How long of rod to use for shooting docks and why? Thanks. I been using a 5'6:cheers2 micro from Walmart.
Printable View
How long of rod to use for shooting docks and why? Thanks. I been using a 5'6:cheers2 micro from Walmart.
I use a 4'6" rod the majority of the time, but have a 5'er as well. I carry 3 DS rods so when I get hung up, I keep fishin' and re-ty later.
That's what I use to. 5'6 shakespeare micro graphite rod. it is the easiest to manage for me. And they are cheap. I like that length cause it is easy to get the jig in your hand with a minimal amount of line out. I very the amount of line out for shooting in different spots and depending how far I want it to go. It's also easy to fight a fish in a tight area. Like if it's windy and you need to stay close to the dock to help keep a big bow or slack out of your line.
I use 5 and 5.6 my favorite is a 5.6 b&m sharpshooter...the longer rods seem alot more accurate to me I have a 4.6 sharpshooter that always seems to hit high to me so I leave it at the house (going to sell it). The easiest rod to learn to shoot with is a 5ft ugly stick because only the end portion of the rod bends, and u ain't gone break it!
Some good advice been posted and I agree on the BnM Sharpshooter. Something else to check is how the rod balances in "your" hand with "your" reel. It will make a big difference when you are making 300+ shots a trip.
Sent from my BlackBerry 8530 using Tapatalk
Shinerunner that's so true. No matter what rod I buy I like to be able to put the reel I want on it and check how it balances. I take the rod with reel on it and lay it across my index finger just in front of the reel. If it tilts slightly toward the tip I know that I have it matched correctly. If not it will wear out your forearm and hand in no time.
That's one good thing about the sharpshooter you can put the reel wherever you want ....where its balanced best.
Another note on dock shooting rods ...alot of people say cherrywood rods are good but don't waste your $ I caught them on clearance at academy for$ 9 each and bought 4 of them and broke every one of them in no time.
Slinger.Thanks for the advice. I have looked at the cherrywood in the past and almost bought one.Quote:
Originally Posted by jigslinger
I also have a 5'6 b&m shooter and like it too.The big eyes is what makes it work so well for shootin.
I use a Walley Marshall Dock Rod that is 4'6". I have bought every cheap rod (Micro, Bass Pro, etc.) made several times trying to save money. I know only use Walley Marshall Dock Rods. They used to cost $29 at Bass Pro and all of you know I am one cheap son of a gun and that price killed me. I now own 6 and would not ever go back to the cheaper ones now that I have tried the best. They are limber and short enough to shoot that jig anywhere you need to put it, but strong enought to horse a 2 pound crappie out from under a dock before he gets you hung up. Believe me I AM CHEAP, but they are well worth the money. GOOD LUCK!
Buster's bait and tackle in Alabama modifies a ugly stick for dock shooting. It's a medium action that is shorten to 5' with better guides. Jam up rods plus great guy to deal with.Quote:
Originally Posted by jigslinger
Bass Pro Shop Microlite!! 5'6" - 4 POUND P LINE HI VIS GREEN. PFLUEGER TRION OR PRESIDENT REELS. I have never broken a Microlite so I do not mind paying a little more for them. I have four of them. Two are for guests!!
Its a good idea to have 3 just alike (even though I don't practice what I preach all mine are a different brand or lenght) if I shoot my ugly stick for a hour then pick up my sharpshooter it takes a couple shots to get zeroed back in. The reason I have different ones is different secnarios ...I can shoot that ugly stick as accurate as a 22 rifle, if I want to get the jig in a very tight spot with a 1 inch clearance either way the ugly stick will do it.
but if I have just a little more room to play with I like the sharpshooter because of its sensitivity and great feel.
I know I just kinda contradicted what I said in the first sentence ...I just love talking dock shooting!
The two I use is just what I had to fish dock lights but they are prob a 4ft6 micro spin and a 5ft ugly dtick both have browning ultra light reels I found on sale at bass pro love the reels use 6pound hi viz mr crappie line they do the trick but I do like thefeel and acc of the micro better jig ive been thinking of buying a sharp shooter let me know when youwanna get rid of it I should prob find one to see how I like the feel of it
SHUG87, I have a Sharpshooter that you can try to see if you like it before you buy one. Just pm me and I will meet you somewhere. My office is off of hwy 247.
Sure thing mr earl I will get with before I go again thank you
Shug I used to use the mr crappie line also. I was at bass pro a while back and bought some crappie Maxx hi vis 4 lb just to try cause it was cheap ( 7.99 for 3200 yards ) it is just as limp ass the mr crappie but about twice as strong. When jigslinger and I were shooting docks and fishing brush he was amazed at how I could pull up tree limbs and straighten out hooks under docks with 4 lb line so he got some to try out and he is sold on it now to. Try it out I think you will love it. And save a bunch of money to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shug87
I have used many dock shooters that are mentioned above, and the best shooter would be a 6 foot, St. Croix light action im6, one piece blank with a custom Tennessee handle. Many store bought rods shoot great, but they ALL lack feel after the shot, which makes a huge difference when you're not using live bait, because you only have a few seconds before they spit it. Spring for a custom IMO.
Randy Pope is probably the best dock shooter in the country and all he uses is a 4'6" rod. Not sure of the make. Ricky Willis and Troy Theil are probably one of the best in middle ga and I believe they like the 5'6" BPS Microlite. Bottom line....its what you get used to using and having confidence in what your using. One may argue that this is better than that. Find a pole you like, get comfortable with it and fish with confidence.
That's exactly right ...you can google" best dock shooting rod" and read post forever of everyones different opinions of what's best.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Williams
I have two BnM 4.5 sharpshooters, work great and never had a problem with them.