Thread: Dock shooting rods

I like the Bass Pro Shop Microlite rod in 5'6" model. Also if you can find the Plueger President refurbished reel in the closeout section you will be set.

I picked up some 410 models from B'n'M because they were CHEAP and absolutely love them. Around $11 each and have been great tough rods. Now I am not a dock shooter like some on here, but I have caught plenty on this rod and it is sensitive and limber. When you decide dock shooting is WHAT you want to do, start picking up other rods to find a good rod for YOU. The 410 is great for bluegill and shellcrackers too.

Originally Posted by EARL KITCHENS

I like the Bass Pro Shop Microlite rod in 5'6" model. Also if you can find the Plueger President refurbished reel in the closeout section you will be set.

X2 on that!!!! I've got two of Em! Great stuff!

Wally Marshall Signature Series 4' 6" Dock Shooting Rod. THERE IS NONE BETTER. It will cost you a little more, BUT YOU ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!! Been shooting for quite some time, tried the cheaper rods(turned out to be junk), but once I started using these, never went back. Perfect length and action to get all the way to the back of the longest docks. Great product.

I'm not real picky about dock shooting rods there's several I consider good , but slab collector on here turned me on to one I really like. It's a field&stream tec-lite 6 ft ultra lite, it has 10 micro eyes and sling a jig like no other I ever tried and is very sensitive. I prefer a 5.6 to 6 ft rod instead of short rods due to longer more accurate shots and better hook sets especially if the fish is coming towards you with the bait or if your shooting from an awkward position like sitting flat on the floor of the boat. This rod is $50 at dicks sporting goods, it's only draw back is it's a 2 piece rod but that don't seem to effect the performance of this rod.

Originally Posted by fireman1501

Any info on a good dock shooting rod . I went to bass pro today and they don't carry the b& m sharp shooter. Just wondering if there is other brands that are as good and what length. Also if there is a good reel you would prefer for this type of fishing. thanks

I didn't really like the BnM Dockshooter ... seemed a bit too limber for my taste. I'm currently using a 5'6" Norsemen Outdoors ESP UL rod for dock shooting (primary rod) ... but don't hesitate for a second to use my Norsemen Outdoors ESP 6'6" PowerLite rod, if I just happen to already have it in hand.
Match the reel to the rod (so that it's balanced), and get the reel with the widest spool or longest spool you can find, and you'll be OK.
Keep your line untwisted, & stretch it out before using it, and you should be able to shoot a jig waaaay back under a dock. I'm currently using 6lb test Vicious Panfish Hi-vis Copoly line, which took the place of 4lb Mr Crappie Super Hi-vis & 4lb test Stren Gold.

... cp

Started out with the original Wall Marshall 5 ' rods. Broke the tip one and started using the microlites as Earl does. Easy to replace.

If you use an open face spinning reel, especially a small UL , you know that occasionally the line reel will shoot off an extra loop of line which can cause a messy tangle. This seems to happen to me most often shooting docks because I often skip the jig across the water to the back of the dock. I think the erratic speed of the jig skipping across the water is what contributes to getting a loose loop every now and then.
The closed face trigger spins are excellent for this but a lot are really cheaply made, however the Pflueger models are very good and work well for dock shooting and you don't have the loose coils to deal with. Might want to look at them. They come pre-spooled so the first think I do is take that line off and put on some 4 or 6 lb. fresh limp line and it works like a dream. Those pre-spooled reels may have been sitting for a couple of years and the line has taken a set and is just not worth hassling with.
This is the model I have but they make several sizes so you can match to your needs. http://www.fishusa.com/Product/Pflue...Underspin-Reel