Fished some local docks towards the end of the week and did pretty good. Docks are starting to hold some fish. Fished from 7am till 11am and caught about 50 fish. Over half were perfect eating size in the 7 to 8 inch range nothing that big. Bluegill and Redear were the majority. I did catch a few Redbreast and plenty of Longear that had moved in and decided they wanted to play. Towards the end of the trip I had one huge fish that rapped it's self around a dock pole and got off during the early fight. Fish were caught in 3 to 5 feet of water using worms and ultra light tackle. The water was clear. Bottom techniques were used. Ending the week on a good note catching a bunch of sunnies. It don't get any better.

Sounds like fun. Nice catching, Chuck!

Bob

Thanks Bob for the reply!

Help please
would someone please explain [ bottom technique to me. I kinda get it but but would like
to understand better. thanks for the help.

Thanks "Texsam" for the reply. Bottom technique is a technique where the bait is played off the bottom of the water body. Bouncing the bait off the bottom and the different speeds you use on your retrieve. Sometimes you can move your bait every second and other times once every 5 to 10 seconds. There are even times during slow bites or trying to catch a nesting fish, that you leave the bait still for a couple of minutes. It all depends on how aggressive the fish are that day. Simple terms. Bottom technique is fishing off the bottom and playing the bait using the bottom of the water body.

I was confused for a long time on what reports of "bottom techniques" meant on this forum, as drop shotting is often listed as a separate technique, but using a drop-shot setup is what I assumed bottom technique meant when I first joined. I believe when Banker reports using "bottom techniques" he has a split shot between the rod and hook.

@banker - do you ever go weightless with your bottom fishing for gills?

Thanks "Dr.ERk" for the reply. You are right. I use the sinker on top of the hook. The hook is at the end of line. I have plenty of friends who I fish with that only use the drop shot method. Great results on both styles. As for fishing weightless I have used the method. It depends on the bite and the aggressiveness of the fish. Usually night fishing by sunken lights I will "free float" a worm or minnow. Get good results. Also "free floating" a bait down a good current works good. I have picked up some nice bass and plenty of Longear floating a bait down a fast current. Most of the time I use the weight.

Thanks for the info, Banker

I live up 281 just north of TPC parkway. Maybe we'll cross paths one day

Banker ,thank's for the lesson . I had it about half right.Anold dog can be
schooled . good fishing to ya!

Very nicely done banker.....i hit the creek yesterday(will post pics later)& i noticed the rio bite has picked up caught some nice ones in the 8 to 9 inch range.And alot of other stuff too.

Thanks Mike for the reply. Yes Sir. Both the Sunfish and Rio bites are picking up. Fish seem to be getting a little more active.

Nice ones Chuck! River lakes are starting to pick up!

Thanks Curtis for the reply. It has been hit and miss all summer long for me. The docks and tree overhangs have not picked up like last year.

Banker I can't keep up with you!

good ones Banker