Good rod for Blue Gill on docks

[Lester D]

  Love to Blue Gill and Fish from docks with roof. I have purchased a mess of different rods. I was looking into a rod that I could feel a small jig and set hook and pick up fish out of the water to dock. Also  use for Crappie because they bite too on same jig. I saw that Shakespeare  Ugly Stick elite has a 5' and a 6'6" UL. But reading not very sensitive . Was thinking of a 5 1/2 or 6 ' rod would work also what action for rod . Thank you and I am new to forum. I love the info on this form. What would work the best . Price about medium range 

[carl hendrix]

Hi Lester; and welcome to our site;; LOL;; your going to get a lot of answers to this question !!  question for you tho;; are you fishing pretty much straight down ? or casting out  a little ?? the type of fishing line; is also going to be a major factor;; if not the most improtant one !!  Several members prefer braid line; some prefer flurocarbon; some prefer; a colored mono . Each;; has its place and works really well. If your fishing; pretty much straight down; perhaps a B n M pole would do good for you;; as for casting; we all I think; prefer spinning rods and reels. ( a president reel is hard to beat ). A fiberglass rod; has less sentivity than a fibercarbon rod.;; But; by far; a fiberglass rod; has much better strength; and no doubt; last longer than a fibercarbon rod.  Another question for you;; what type of bait are you using ?? Jigs ? hooks and crickets and worms ?  my own set up;  with a spinning gear is;; a fenwick rod; 6ft 6 in ( I just prefer using long rods; get a little better leverage with them fighting big fish; and they cast a little bit further) and have a president reel ; with Mr. Crappie mono  line on it. That line; is a colored line; and I can actually use it as a type of float;; if I see the line twitch;; I set the hook !

[Lester D]

I am fishing straight down with jigs  and casting between boats, using worms at times and using a spinning rod and reel. I am using a President reel  and Shamino reels prefer President  will use this rod for all around dock type fishing. Using Trilene XL 4 to 6 lb test  

[carl hendrix]

Lester;; one way to test a rods senitivity; which I just have become aware of;  is to have a buddy with you;;  let him put the rod tip; up to his vocal cords; while you hold the rod; let him speak in a very low voice-  ( can you feel this );; if you can feel him speak; thru the rod to your hand;; thats a very senitive rod !!  the thing is;; is the action of the rod; also;; it can be a stiff rod; or a whimpy one; both can be that senitive ! So;; the action of the rod; would really have  to be up to you on that.  Asuggestion is; start at one end of a rod rack; check it out;; see how; or if you like it; then try another one. Berkly; St. Croix; Fenwick;  Shakespear; all make great rods.  also remember;; the cost of a rod; wont catch you more fish !  a 5 dollar rod and reel; can catch just as many; as a 1000 dollar rod and reel !!

[Slip Sinker]

Welcome aboard Lester!

one of my favorite rigs i fish around docks , bridges and other shoreline structures. it resides in my vehicle or boat at all times... one of my favorite features of this setup is the rod.... at 5-6' it is light, short , quick tip and some butt back bone

[Lester D]

What about the  5'  Shimano Clarus Spinning Rod UL Medium Fast one piece for dock Jigging and casting baits on docks