Last night I stumbled across a dock with an underwater green light. I could see dozens of bass in there chasing very small shad. Some were huge. We only caught two. One on a hair jig, the other on a small spoon. We tried everything in the book from tiny drop shot minnows to a 1" grub. They would look at it but not bite. Any suggestions? Should we throw crappie lures? We also threw larger worms and such

Fish around lights can have a short window when they go off, and sometimes it's only at dusk or dawn, sometimes it's all night. I haven't found any rhyme or reason but they seem more cooperative when it's windy, when it's cooler, when it's not a full moon. You used the correct baits, I like to add a crankbait (char or sexy shad), junebug finesse worms on my dropshot, big spoon, swimbait, flukes.

The light is an attractant but generally, the feeding bass aren't the ones in the light. Try fishing the edges of the light in the dark areas. They like to sit up there and ambush. Sometimes, the lights just don't produce even though you see the fish. I've put it right in front of their noses before and they won't take it. Dropshot will work if anything is going to.

Bass were mesmerized by all the light attracted baitfish and willing to have fun chasing a few, but likely most had already had their fill.

Small white shallow diving crankbait(bomber is great) worked slowly through the light has always been great for me. Never get on top of the fish/light. Stay well off in darkness. Cast to the other side of the light and crank it down till it reaches its depth(2-3') then work it slowly across the light in a stop and go fashion. Sometimes they want it so slow I'm actually almost working it like a worm. They hammer it, often while it's not even moving. Works well through the typical white lights.

Something very fast lkke a speed reeled spinnerbait. It gets a reaction bite.

Try a chatter bait. Run it through fairly fast first cast and I garantee one first cast if they are stacked on it. My experience is that first catch will spook the others and they get more spooked with repeated casting right in or near the light so cast way past. After the first one if they are not biting but still there. Pump the chatterbait bait off the bottom on the edges. This is where the big fish will be. Like I said they seem to turn off after a couple are caught so let it rest and come back if they eave the light. Btw I have seen giants run up and grab and spit the bait numerous times on the same night on repeated cast and tried jigs worms etc with no luck as well. Frustrating!! Makes me wonder how many times I think I bumped a stump and it was a fish during the day........

Try yo-yoing a lipless crank bait.

I have had luck dead sticking in the docks believe it or not <-- caught some giants like this

I've really learned a lot about fishing those things over the last year from someone who was able to understand the process better than I initially did. Very good advice has been given but I would add the following:

As noted, stay as far away as possible and even more importantly be very quiet. That was my biggest mistake. Turn the electronics off, don't slam the deck lids. Be fanatical about being quiet.

Only 2 baits have consistently produced bites, a big worm fished incredibly slow and a very small crankbait.

There are times of the night where they aren't go it to bite no matter what you do.

Some docks, due to their relationship with structure, consistently hold more fish than others do.

Inline spinner like a Mepps, matches the bait profile and gives off good vibration in the water.

Ned rig

Underspin with super fluke jr

Clear shallow crankbait

Swim baits, and a wacky worm is my go to..

Many of the guys that own grn lights around me, all have perch traps, and they brag a lot about the big fish they catch. Then the phone pictures come out, sur-nuf they catch'm...