Dock Crappies

[eyepatrol]

Last year I was able to catch some crappies holding underneath some docks, but it was difficult getting them to come out from underneath and take the bait.

Anyone have good tips or suggestions for getting at dock crappies? The clearance between the docks and water surface was probably about a foot, so for my feable casting skills, I wasn't really able to cast under the dock.

[Matt Johnson]

I experienced a few situations like that last year as well. What I did was rig up a collarless jighead with a Pearl Exude Micro Shad, below a tiny float. Then I would just pitch it up as close to the dock as I could and just barely make the plastic dance. Usually the crappies will hold for a second or two, then they will come out to investigate, and then usually take the plastic.

You could also cast up along-side the dock with the same set-up and slowly reel back towards the boat. Rig up the float so the jig/plastic in about 2 feet below the surface (or where ever the crappies are holding). This will keep the plastic at a desired depth and allow the crappies ample time to strike.

OR, you could skip a twister tail under the dock and line watch...

[eyepatrol]

That's what I did last year, was put a float on, cast beyond the end of the dock, drag it back until I was right up against the dock and let it sit until they came out to bite.

I just wasn't sure if there was a good way to get the jig underneath the dock...like those bass guys who skip their lures across the water and up underneath the docks. I actually tried doing that last year, and failed miserably. Caused more problems on the spool than it was worth. ha!

[waltinader]

When I fish dock crappies I use a small tube or twister tail and skip it under the docks. While its sinking they usualy come up and hit it.

[Blackduck]

If there is any wind you could use a float and let the wind take it under the dock.

[Mr. Pike1]

Matt, I use the Exude Micro's as well. What have you found to be the best way to rig them.

[Matt Johnson]

On a collarless 1/32oz jig or even a 1/64oz jig. No sinker/weight, just straight-up. They are only about 1 1/8 inches long, so not a huge plastic. However, they do act much like a pin-minnow/hearding minnow, much like the ones that crappies feed on around docks and in the shallows.

I'll almost always rig with some sort of jighead, but on occasion I'll rig it with a plain hook and drop-shot the plastic...