Fishing Dock Lights

Dock lights are utter fish-magnets. Some are better than others with dim, yellowish lights usually holding a bit of promise, bright white ones often plugged with fish, and those with green underwater lights at the top of the heap. No matter what inshore predator you have in your sights, fishing these areas is a prime way to get ’em. If, that is, you fish those dock lights in the right way.

• Don’t target the center of the light, but instead, focus your efforts on the edges of the light where it fades out into darkness. As a general rule of thumb this is where the largest fish will be. They can hide in the darkness, then shoot into the very edge of the light to attack unaware baitfish and crustaceans.
• When you catch a fish in close to the light, sit back and wait for five minutes before casting again. This will take some self-control, but a fish jumping and struggling will often spook everything else in the immediate vicinity. Keep casting (and creating splashes and activity) and the fish will stay spooked. Back off for a bit, however, and they’ll settle down and begin feeding again in short order.
• When “dock hopping” from one lighted pier to another by boat, slow down well away from the list area and idle close or (even better) use a trolling motor to ease your way in. Again, in the calm conditions often encountered after dark the fish are apt to act spooky. Do everything as slowly and with as much stealth as possible or you may never get a bite, even though there are plenty of fish around.
• Consider using shrimp for bait, or casting plastic shrimp, in the areas where shrimp may be found. Shrimp love artificial lights just as much as the fish do. In fact, that’s probably one of the reasons fish like lights so much! So as usual, match the hatch and you have a better chance of success.
• Leave the dock an hour or two before sunrise, or an hour after sunset. Pre-sunrise, dock lights are often very active. But the first hour or so after dark they really won’t have turned on yet. Time your trips accordingly.

Remember, the water is public and no one can tell you not to cast into “their” light. However, a proper measure of respect to pier owners is also in order. Never step onto or tie off on a private pier without permission, and if you snag the pier or something attached to it, you have to accept the fact that your lure or rig is gone. That said, dock fishing under lights is an awesome way to turn an otherwise boring evening into fish-filled fun.

Lenny Rudow

www.tpwd.texas.gov