my freshwater fishing in the last few years has been with less than 4lb line, mostly 2lb, and jigs less than 1/32 and mostly 1/43. You’ll find a rod/reel/line combo that will outshine the rest of what you own and it may not be a mid or high end. I haven’t spent $100 for any rod or reel yet. Your best investment is going to be time on the water with a tiny rig in your hand. I learn more when I’m alone, less input and conversation helps me concentrate.

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Agreed time on the water is the best way to learn and I am the same I prefer going solo which is what I do 99% of the time. All my rods and reels come from Walmart have yet to spend $100 on a set not saying I wouldn’t but it’s the budget I live in for now. Fishing is my passion and definitely a form of therapy for me that most don’t understand which is why I love gettin on here in between time on the water.


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a used helix model is likely the way to go , get it cheap that way , si the docks and figure what leg of the dock has fish and or what dock and pitch that jig .
Si is your friend when it comes to under the docks .

Speaking of light jigs............. I dont know where I can buy anything lighter than this, my math aint worth a dern but using cowboy rithmatic I say this is pretty close to 1/16th ?
Best/joe
Attachment 436449

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Originally Posted by ~Joe~

Speaking of light jigs............. I dont know where I can buy anything lighter than this, my math aint worth a dern but using cowboy rithmatic I say this is pretty close to 1/16th ?
Best/joe
Attachment 436449

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I would say that seems correct! I’ve been wanting to try ramble tackle jigs and the go as low as 1/32. Idk how they do but about to try ‘em once I move and can fish again
Hand Tied Crappie Jigs - Made in the USA - Money back Guarantee
– Ramble Tamble Tackle


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