Dock Shoot Reel Results

I know most (I think) prefer spinning reels for this. For those that have took the time to measure distance, do you get more out of larger or smaller reels?

I did some testing in my driveway and was expecting more distance out of the larger reel. However, preliminary results I got up to 8' more average (35' vs 43') out of an older Shimano 200Q vs a Centron 4000 on the same rod. These were with 12# braid, I got 46' out of the Shimano 200Q with 6# Mr. Crappie line. My main goal was determining the best reel, as I plan to spool with 4# Berkley XT when it comes in. I also tried some spin cast reels in which I got 39-40' with the same rod and 6# line. The spincast feels more natural to me, so I may rig up 1 pole with it and test on the water. The rain has set in so it delayed my testing, as I want to try Shimano Sienna and Ozark Trail also.

I tested 4 rods which are all different brands in 5' ultralight, 6'8" light, 5'6" medium, and 6' medium-heavy actions. The ultralight and light actions were nearly identical for the reels I was able to try. I was expecting the longer rod to perform better, but this could be due to the 5' being a Falcon and the 6'8" being a Sougayilang. Once the weather clears up, I'll look more in depth at rod blanks and etc.

I use braid so mileage may vary with mono. I prefer a a long shallow spool when I can get it

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I use braid so mileage may vary with mono. I prefer a a long shallow spool when I can get it

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I want to go with the smaller braid, but I am horrible at managing tangles. Great point on a long shallow spool, haven't thought about that but make sense.

As long as the braid stays tight on the spool I have very little issues. If it gets a loop or gets loose and a little under wrapped it can make a heck of a mess coming off the spool

I use 1000 series Shimano or Okuma spinning reel with a 6ft medium light rod to shoot docks. I use 4lb sufix tangerine color mono (seeing your line is crucial for dock shooting). I do have a Daiwa Silvercast spincast rod with a 6ft medium rod I use to skip docks. I use the same motion as skipping rocks over the water surface when skipping it under docks. I am deadly accurate with this method but I have to use a 1/16 jig or larger in order to get any distance (i prefer 1/32nd). I use 6lb mono on this setup.

For now I’m going to use the 200 series on the 6’8” light action rod and the trigger spin on the 5’ Falcon ultralight. The 6’8” rod feels really comfortable because I can use the cork handle to hold the line while loading rod (see pic).

The 4000 size reel was only about 50% capacity which may be why it wouldn’t shoot as far. It is a little bulky for what I liked, so I will use it for casting or longlining.

Attachment 444912


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Blinded by the pole! Thanks for your review/results

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Originally Posted by BuckeyeCrappie

Blinded by the pole! Thanks for your review/results

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Lol. A relative gave me the pole and I thought I’d use it as an extra for kids. Ended up being a well balance pole.


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I like my 1500 reel on a 7' MicroLite rod. I've never measured, but it shoots pretty much anywhere I point it.

I'm using 10# optic yellow braid with a few feet of 6# flouro leader because the water is so clear in the winter.