Question: Dock shooting jig head weight

Got my first boat. 14' Gamefisher Jon Boat. Going to use trolling motor only till I afford to buy a gas motor.

I will be dock shooting in upper Chattahoochee river (GA) and Lake Lanier (GA). I will be fishing in the coves. 14' jon boat has no chance in the open water in Lake Lanier. Also, I will be trout fishing from the boat in lower Chattahoochee river.

Quick question, what weight jig head should I use for dock shooting? I have been practicing dock shooting in a five gallon bucket.

Thanks in advance.

I typically start with 1/32 for a slower fall rate and as the season progresses I run a 1/16 as the crappie become more aggressive and the like the faster fall. Keep at least two rods rigged for different weights. Have fun

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Originally Posted by B-52 Guy

I typically start with 1/32 for a slower fall rate and as the season progresses I run a 1/16 as the crappie become more aggressive and the like the faster fall. Keep at least two rods rigged for different weights. Have fun

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Thanks for your advice.

I bought two medium light rods for dock shooting. I also have Crappie Pro brand 1/16 sickle hooks, I am going to get 1/32. I am going to follow your advice and going to run two different weight on two rods.

Thanks

I do the same as B-52 does. Also try different body styles as that in itself will change the fall rate of the jig.

I use 1/32oz & 1/16oz for dock shooting, but mostly 1/16oz. Biggest positive change I made was going from hollow tubes to solid body stinger shad plastics. The solid body plastics seem to skip better & farther.

1/32 for under 10' and 1/16 for over. You can use the 1/16 up shallow but you have to be quick on the reel and get it moving to keep it up off bottom, and usually you are out of the strike zone too fast.. but sometimes they want that fast movement. I'm almost always using 1/32.

GA angler try some Bobby Garland baby shad in monkey milk and blue ice. Great colors and they have a great skip on the water so you can get to the backs of the darkest spots of the docks. Do not retrieve, just let the jig fall and watch your line. Sudden sag or tight line, set the hook! Use 4lb test! I prefer a 5ft 6in good backbone rod to execute the the shooting and the hookset! Have fun

I'm a little different. I use 1/16 on smaller docks and 1/8 on the larger docks, water depth also counts. Remember to shoot into the darkest part of the dock, and use a high vis line. Some times you wont feel the thump, just see your line move. I haven't been at this game long, but it has become my favorite way chase um. Over time you will find which docks hold fish the most often. It is a very productive way to ketchum....

I also use 1 16th if the fish will hit them. Sometimes the slower fall of a 1 32nd oz seems to make a difference, but it's a lot harder to use the 1 32nd oz when the wind is blowing or there is current. I have used 1 24th oz as well when I can find them, and they have worked well for me. I also love dock shooting, it is my favorite way to catch crappie.

depends on the line , 4 lb test 1/32 , 6 lb test 1/16 , 8 to 10 lb test maybe a 1/8
fall rate is critical in my opinion , to fast to fall and or have to reel to fast to keep it off the bottom will greatly reduce the amount of crappie in your bucket .
fat body baits work best ,skip better and fall slower
luck to ya

I use 4# test with 1/32 with plastics. Hand ties of the same weight work great and will fall faster.


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Also need advice about rod, I have been practicing with the 6.6, medium power graphite rod and 6.6 medium power carbon fiber rod. Graphite rod is lot easy to work with, so will buy another graphite rod. What power and action graphite rod should I get?

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by GA ANGLER

Also need advice about rod, I have been practicing with the 6.6, medium power graphite rod and 6.6 medium power carbon fiber rod. Graphite rod is lot easy to work with, so will buy another graphite rod. What power and action graphite rod should I get?

Thanks.

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I use a 6'6" ESP PowerLite rod ... and especially like it because of the extra fast tip action. I've shot docks with everything from a 5' UL to a 8' FnF rod to a 6' heavy action rod .... settling on the 6'6" ESP after all was said & done. Oddly enough, my dock shooting "mentor" used a med action 6' Bass outfit :yikes .... but, that was mainly because he already had them & saw no reason to buy anything "specifically" designed for shooting docks. :fingerdance

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Originally Posted by GA ANGLER

Also need advice about rod, I have been practicing with the 6.6, medium power graphite rod and 6.6 medium power carbon fiber rod. Graphite rod is lot easy to work with, so will buy another graphite rod. What power and action graphite rod should I get?

Thanks.

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I have a few 5.6’ ultralight action rods I use. They work great. Longer rods work too, but if you are close to your target the short rod works better I think.


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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

I use a 6'6" ESP PowerLite rod ... and especially like it because of the extra fast tip action. I've shot docks with everything from a 5' UL to a 8' FnF rod to a 6' heavy action rod .... settling on the 6'6" ESP after all was said & done. Oddly enough, my dock shooting "mentor" used a med action 6' Bass outfit :yikes .... but, that was mainly because he already had them & saw no reason to buy anything "specifically" designed for shooting docks. :fingerdance

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Originally Posted by John Doe

I have a few 5.6’ ultralight action rods I use. They work great. Longer rods work too, but if you are close to your target the short rod works better I think.


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Are you guys using graphite or fiberglass rod?

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Originally Posted by GA ANGLER

Are you guys using graphite or fiberglass rod?

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Graphite ... and in the case of ESP rods it's 40 ton High Modulus IM6 Graphite (blank & handle).

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

Graphite ... and in the case of ESP rods it's 40 ton High Modulus IM6 Graphite (blank & handle).

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Thanks.

i would start with a cheap stiff rod until you master the technique .
that way when you SNAP it in half you wont cry near as bad .
just saying :Rofl

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Originally Posted by GA ANGLER

Are you guys using graphite or fiberglass rod?

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Fiberglass. I have an H&H and ACC dockshooter


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I use a 5.5 BnM Sharpshooter rod when 4lb test. I like a 1/32 jighead with a size 4 or 2 hook. The jig fall rate is crucial when dock shooting and you want it to fall as slow as possible.

Local Academy Sports has Lew's Wally Marshall 7' Speed Shooter. Do you guys recommend this rod?

I have that rod and it’s a decent rod. I use it for multiple things and yes it works for dock shooting but my favorite dock shooter is the BnM Sharpshooter 6. Any good rod with backbone will work and help you learn. Overtime you will find what works best for you and your style. Or you will just learn to use what you have.....lol.

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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

I have that rod and it’s a decent rod. I use it for multiple things and yes it works for dock shooting but my favorite dock shooter is the BnM Sharpshooter 6. Any good rod with backbone will work and help you learn. Overtime you will find what works best for you and your style. Or you will just learn to use what you have.....lol.

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Do you recommend BnM Sharpshooter 6 over Wally Marshall Speed Shooter?
Thanks.

They are both good rods and both work fine. I think either will work for you. My opinion for dock shooting I prefer the sharpshooter. But if I have the speed shooter I could use it just as well. Don’t over think it to much.

Bought two 7' Wall'y Marshall Speed Shooter today from Academy this morning. I was using medium power and medium action fiberglass bass rods. I can feel the difference, those are very easy on hand.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GA ANGLER

Also need advice about rod, I have been practicing with the 6.6, medium power graphite rod and 6.6 medium power carbon fiber rod. Graphite rod is lot easy to work with, so will buy another graphite rod. What power and action graphite rod should I get?

Thanks.

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I have a BnM Sharpshooter 6 rod that I absolutely love for dock shooting. So much I have bought a second one. It is designed for exactly this kind of technique.

Chris

My opinion, it’s all about the fall rate and location. I prefer a 1/32 but that is confusing too as some are lighter than they say they are, and those are the ones I want. Already said, be a line watcher. I like the Bobby Garland baby Shad because of the flat sides. They skip very well but they aren’t the only ones. As you learn to shoot, you’ll be able to make line drive casts under a dock without skipping the water. This allows you to use hand tied jigs. I set up a different rod for this. The 5gal bucket is a good start but get a coffee can and start using that. Some of the holes I had to hit in TN were 6” square on floating docks. I’ve flattened out a bunch of jigs learning to hit those small holes, but they hold nice fish cuz others are intimidated by them and don’t try. Mostly, have fun with it. I use the shooting presentation about half the time I’m fishing and get behind low branches and logs, so useful.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

My opinion, it’s all about the fall rate and location. I prefer a 1/32 but that is confusing too as some are lighter than they say they are, and those are the ones I want. Already said, be a line watcher. I like the Bobby Garland baby Shad because of the flat sides. They skip very well but they aren’t the only ones. As you learn to shoot, you’ll be able to make line drive casts under a dock without skipping the water. This allows you to use hand tied jigs. I set up a different rod for this. The 5gal bucket is a good start but get a coffee can and start using that. Some of the holes I had to hit in TN were 6” square on floating docks. I’ve flattened out a bunch of jigs learning to hit those small holes, but they hold nice fish cuz others are intimidated by them and don’t try. Mostly, have fun with it. I use the shooting presentation about half the time I’m fishing and get behind low branches and logs, so useful.

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Thanks for your valuable advice. I have been hitting inside a 10 inch X 6 inch box, pushing through my limit. I will get my boat in water within next few weeks.

I use 1/32 most of the time. I do trim off the collar so they are a little lighter. I am in agreement with SkeetBum it seems the slower fall is more productive. I will switch to a larger body at times if the fish seems biting short. Seems the hardest to shoot docks hold the biggest fish. I caught my best blacknose out from under a concrete dock the was 4 inches above the water. Out came a nice 14 inch fish