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Might be going dock shooting and others with lowe175 this weekend! I know this is probably a dumb question, but I was recommended to use 4lb since I don't know really the crappie thump. Can I use any of my medium action rods or does it need to be a light rod? I have one light rod that is 5' my mediums are 6-6.5 but say line 6+. What are your recommendations?
Go light. Glenn is a great dock shooter. Get ready to be taken to school. Lol
Dock Shooting Jack can help I’m sure.
I've done it with UL 5' rods & up to med 7' rods ... lines of 4# & 6# test ... and they all worked.
Initially, I didn't focus on a "thump", but was a dedicated line watcher. Pretty sure I used hi-vis lines back then, too. All I was looking for was for the line to "jump", just the slightest bit, and I set the hook. Those days were when I utilized the Vertical Casting method the most, and when it paid off the most (after having shot the dock extensively). Those days were also when I was initially using weedless jigheads (which paid off in less hangups, but no less bites or hooked fish).
I shot the jig under the dock ... engaged the reel as I lifted the rod tip up to the 10-11 o'clock postition ... began slowly reeling in, while allowing the line to stay slightly sloped (not taught or in a straight line from rod tip to water's surface). This way the jig can be sucked in with no resistance from the rod, yet the line jump indicates the bite. Instant slack line, when you know your jig isn't on the bottom, is also an indication of a bite.
Luck2ya ... have fun ... and watch & learn from the experience.
I definitely watch the line as well. About half the time I set the hook because something doesn't feel right with the jig. Some days they will hammer the jig and there are not doubts you have been bit. Other days the bite is almost undetectable. The jig just doesn't feel right. There is a fish on when you set the hook. Everyone's still of shooting docks is different. Take the gear he suggests. I started shooting docks in the area I believe he fished. Certainly a great area for dock shooting. It is a very addictive past time