Old Hickory Question

[butts0907]

Have the bass moved to the docks yet? I heard they would when the heat came...and I think the heat has come!! If they have, is a worm or a lizard the best option?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Buccaneer]

The bass are in the docks year round on Old Hickory. Air temp is sure hot, but water temps on Sat & Sun from 0400 until 1100 in the mid-lake, Spencer down to Bluegrass, was 72 - 75 degrees. Amazingly cool after 15 days of 90 plus heat and searing sunshine. They are still pulling 28000 cfs at the OH dam and upstream Cordell Hull and Wolf Creek are flowing hard so the cooler water has kept running into the system. It looks to me like the grass is a little late and appears thinner in most of my normal hot spots.

[Travis C.]

Those bass are there year round but man you have cracked open a whole can of worms there butts.

Boat docks in my experience can be a big reward or a big waste of time if you don't pay attention to details. Not all are created equal so don't try to fish everyone. The right ones in the right places give cover, shade and ambush places for some big girls.

I'd drive by them if they are in a row and watch the depth finder closely. If it is 12ft all along the row the suddenly infront of one dock drops to 14ft then fish that one first. Also, before you get to the bank pay attention to the shore behind it. If it is flat more than likey will be flat under it or sloped if its sloped. Look for little things like, if there is lawn chairs and a light then someone probably sunk a tree. That makes that dock unique. Always fish ones on points and ones at the ends of long rows of docks and be aware of the shade lines on docks because will position the fish. Another good one is the obvious lone dock with none around. Some may not drive way back in a cove to fish it but if there is no other cover from the sun around they may have just missed out on a keeper.

You can pattern fish on them like anything else.

Baits: what ever you can fish the whole dock with sides, posts, under and etc. It may be more than one. A tube is a good choice because it can be skipped under and let sink. Jig, worm and crankbait is good too. A square bill tuned to run not straight can run under the edge of the dock banging the posts on the way out. After it hits off the post....watch out. Stick with bluegill and crawfish colors.

Sorry so long but dock fishing is a whole lot more in depth if you want to catch quality fish than just pulling up to one and fishing it. I have caught lots of big fish off the right docks on Old Hickory.

I'll attach a boat dock fish pic.

[butts0907]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

Those bass are there year round but man you have cracked open a whole can of worms there butts.

Boat docks in my experience can be a big reward or a big waste of time if you don't pay attention to details. Not all are created equal so don't try to fish everyone. The right ones in the right places give cover, shade and ambush places for some big girls.

I'd drive by them if they are in a row and watch the depth finder closely. If it is 12ft all along the row the suddenly infront of one dock drops to 14ft then fish that one first. Also, before you get to the bank pay attention to the shore behind it. If it is flat more than likey will be flat under it or sloped if its sloped. Look for little things like, if there is lawn chairs and a light then someone probably sunk a tree. That makes that dock unique. Always fish ones on points and ones at the ends of long rows of docks and be aware of the shade lines on docks because will position the fish. Another good one is the obvious lone dock with none around. Some may not drive way back in a cove to fish it but if there is no other cover from the sun around they may have just missed out on a keeper.

You can pattern fish on them like anything else.

Baits: what ever you can fish the whole dock with sides, posts, under and etc. It may be more than one. A tube is a good choice because it can be skipped under and let sink. Jig, worm and crankbait is good too. A square bill tuned to run not straight can run under the edge of the dock banging the posts on the way out. After it hits off the post....watch out. Stick with bluegill and crawfish colors.

Sorry so long but dock fishing is a whole lot more in depth if you want to catch quality fish than just pulling up to one and fishing it. I have caught lots of big fish off the right docks on Old Hickory.

I'll attach a boat dock fish pic.

Travis,

First of all, I freakin' love this forum. I haven't posted a whole lot so far (and my previous posts have been more questions than anything), but the info I've gotten from you and others has been incredible and I appreciate y'all sharing.

And no need to apologize for the response. That is great info and something I had never considered before. In the past, when I fished docks, I would just pull up to one and start fishing with the idea that a dock is cover and bass like cover. But I'll do a bit more recon now before deciding where to begin. And I also appreciate the insight on what to use. My one question, however, is how to you "tune" a crankbait to not run straight??

Again, I really appreciate the info!!

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by butts0907

My one question, however, is how to you "tune" a crankbait to not run straight??

Again, I really appreciate the info!!

The place where your split ring connects to the bill is called a pull point. That piece of wire or ring head screw or whichever it is on the bill is what gets adjusted.

You bend the pull point in the direction you "want" the bait to run. IF it's running left bend it right. Put one side of pliers on the pull point other on the outside of your bill then move slightly. Always want to check periodically to make sure the bait is running straight in the water unless special situations are present like docks, retaining walls, floating grass etc.

If not running right it won't do what it's designed or go as deep as intended. After big fish, rocks, hangups and even out of the package it needs to be checked.