Throw a spinnerbait first around the outside dock corners and shaded posts, then follow with a skipping jig if the fish are tucked tight. After rain, bass often slide to the wind-blown side and hold where the water is a little dirtier and the light is low. On Lake Austin, the rising pressure and clear sky mean the bite may be a bit picky, so use a bait that gives flash, vibration, and cover-friendly deflection.
First move
- Black/blue or white spinnerbait, 3/8 oz, slow-roll it past dock walkways, post clusters, and shade lines.
- Keep the retrieve steady with an occasional pause when it ticks a post or cable.
- If the water is stained, go slightly heavier and fish it tighter to the cover.
Why it should work
- Post-rain bass like easy ambush points around docks.
- A spinnerbait covers water fast and calls fish out of the shade.
- Late spring means bass can still be shallow and aggressive, especially around bluegill/shad-type forage.
Videos to look at
- Dock Fishing Bass With Underspin Jigs
- How to Catch Bass Fishing Docks - Practice Casting
- How to Catch Bass Around Docks with Wacky Rigs
- Four Best Lures for Skipping
- In-Depth Look | How To Skip Docks
Products and lures to look at
- Blackwake Spinnerbait — strong first choice for dock edges and stained water
- Davy Jones’ Buzz — if they’re shallow and feeding aggressively early/late
- Bass Mafia Custom Balsa Squarebill Crankbait — for bumping dock corners and cross-bracing
- 4.75” Twitch Jerkbait — good for skipping or dead-sticking in shade
- FONMANG 322-Piece Fishing Lures Kit — solid starter box with spinnerbaits, frog, jig, and soft bait options
- FONMANG 126Pcs Fishing Lures — lighter, cheaper all-around kit
Adjust if
- Water is clearer than expected: switch to a green pumpkin jig or wacky rig and skip it deep under docks.
- Sun gets high and docks are shaded: fish the shadiest back side with a slow fall.
- Wind picks up: keep the spinnerbait on the windward side of the docks.
Backup plan
- Pitch a 3/8 oz jig to the darkest dock posts and let it sit 2–3 seconds before a short hop.
- If they miss the spinnerbait, come back with a soft jerkbait and let it fall on slack line.
