Fishin' from the dock - suggestions?

[engagechad]

Hey all, I've never really posted here but I lurk and learn from you all.

My family has a place on Meachums creek

37.609591,-76.458771 - Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=37.609591,-76.458771&num=1&t=h&sll=37.606191,-76.459329&sspn=0.008925,0.011201&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.609557,-76.458621&spn=0.008924,0.011201&z=16)

I don't think I'll be able to take the boat out, but I still like to fish whenever I can. I usually just use bottom rigs with squid strips. I'll occasionally catch keeper croaker but thats about it and I'd like to try changing it up.

I'd like to know if any of you have any ideas for spicing up a day of slightly uneventful dock fishing!?

I'd like to try different baits or lures or whatever, but I am very much aware that there is little to no hope of catching anything real nice in a creek like this.

Just wondering. :)

Thanks,
Chad

[Kevin Smith]

Chad,

If your dock has current around it that is great and if it has lights that is even better.

You can chunk or chum for them from your dock when there is current in either direction. This can be done night or day. Night time can be the most productive.

You can also use jigs or bucktails under the docks and that is especially good at night and especially good if you have lights on the dock. Even if you can hang a Coleman Latern or Flood Light you can temporarily mount.

Kevin
Weekend Mistress
Coastal Conservation Association Virginia, Stripers Forever

[engagechad]

What exactly does the light do (other than help ME see.. haha)?

[Kevin Smith]

Chad,

The lights draw in small bait and small fish for the predators to feed on. Then the shadow line "light line" created by the light over the dock gives the predators a place to hide, so they can ambush the bait.

The shadows or "light line" means the bait is sort of "Blinded by The Light"! :D

Kevin
Weekend Mistress
CCA VA, Stripers Forever

[engagechad]

Chad,

The lights draw in small bait and small fish for the predators to feed on. Then the shadow line "light line" created by the light over the dock gives the predators a place to hide, so they can ambush the bait.

The shadows or "light line" means the bait is sort of "Blinded by The Light"! :D

Kevin
Weekend Mistress
CCA VA, Stripers Forever

Thank you! I never knew that.

[jimmyz316]

I used to catch a ton of crappie fishing that way under a bridge in fresh water. Minnows would stack up under the light, then crappie, occasional large mouth bass and even cat fish. I've seen it work on a commercial pier for grey trout in saltwater.

[engagechad]

I used to catch a ton of crappie fishing that way under a bridge in fresh water. Minnows would stack up under the light, then crappie, occasional large mouth bass and even cat fish. I've seen it work on a commercial pier for grey trout in saltwater.

All we can get close to our dock is crab for the most part. I haven't exactly fished the dock specifically though, I may give it a shot. Usually we throw our bait out as far as we can to the middle of the creek (brackish.. )

[p-2]

Buy yourself a floating light and put it in the water off the end of your dock at sundown. Have some dinner and go down there a few hours after dark. Fish small jigs around the light. If there are any fish nearby you should catch them. The rockfish will hang out just on the outside edge of the lit up water. If there are any trout still around they will show up too. It works like a champ.-

[engagechad]

I'll definitely try that. Thanks again everyone