Welcome to the forum!
Habitat is key as well as baiting.
If it's an older dock, there may already be brush or rocks around the dock that help giving structure, that in turn draws in baitfish and then the larger fish.
Lights also work to draw the baitfish at night and bring in crappie, bass, and catfish that will feed on those bait fish.
It sounds like you are on the right track using the nightcrawlers.
The best time to fish the river is early spring, and fall, and our winters are pretty mild so the fishing is fairly good then as well.
It's when the boat traffic dies down, and that is when the river is best for fishing, but with the boat traffic now, night fishing would be your best bet or early in the morning.
If you see some guys fishing around your dock or nearby docks that means they've caught fish there, and if you start up a conversation with them, they will probably tell you what's biting and what to use to catch them......Fishermen love to brag, so first hand knowledge is the best!
Hope this helps!