When shooting docks do you usually let the jig drop all the way to the bottom and then start reeling in or start immediately? Is it just a straight retrieve or how do you work the lure?

Birdman it is just like all fishing for crappie, try it one way then the next. Their is never a set way to fish for crappie Try ever way you know and then make up new ways.

My first few shots I'll let it drop all the way down to kind of gauge if there is anything there and how deep they are holding. If they are popping it right when it hits the water, I'll do that til it slows then let it drop to the bottom and do a slow retrieve back. You'd be surprised how far some will chase it before they strike.

I like to use a 1/16 ounce unpainted jig head with a #4 bronze sickle hook. My rod is a 5'6" foot Ugly Stik with Wally Marshall Hi-Vis mono in 6lb test, on a Pflueger President reel. I will put a reel on my rod that is one size too big when shooting, that way I can make longer shots. Ugly Stiks are great rods for dock shooting because they have a quick tip and won't break easily.

As far as jig preference goes, Thump Buddies or Thump Jumpers in the High Noon color seem to work best for me. I really like the Thump Jumper because the flat body profile makes the bait fall slower, not to mention those little legs...


When shooting, I'll aim for the darkest water I can find, preferably with some structure nearby, like a ladder or a pole. I immediately take a turn of the reel when my jig hits the target, just to get the slack out of my line. After that, I hold the pole dead still, watching for any unnatural movement as my bait falls on a pendulum. After the jig hits the bottom, I slowly raise my pole to the two o'clock position, and again begin watching my line. Every so often, the fish like the jig with a little more movement. In this case, I shoot my jig, let it sink about a one second count, then very slowly start raising my pole, again looking for line movement.


If you come down to Cedar Creek to shoot docks in the next few days, you better have a good scope.

Thanks lane,very informative as always!

Great advice Lane!

Will docks hold crappie all year long? I've just been using a jig and bobber about 2-3ft down. Will it be more productive without the bobber?

No, crappie move and don't stay any where year round. Dock fishing and dock shooting is not the same, a lot of these people will have out brush piles and keep it baited around their docks and if you fish it, its fishing. Dock shooting is where the dock is the cover and like Lane is talking about the hard to get to places are the best.

My arsenal is:

- 5'5" B'n'M SharpShooter https://www.bnmpoles.com/p-43-sharpshooter.aspx
- 4 pound line
- 1/16 jig
- rubber jig body of any sort

Been doing this for close to 20 years now, and here are my observations:

- I like the 4-pound line...yes it is very light, but it does not keep as much memory as 6-pound line, and does not take as much recoil on the rod to get the jig waaaaaay back under a dock. The less resistance of the line just allows the jig to fly faster. Plus if you want to shoot 1/32 jigs, then 4-pound line is perfect.

- Try to find docks that have some part of the dock that is shaded all day long

- Vary your retrieve between bouncing it back off the bottom all the way up to just a few feet below the surface

- Don't spend 15 minutes on a dock trying to get fish to bite...4-5 shots under there...no bites, move on to another one. They are either there ready to bite, or they are not.

- You can shoot a jig with any rod on the market...even 7-8' rods. Just find what is comfortable and works for you.

- Dock shooting is a true art...not something that you just decide to do...go to the lake...and you are instantly putting a jig in a 6" gap and catching fish. Be patient.

- Rubber body jigs work MUCH better than hair jigs...especially when there is little room to shoot. Hair jigs do not skip well at all.

- I'm sure other things will come to mind, but there is a lot of great information on this thread already

Thanks a lot for all the info. Now I just have to wait for the docks to be above water so that I can go out and practice it.