Things Iv learned Shooting Docks this year.

Iv been shooting dock since before Wally Marshall made it popular. But this year I have, thanks to new equipment available specifically for shooting docks, tried some different stuff and am very happy with my results.

First Line. Ive tried a lot of line and mono really twists and tangles and does not lay on the spools very good. This year I tried NanoFill. This stuff has no memory and does not tangle around the end of the rod tip or twist at all. Number 1 choice. Great stuff but is pricey. I lile the Clear mist which is actually White and is very visible to see those lite bites.

Second Rods. I used to shoot with a Crappie Max 5 foot rod for several years and was very happy with it. I tried some 7 foot rods this year on the advise of CrappiePappy and others. Ding Ding Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. Love the longer rods. 2 rods in particular. Ugly Stick Elite has 2 rods I love. USESP701M and USESP701MH. Ugly Stik® Elite Spinning Rod | Ugly Stik® 7 foot, 1 piece spinning rods, Medium and Medium Heavy with Fast Tip. Either of these rods work superbly for shooting docks. I also have the same rod in Medium Lite and it works but not as aggressively as the Med and Med Heavy. Totally recommend these rods.
I also have been using a discontinued Outlaw 7 foot 2 piece rod. Medium with fast tip. The long and short of it is I look for a stiff rod with a fast tip to scoot those jigs a long way .

Third Reels. I have always bought small spinning reels and thats what iv used for shooting. This year I bought a large spinning reel with a big spool. Love the larger spool for line management and fewer loops in the line.

Baits. I think nearly any crappie jig will make a good dock bait. Keeping the body up on the hook is always a problem. Iv tried some a lot of different style baits and no ground breaking success. The force of shooting the jig caused the body to come loose. Super Glue still seems to be the best solution for keeping the body in place. Id like to hear from others on this situation. 2 baits iv had good luck with is the Joker and Shad Pole Curly Tail.

Lets hear some feedback and tips on dock shooting

The only thing I would add is :

Try weedless jigheads. :biggrin


I've never really had much of a problem with solid body plastics coming down on the jig hook from "shooting" docks. I've only "had" to use glue on hollow body tubes, which I seldom use anymore since switching to solid body plastics.

The Panfish Assassin 1.5" Tiny Shad has always been a favorite of mine, when dock shooting.

Thanks for your post, a very interesting read. I really did like the part about line, have that same problem my self. I like no longer than a 6' fast tip rod. I am a rather short fellow, longer rods seam to be hard to control. I just bought a ESP 6' rod that Crappiepappy recommended sometime back. I to like the ugly stick rods my number 2 go to, I have a BNM sharp shooter in 5'6" that is number 1. I glue my baits up before I go out, I have a bunch in different styles and known colors. Again thanks for your input. By the way I used to live in Lindenhurst, its by Deep Lake. I worked in Antioch at Raymond Chevy olds.

I should note the rods I listed are the ones I really like. I have bought and tried Probly 15 diffrent rods this year, many specifically for dock shooting, and have not fallen in love with any of them. I have no alligence to ugly stick the 2 rods just work for me. As mentioned don't be afraid of a medium heavy rod as it will fling a 1/16th oz jig a long way.
Another thing on reels. If you use a large spool reel and nanofill line, put some mono backing on the spool as nanofill is to expensive to spool the whole reel.

I used to use a dab of glue to help hold plastics upon the jig head. Did that for the longest. After going to the double cross jig head a few years ago I pretty much don't use it anymore.

Attachment 251818

A few years ago my local Academy store had there 4lb nanofil on clearance for $3 a spool. I purchased 10 spools and it is some great line. It took me awhile to find a good knot for it since it is so slick.

Good info as I have yet to shoot docks. Hopefully soon as I get my boat I will travel and find a lake with good docks


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Originally Posted by Pantastic

I used to use a dab of glue to help hold plastics upon the jig head. Did that for the longest. After going to the double cross jig head a few years ago I pretty much don't use it anymore.

Attachment 251818

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I just aquired some of those and they are on my list of things to try.......

X2 on NanoFil and the Double Cross jig head is great. Those hooks will bite and hold soft plastics extremely well.

Regards


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Good information. I have very limited experience with shooting docks in my area mainly because our redneck carpenter dock builders REALLY REALLY REALLY love them some cross braces.

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Originally Posted by G4bama

Good information. I have very limited experience with shooting docks in my area mainly because our redneck carpenter dock builders REALLY REALLY REALLY love them some cross braces.

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(all the more reason to use weedless jigs :biggrin )

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

(all the more reason to use weedless jigs :biggrin )

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What kind of weed less jigs are you using

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Originally Posted by barrelslime

What kind of weed less jigs are you using

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Grousefly makes my weedless jigheads ... 1/32oz & 1/16oz ballhead - unpainted - clear Y-guard or clear fiber brush style - #4 & #2 Aberdeen hook (in either size head).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42...y/jigheads.jpg

I also have some black Y-guard jigheads that he made for me (as pictured above)

He also makes several other styles :

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/attac...-50108_006-jpg

Counting from the top left ... the third & fourth jig are the two styles I use.

Where u guys getting this line at?? Never heard of it!

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Originally Posted by CrappieCrazed

Where u guys getting this line at?? Never heard of it!

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If you are talking about Nanofil .... you can get it at Wal-Mart, Cabela's, Dicks Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, BPS, or likely anywhere Berkley line is sold.

On the nanofil, what # test line do you use? This last year was the first time I did any dock shooting and used WM 6# high vis yellow with a 1/16 oz jig and it worked pretty well but always willing to try to find something that may work better.

Also read that there certain knots that are necessary for this type of line. We do 95% vertical jigging and pretty much use a loop knot all the time and it seems to work pretty well when dock shooting also. Does anyone know if this knot will work with this line?

Thanks

Iv been using 8#. As far as knots youtube it or inside the package there are knots for tying Nanofill. It is a slick line and will pull out some knots when you tighten them. I always start out with a square knot in the end of my line, then tie my knot. Pull it and force the square knot up to my other knot. It will pull up to it but the square knot wont pull through the line knot.
Hope that makes since.

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Originally Posted by barrelslime

Iv been using 8#. As far as knots youtube it or inside the package there are knots for tying Nanofill. It is a slick line and will pull out some knots when you tighten them. I always start out with a square knot in the end of my line, then tie my knot. Pull it and force the square knot up to my other knot. It will pull up to it but the square knot wont pull through the line knot.
Hope that makes sense.

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Exactly what I do when tying a knot in PowerPro 10/2 ... especially when the braid is new. That extra knot in the tag end allows me to use a simple Improved Clinch knot and not have it slip open.

Thanks for the response.

What is the best knot to use on Nanofil line?

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Originally Posted by tncrappiebass

What is the best knot to use on Nanofil line?

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Iv been using 8#. As far as knots youtube it or inside the package there are knots for tying Nanofill.

Do a Youtube search for nanofil knot by Mark McDonald. It is by the far the best knot I have used for slick nanofil and I have tried alot of knots to keep it from slipping.

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

Exactly what I do when tying a knot in PowerPro 10/2 ... especially when the braid is new. That extra knot in the tag end allows me to use a simple Improved Clinch knot and not have it slip open.

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I use a clinch knot also Pappy

Thanks for the nanofil tip. I always have trouble with line twist. Just got back from LOZ doing some dock shooting. I have good luck using Maribou jigs. There is nothing to slide off so you don't have to worry about that!

I have something to add: I got an All Star Dock Rod. It worked out very well. Very forgiving tip with lots of backbone. Is recommend this rod also.

Thought I would check out your post and am glad I did! Lots of
good useful info, since I started dock shooting this year. I do use
the Bobby Garland Head Dockt'R Shooter heads with the double
collar and have had no trouble with the plastics. Thanx for posting!
Tight Lines - Dave

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Originally Posted by barrelslime

Another thing on reels. If you use a large spool reel and nanofill line, put some mono backing on the spool as nanofill is to expensive to spool the whole reel.

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GOOD POINT!