Why is it people say that big redfish can be caught under docks. Is there a reason for this. Do they mean fishing by the wood pilings that hold the dock up. Is finger mullet or cut crab better in this instance.
Gamefish are commonly caught in and around structure. This includes reds, trout, and flounder too. Any piling with growth on it can hold fish. A lot of these docks are great place for fish to ambush bait. Different docks will hold fish at different tide stages, but once you find the fish, they will usually be in the same place at the same stage the following day. Quartered blue crab works better for me on the larger reds, but everyone has an opinion on the best baits. Live mullet or cut mullet chunks work well too.
Might be because alot of folks that own docks, dump thier oyster off them after an oyster roast, thus creating more structure and possibly grow new oysters.
John
What Sailfish said. I have also started to pay attention to water temp and barometric pressure
experience noun \ik-#712;spir–#601;n(t)s
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the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation
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that thing you get just moments after you needed it.
Also a lot of dock owners put lights under there docs which makes for great night fishing. Check around docks at low tide for oyster shells and look at the buildup on any pilings for signs that it might be a good fishing doc. If it has all of that and a light under it give it a shot for some fun night fishing too!
Docks are a great place to catch fish almost anywhere, fresh or salt. Provides shade and ambush points. It also attracts bait fish and things like that.
Docks are a great place to catch fish almost anywhere, fresh or salt. Provides shade and ambush points. It also attracts bait fish and things like that.
When fishing around docks for big reds, or any fish of size for that matter, make sure you mind your line and pay attention to way the tide is moving and the direction of the wind. It is also a good idea to have as little slack in your line as possible so that you know the second a fish strikes your bait. Larger “smarter” fish will get your line wrapped around an oyster covered pile with a quickness.
Narcosis
For some reason, the docks we fish only produce when the current is moving. Slack low or high doesnt seem to work well.
Because Charleston has oysters on almost all structures, I have a specific a 6’ medium action rod and abu garcia 6000 reel just for fishing the docks. It has 60lb spider wire and fish 50-80lb. I have pulled a 34" red out from under a dock with that setup. You just put your thumb on the spool and the fight is on!
Yep,
It seems likely that if you hook a big red around the dock pilings he’ll go wrap himself around one and pop the line with the drag letting line out. If you tighten the drag too much, you risk losing the fish that way.