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Do you guys ever use a rod 10’ or longer to stick under a dock instead of shooting a jig with success? I would imagine setting the hook might be hard if there isn’t much clearance.
Just seeing how how successful this tactic is, or if it’s a waste of time. Thanks!
I would totally break a rod tip sticking under a dock. Now laying down beside a boat or in a crack maybe but just easier to shoot the dock and keep rods safe.
It would be difficult to set the hook, and the potential for breaking the rod would be high. Also, most fish that I catch shooting docks, hit the jig on the fall. I usually see the line jump or twitch. Be hard to see with the rod under the dock.
We do it some when we fish a lake with docks, not very good at shooting because we just don't have many chances to do it where we are, no docks to speak of. When we do fish a lake with a few docks we have to try it.
Set the hook with your off hand by pulling the line, much the same as we do when wading and fishing in the really thick stuff. Not easy but can be done.
I can shoot a jig under a dock with a spincasting reel if I have 2ft of clearance. All it takes is a underhand cast. I'm not as accurate as I am with a spinning rod but I can get in a whole lot more cast.
I tried this technique with a 14' rod and it was way to heavy to hold it still. Dock shooting takes some practice but is doable. I sat on my deck and shot jigs under the railing for a couple hours a day until I became consistent. I use a very light weight 5' rod that has some whip to the tip.
Uhhh .... you're not going to get a jig very far back under a dock with only 10' of rod. nonono
I've tried to pendulum swing a jig under docks before, and that was worse than trying to shoot the jig with a 8' FnF rod :Doh:
You'd probably be better off trying to sidearm cast the jig under the dock with a 10' rod, than trying to shoot the jig or especially just poking it under there and dropping the jig. But, in all seriousness ... just use a 6' spinning outfit and practice a little, and you'll get the jig under there a lot more often.
The only time I've ever considered using a long rod to "poke" my bait under a dock is when using a slip float/minner rig ... and even that was only done a few times (back when I still used minners ;) ).
Probably good for floating docks where you mark fish. I think one of Ed Duke’s YouTube videos has him doing this.
YouTube
This guy does it with great success. Even on the docks he can't get a boat under. I've witnessed his technique before, he vertical jigs and uses the pendulum swing. I don't he really ever shoots docks in the traditional sense.
YouTube
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I guess it all depends on what you consider "shooting docks" here in Oklahoma at least where I fish the docks literally sit on flotation in the water so your left with areas of about 6 to 12 inches high in most cases which leads to the "shooting" your jig into the tight places to get back under the docks; from what I seen in the video I wouldn't consider that shooting docks just fishing under them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snubby
I’m with Lonnie, I don’t consider that shooting. Productive yes, but different. I have reached into the area in front of a boat in a boathouse but hook setting was dicey at best, and our docks were floating and without the posts shown in the video. Be neat to get under some like that.
Be careful, but it will work. Used to do it bream fishing!