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Reel for Dock Rod?


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I'd like some opinions to consider before making a spinning reel purchase for my new dock rod. Brand and size are questions for me.

The rod is a Rogue blank 5'6" split grip Med Heavy action with fast tip. It will be used for skipping soft plastics of various kinds primarily. I'm thinking 10-12# test with either mono or flouro on one spool and braid on another.

I have generally like the Pflueger Presidents (35 series) but am not opposed to other recommendations.

I have thought about the Shimano models that have a faster gear ratio (6.0:1) to aid in getting fish out quicker. Would like to stay under $100.

Your thoughts?

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Well if you like the Pflueger Presidents, then just pick up a Guide Series Tournament, they are the same reel for $49, which is about $10 cheaper. I have 7 of them and never once had a problem. Field & Stream just name them a best value.

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I own several Shimanos and I do feel that they are overpriced, especially the Stella's. Anyway the Shahara's or Symetre's series don't feel as solid as they look. You have to look at the main body and side plate of a graphite vs aluminum construction and graphite can flex significantly. But for some odd reason, the balance of rod and reel combo with Shimano's tend to feel a lot better in my hands.

A little instore test...

Just close your eyes so you wouldn't be influenced by brand. Have a buddy hand you the reels and reel for yourself.

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I have Pflueger Presidents and Guide Series Tournament reels. I'm in the process of switching to all Presidents. The reason for this is the bail on the Guide Series Tournament reels tends to close on the cast. This can become a issue when casting at dock! Now if you were jigging, I would say go for the Guide Series Tournament. The reel is smooth and so is the drag but the bail spring is weak and not the same as on the Pflueger Presidents,

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Muddog, I did have the same problem on my bigger reel that I use for casting, but I can count on one hand how many times it has flipped close. I would suggest tightening your screws, that seemed to help.

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lake, you may want to up the line size for the braid. I ain't saying, I'm just saying. \:\) Ya never know what's under a dock.

I like a bit longer rod and I stay a bit aways though. Especially in clearer water - dem bass will spook.

I'm a shimano guy, but that's becoming debatable since 3 reel handles broke on 2 Stradics, but they replaced them. I also like Sufix more than Power Pro. Check em out.

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I saw your question and it got me thinking:

What is a dock rod? How is it different from a boat rod or a shore rod?

I just have my old rod, my new rod and a few guest spares.

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By dock rod I think he means a spinning combination specifically for skipping plastics under docks while bass fishing (or maybe its just a great excuse to 'need another rod' for my wife). If I'm fishing docks-I always have a jig n pig rod, some sort of top water or crankbait rod, and a spinning rod with worm or senko rigged and ready to cast. I use the 6 ft rod, guide series tournament, 12lb fluoro and it worked great.

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I would suggest a size 30 reel. I like the shorter rods for skipping, mine are all Falcon series. Check out Cabelas, they had the Quantum Kinetic in any size at a great price and then there is a 15.00 rebate, also a free tournament series rod. I think that offer ran thru Cabelas Club Card days. Which is next weekend. The Quantum PT series reels have the strongest bail system on the market today. And yes, Ebass has it. Up you tensile strenght on the braid go with 30 plus on docks, it will save you fish.

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Thanks guys - Newcastle hit it right - although I call it a dock rod it is really a skipping rod since I'll use it to get under trees and anything else I want to skip a bait to in addition to docks. EB - I do have others for longer distance skipping and even open water skipping when I want to emulate a baitfish on a cast rather than a single splash of the bait landing. I could not agree more about spooking fish in clear water but I also find dock fish especially not really prone to spooking except in the early season. I did not clarify enough on tbe braid size - likely it will be 12# diameter which would make it 30# tensile strength or higher if I remember right.

Checked out some reels mentioned and am leaing toward a Symmetre (sp?) by Shimano right now but want to check out more of what was mentioned above.

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