The 64-year-old guide also uses a watermelon Texas-rigged plastic lizard and when the bite gets tough, a split shot crimped on the line about a foot above the lizard.

"I'll let the wind or my trolling motor move the lizard slowly away from the dock," Neely said. "By summer, the fish have seen a lot of baits and will follow them a good distance before striking."

During early mornings and late evenings, bass can be caught around the docks with topwater propeller baits and with black, beige and white floating worms.

PIER ASSESSMENT
All piers and docks may be born of wood or steel, but they're definitely not equal. Once you're able to assess the relative fishing value of piers and docks, you'll not only be able to catch more summer bass but more bass whatever the season.