i need some tips on catching the bass...i had no luck the past season. So if any of you could give me some pointers or tip, it would be greatly appreciated     -Thanks

Hey '96...haven't seen you around here for a while. How about a little info to give us a direction? You know, like water conditions where you fish, depth, cover types, bottom content...with the right info...I'm sure someone can put you on some hot tips.
                                                                                                                                                                      

Another thing missing from help requests is a general location. I'm not talking GPS co-ordinates of your honey hole, just maybe pin it down to about a 75 mile radius or so. Geographical differences can make for huge differences in fish behavior and fishing tactics. Here in Illinois, the southern part of the state has a substantially different climate than up near the cheddar curtain where I live.

the water conds. are normally 50-65 degrees when  fish. the biggest depth i have sceen is 45. and the bottom content is mostly muck with spots near the shore with rocks. The shores are filled with trees. I have also tried workin' the docks but nothing wht should i do?

Well, water temps of 50 to 65 degrees must be spring time. At that time of the year, bass will move onto those shoreline rocks as they warm the shallows. On a sunny day, bump a crankbait or rattlebait through those rocks. On a cloudy day, their warming effect will be diminished...switch to a spinnerbait and throw it around those shoreline trees. The action should pick up around those docks a little later, like during the spawn, and when it gets hot in the summer.
                                                                                     

Try using a senco around those docks and the tree lines could also use a jig but when everything else fails i go back to the senco in pumpkin or watermelon with a char. tail

There are so many intricacies and variables when it comes to bass fishing and fishing in general that I hate even trying to leave a response to a topic like this when such little information is provided for me to be able to form a relevant theoretical basis to assist you in your eventual approach to the situation. But off the top of my head, a technique that works well for me when fishing new or unfamiliar waters, is using swimbaits (soft plastic as my personal preference) to cover as much of the water column as possible as expediently as possible. Cast and then immediately retrieve your bait a few times. See if a strike occurs. That will be the upper part of the water column. Then cast again and let the bait sink a little more into the water and then retrieve and repeat this process as you go along, testing each level of the water column until you find where the fish are suspended or if they are actually clinging to the bottom. This is a technique that may already exist and may be well documented unbeknownst to me but nonetheless one that I cultivated on my own while fishing that has produced inarguable results!

As you can see, it has worked for me!

Posted By Pegsguy on 30 Dec 2011 10:06 AM
Another thing missing from help requests is a general location. I'm not talking GPS co-ordinates of your honey hole, just maybe pin it down to about a 75 mile radius or so. Geographical differences can make for huge differences in fish behavior and fishing tactics. Here in Illinois, the southern part of the state has a substantially different climate than up near the cheddar curtain where I live.

Good point Pegsguy. Ohio has that same climate change as Illinois. '96 is up near Lake Erie and I'm down near the Ohio river. At times the difference can be drastic! Someone might think our conditions are similar since we're less than 200 miles apart...but my bass are done spawning before his even start!
                                                     

P.S. Nice smally CQ!

so what should i throw around those docks during spawn. Also, what is your guys opinions on dropshoting. I have been tempted to try it expecially after i saw the new spinshot from VMC.

Well, the dropshot is more suited to deeper water...in the shallows around docks I would go weightless...either Texas or Wacky rigged. Too many good soft plastics to even list for this, more important than the type used is the slow drop of the weightless bait. Try a variety of colors too. During the spawn you can count on bass being under those docks...but don't forget about those rocky and brushy areas. They don't have as much "traffic" as the docks and can offer bass that are easier to fool. Fishing during the spawn can be tough. Approach quietly, watch where your shadow falls, and use as light a line as you can.
                                                                          

Spinnerbaits are one of my go to baits. You can reel them fast, creating a "bulge" on top of the water getting reaction strikes. You can slow them down and fish lower in the water column. You can slow roll them and basically drag them on the bottom. You can jig them. There are different blade shapes and colors. Colorado blades give you more thump. Willow blades give you more flash. You can get skirts in about any color you want. I catch fish most of the year on spinnerbaits in all kinds of conditions. Try outside weed edges or bumping them off of those shorline trees. As for drop shotting, I've had pretty good success drop shotting. One thing I've learned when drop shotting, when you think you're fishing slow enough, slow down.

Fish the shallower shoreline structure or rocky bottom areas and fallen trees in deeper water using white with black spots tube worms (I use YUM tube worms mostly since they are impregnated with salt) or Zoom Minnows. 4-5 inch size. I mostly use the 5 inch size. Rig the tube worms with a 2/0 weedless hook and 2 1/8 oz split shot about 6-8 inches up the line. Rig the Zoom Minnows Texas style with about a 3/0 hook and a 1/4-3/8 oz. bullet sinker pegged to the line with a toothpick. You can peg the sinker right at the hook or a few inches above the hook for more lure action. Throw either of them at the shoreline cover or the deeper water structure and let them sink while watching your line. Cast as close to the structure as you can. You can usually tell when a bass grabs the lure because your line will 'jump' a little bit. Wait about 3 seconds then cross their eyes. If you don't get a hit while the lure is sinking jiggle your rod 5 or 6 times once the lure hits the bottom. Just move the rod tip maybe 3-4 inches at a time. Then reel in about 12 inches of line and repeat. When you are certain your lure is out of the structure reel in and cast again. Cover the structure thoroughly. Once you get the action down it will become second nature to you. I guarantee you will catch bass using this technique. You can also motor or row right up to the shoreline timber and drop the lure straight down till it hits bottom or flip it into the timber a few feet away from you and let it sink to the bottom. If no strike while it drops jiggle the rod a few times while the lure is on the bottom then wait about a minute. If no strike move a foot or two and try again. Fish the heaviest cover you can find this way. Once again fish the structure thoroughly. Using live minnows on the weedless hook rig using these same techniques also works very well. Good luck and never stop learning.