San Antonio,Texas, fishes near a dock.

by JOHN N. FELSHER
On almost any lake, anglers find a multitude of boat docks, fishing piers and other manmade structures jutting out from shorelines to provide excellent
places for bass to hunt.
As the weather warms, bass move up under docks to take advantage of the cool, shady waters beneath them. With multiple pilings,
bracing and other structure, docks give bass outstanding cover where they can ambush prey. In addition, the overhead structure protects bass from ospreys, pelicans and other birds looking to swoop down and snatch a fishy meal.
To attract bass, bluegill and crappie, many dock owners create additional cover by building brush piles within casting range of their docks. Any dock with rod holders attached to the rails and lights positioned to shine over the water probably faces a good brush pile or two and could make a great fishing spot. In addition, dock owners may toss leftover bait or food scraps into the water. Minnows and panfish gather to feast upon the scraps; bass gather to feast upon the baitfish.