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So my neighbor has a great pond with a covered dock. Lots of crappie and big (8lb) bass. Only one problem (?) - all my rods are 7 ft plus. A real pain. I've looked at the shorter spinning rods at academy and walmart - mostly toys and junk. I'm a little leery of online purchase. I would prefer to visually inspect one. But maybe yall have some suggestions? Looking at 4 to 4.5 feet, can handle 10 to 12 lb line and muscle a big bass ocasionally. So need some backbone, no lil ultralite whip. Thanks
Probably one of the ice fishing rods would work. I've watched videos of them pulling a monster Pike or Walleye out of the ice, but they use them for pan fish too. Not sure how well they would cast since they are fishing straight down.
I'd go with a short Ugly Stik or a 4'9" slider rod:Quote:
Originally Posted by van the man
https://sliderfishing.com/RODS_c64.h...3plqscsfapp001
Not my favorite rod but with the bigger fish involved, I give another vote for the ugly stick.
theysaid
4.5 pro angler light action. stiffer than my ugly stick.
^^this^^Quote:
Originally Posted by punchy
My Dock shooter is a 6 foot Rod by Pinnacle -- Millenia IM 6 Mod # mer66spm Line 8 - 17 Lb Lure 1/8 - 3/4 oz --- It has a fast tip and enough Backbone for Bass ... This is also a 2 Piece rod that could be carried anywhere
B&M dockshooters are hard to beat. 5.5 or 6ft.
so I ordered the pro angler 4.5. I think this will be the best bet for casting off this dock. I am always bashing my tips on the roof, or knocking rods into the uprights. I had a little trouble with the website and had to call them. They said some issue with google was directing folks to an old website and paypal wouldn't work there. I kinda explained my predicament and he said the rod will handle up to 4 lb bass no problem. 8's he wasn't so sure but i'll take my chances. This was the only rod I found 4.5 ft w/a 10lb line rating on it, after checking several places. we usually fish slip corks w/minnows but I've caught crappie on bare hooks here before.
Van .... I've caught Bass up to 6lbs on UL 5' rods & 4lb test line, from a boat & no net. How, easy ... I learned a long time ago how to flip the anti-reverse off & control the fish by backwinding the spinning reel when the fish made hard surges. Why, well because back in those days my el cheapo spinning reels didn't have a very dependable drag, so it became necessary if I wanted any chance at landing a large fish. (and that was back when I was using 8lb test line) I used the same backwinding technique to land a 12lb Tiger Muskie on 4lb test & a UL el cheapo rod/reel (blister pack deal from Walmart). But, in the case of the Muskie, my fishing partner did net the fish. It would have gone back into the water, except for the fact that it tore a hole thru my net with its gill plates. And it's now hanging on the living room wall (as payback) :biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by van the man
While I have used ice rods in my kayak,and have landed some heavyweights with them,they are not suited for casting.I would think a 4.5' light action would be ideal,I've landed more than a few 4 and 5 lb channelcat caught while bluegill fishing on my 4.5 ulta lites.
I caught a 4 1/2 lb'er on a dock demon on this same pond, but a $9.00 outfit definitely has its limitations. When im going for the bass, the baitcasters come out. But sometimes crappie fishin the big girls come around. I think this rod could be a good compromise.
you will love it, nice choice. I have 3 of them now.
So i ordered the rod last Thursday and it showed up Saturday morning(!). I put an old President, maybe 2500 size, on it w/10# mono. I hadn't used a rod with so much tip in a while but i got down the casting pretty quick. Hooking up took a little longer to figure out but it worked out in the end w/several little bass and crappie caught. The reel was maybe a size too big. 1 size smaller will be better. Nice little rod, perfect for what i needed. Now, to pick out a matched reel.Attachment 296431
yup, I put president 20's on mine. no complaints. love the action.