There are three universal truths: Bluegill love piers, Bass love to eat Bluegill, and green pumpkin anything is good. In this blog post, we'll dive into practical knowledge and two simple, yet effective demonstrations to start building your pier fishing arsenal.
The first step in locating and catching Bass on the pier is recognizing that the pier itself is a structure, and along with cover, it's a key identifier of a prime fishing spot. For the shore-bound angler, it may seem counterintuitive to stop and inspect the pier before casting your bait out to the middle of the lake, but in this case, taking it slow can make all the difference. More often than not, you'll find the most success by fishing right on the pier, rather than casting out into the depths.
In public waters, you'll encounter two primary pier types, each with slightly different fishing techniques. Piling-supported piers feature a sturdy, wooden platform elevated by vertical pilings. These permanent structures remain stable even as water levels fluctuate, making them a popular choice in water bodies with consistent depths. Floating piers, typically made of heavy-duty plastic and foam, rise and fall with changing water levels, making them an ideal solution for water bodies with greater fluctuations, such as western reservoirs.
The simple trick to remember where to start targeting Bass on each pier type is: focus on the vertical structure for piling-supported piers, and the edges and corners for floating piers.
Piling-Supported Piers
The stars of the show on piling-supported piers are the pilings and the vertical structure beneath the pier itself! A great technique for fishing the pilings and other vertical structures is to use a soft plastic swimbait rigged on a jighead. As the jig falls, the soft plastic swimbait's appendages will undulate, driving Bass into a frenzy. The key here is to let the jig fall on a semi-slack line, allowing the bait to descend as naturally as possible. Cast to each accessible piling and support on all sides, keeping a close eye on your line as the jig falls. Some fish will strike so hard that your line will jump 4 feet to the left, leaving no doubt, while others will simply impart a subtle tremor. If you feel that line thumping back, don't be shy – that "thunk" means business, and most of the pier-dwelling Bass will hit during the initial fall.
With all the accessible pilings and supports covered from the shore, it's time to take to the pier itself. From the pier, start casting to the pilings and supports that you couldn't reach from land, letting the jig do its magic.
Floating Piers
Floating piers offer a few prime real estate areas that Bass will exploit to ambush their prey. The pier itself is partially submerged, providing the perfect cover for Bass. They'll lurk along the edges and in the corners, waiting to pounce on any unfortunate baitfish that swims by. There are several effective techniques for targeting these fish, but a weedless hook configuration can help keep your swimbait in the strike zone and generate that all-important side-to-side action that drives Bass wild. Pitching a swimbait along the edges of the floating pier is a simple yet effective approach. Start by casting the bait from the shore, allowing it to fall just a few inches below the pier's edge. Once you've covered the areas accessible from land, hop up on the pier and target the zones you couldn't reach from shore.
These are by no means the only demonstrations for pier-bound Bass, but they will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to anglers pursuing these prized gamefish across the country! With these techniques in your arsenal, you'll be well on your way to mastering the art of pier fishing and reeling in trophy Bass all season long.
