My parents have a place on Cedar Creek and I really want to try my hand at night fishing as I've never been. I know lighted docks are supposed to be great for night fishing, but my question is how to attack them. Keep in mind that I will be taking my dad who simply likes catching fish, doesn't really matter if it's a largemouth. Which lures should we use to attract multiple types of game fish? Also, with so many docks on that lake are there certain types of areas we should be focused on?

Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

For dock lights, I like crankbaits (type depends on depth), hair jigs, keitech swing impact on a jighead and small jigging spoons. I've caught fish up to 11.5 lbs on submerged green lights. Always the first thing I fish when on a dock lake at night.

For just fishing around normal docks, I've caught a ton on a texas rigged black/blue flk senko.

need a bit of clarification - are you going to be in a boat? where on the lake is your parents' place? when are you going to be here (moon status matters)? I am on SW corner of lake on a good fishing dock, but cant really competently respond without some additional clarification.

Thanks. Their house is in the southeast section of the lake, not in caney creek but in the big arm north of Caney. And I'm not entirely sure when I'll be going down there, but it should be within the next month. I was mainly just looking for general advice, tips, etc.

Thanks!

And yes, we will be in a boat.

Night Bass Fishing is great this time of year. Target the same area of the lake you would in daylight hours. IMO they should be in a post spawn pattern. Look for the docks in 5-10 ft of water on and around secondary points. I would focus on the outter edges of the coves around the secondary points and inside them.

If there is a lot of weeds I would texas rig a power worm in black, or Black/Blue, or Blue Fleck. I'm sure the senko mentioned above would work too. Important thing is the color. Go with Black or a Black/Blue colors. I've also had tremendous luck throwing spinner baits at night. But you need a short arm, single Colorado blade, and dark color like black again. The short arm and single round blade will put off the vibration you want. Slow rolling spinner baits works great. My favorite is made by Talon but the midnight special by Strike King works pretty well too. If you are fishing rocky type bottoms, or there is no vegetation, a crank bait would be a good choice. I've also caught them on buzz baits at night. That's fun.

I don't know what your experience level is, but I've taken a lot of first timers out with me at night. If you are fishing with a texas rig worm, when you feel the bite start gently reeling in while lowering your rod tip, and while counting to 3. When you get to 3 your rod tip should be down and set the hook. You will drive yourself crazy trying to set the hook at night. I've found it is easier just to assume they are there, count to 3, and set the hook.

Night fishing is awesome. I've spent as much time out at night as I have during daytime. We had a place on Cypress Springs for several years (great night fishing lake).

The best time of the year to night fish is the 2nd two weeks of may thru the 1st two weeks of June.

cool beans - if moon is full then night fishing is better - in any event, i fish plastics, swim baits, and jigs around docks - day or night - add a Colorado spinner to the swimbait if possible if not getting attention from the fish - i agree with other poster about crankbaits but can be tough around docks with no light - ie, easy to get stuck - i would recommend shad colors with any fast lure, and darker color with anything slow - honestly fishing kind of stinks right now day or night after these crazy weather days. will be better once lake clears up.

A good start is casting past the light. If you cast right into the light more times than not you wont catch anything. I personally enjoy throwing a fluke or swim bait past the light and swimming it right into the middle of the light. When hitting the middle of the light kill the bait and let it flutter. You'll see what happens next. After you catch a couple like that try throwing a jig in there and usually thatll catch the bigger fish on the light.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the info.

If your dad just likes catching fish and it doesnt have to be largemouth tie him a white roadrunner on a spinning reel and have him throw it past the light and then retrieve it like a yo yo through the light. They almost always hit it on the fall. You will catch multiple species of fish with this technique but mostly sandbass or hybrids with the occasional largemouth and crappie. I have also had luck on cedar creek with the tiny white chatterbaits on light spinning tackle with either a white grub or a small white fluke on them. However you decide to attack it docks close to deep water and WHITE NOT YELLOW lights have always been better on Cedar Creek for us for some reason. There are also a few docks on the lake that have submerged green lights I know there is one on the on the south bank of clear creek on main lake as well as one in a cove on the north side of clear creek. Have fun with your dad hope this helps.

I like to throw a 5/8oz jig right on the bank behind and around the lit up docks. If the water is clearer I'll fish it out a little deeper out to 15-20'

Little chrome rattle trap reeled in slow

12 inch Black with Blue flake power worm texas rigged with a glass bead

Good stuff