Rod builders

[Burtle]

Any suggestions? I’m wanting a dock shooting rod made for the kayak I bought. I’ve had guys say go with a 5’ or 5’6” rod for dock shooting out of kayaks.

For the guys who make rods is that something you suggest? What’s the average cost to have a dock shooting rod made these days?

the reel would be a president

[Tom 513]

Buy a B&M sharpshooter

[S10CHEVY]

Go here and ask your question, they should know.

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/rod-building-forum/

[DockShootinJack]

Sounds like an awesome rod to build

[skeetbum]

The length would be affected by the overall conditions that you normally fish. Tight quarters I like a shorter rod like those you mentioned. I have the liberty to carry many rods, but not so in a kayak. I have a 6’6” medium fast with a light tip that does most everything I ask of it, and it’s out of production. My opinion is to get one that’s affordable and feels good to you and start after them dock fish and you’ll get the feeling, as time passes, whether a newer, different rod is needed. When it is and you hold it in your hand, you’ll know it right away and you’ll carry it home. Nice when that happens. I have bought rods that were recommended or that I thought would be the best ever and been disappointed. Hold it in your hand before you buy it. Building one special for the job would be a tough call for me. So many rods listed as say a medium light action are very different from one mfg to another.

[SuperDave336]

Buy a B&M sharpshooter

This ^^^^^

The BnM Sharpshooter Six is a 6’ rod that works great for dock shooting. It was made for it. Rod works well for other fishing as well. Definitely one of my favorites.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

Check out the LEWS Wally Marshall Dock Shooters. I have 4 and really really like them. Academy sports sell them as does Amazon.

[bfish]

I'm not sure I see an advantage of dock shooting from a kayak. Even in an elevated seat kayak, you are already so much lower to the water than a traditional powerboat. I would be inclined to sidearm cast and skip the jig way back vs shooting.

That said, if you are adamant about dock shooting from a kayak, I would go with 5' moderate action rod. For me, 6' is too high off the water from my normal shooting style (ie I would have to hold the reel around shoulders to keep the jig out of the water on the "shot"/cast) 5' is about right, although I could go shorter.

Batson RX6 or Mudhole MHX for around $30 for the blank, if you want graphite. Fiberglass, for this application, works great, and being that the rod is so short, the slightly heavier weight of the blank won't be that noticeable. A Batson fiberglass blank will be around $15. Keep in mind you can always trim off the butt end of the blank.