Dock fishing......FROM docks

[Stew]

Also, just to get you experiencing some quick action, bring some chum with you, such as dry cat food and even a tin or two of sardines or tuna packed in oil. Once you are out on the dock after fishing it thoroughly from shore, throw out a handful of the chum, one or the other, every 15 minutes or so. It will draw in some small fish, such as minnows and bluegill.

Then catch a bluegill or comparable with a live worm or such...and use it as live bait. You'll need a bucket of water to keep it alive while you re-rig.

To rig it, hook it with a 2/0 sized hook at the anal fin and float it about 3 to 4 feet under a large bobber. No split-shots necessary.

NOTE: The bobber will behave a certain way just by the live bait, as it struggles, so don't be fooled. When a bass takes it, it will be different. Let the bass take it with your line in free-spool, so it can take out line for around 30 seconds without feeling resistance; then, set the hook hard and hang on!

I'd also encourage you to try to get in with a fishing club that may be in your local area. They can perhaps take you to new and different fishing spots.

For the artificial-only enthusiasts here, I of course agree with you for the very most part. The goal here, however, as I see it, is to help a young man love fishing for life, and that requires some success in whatever is his right here and now.