The Best Value Spinning Combo For Dock Fishing [Rod & Reel]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
The BEST VALUE spinning combo for dock fishing is AVAILABLE in our online tackle shop!
This combo is a bit heavier for pulling big fish out from intrusive structures like docks.
Learn more in the video below!!
Spinning Combo For Dock Fishing [VIDEO]
Dock Fishing Spinning Combo:
- TFO Professional Series 7′ Medium-Heavy
- TFO Professional Series 7’6″ Medium-Heavy
- Daiwa BG 2500
- Power Prawn USA Shrimp Lures
- Hoss Football Jigheads
For fishing around docks and structures, you need the power to reel in these big fish and you need a rod that can accurately cast artificial lures.
Your casts and accuracy are crucial to your success later on.
This combination is what we’ve found to be the best bang for your buck while also fulfilling the requirements of a heavy-duty dock fishing outfit.
You will cast right where you want and have the necessary power to pull fish out from under structure.
The Rod
Included in this combo is the TFO Professional S Series 7′ Medium-Heavy rod.
Note: In the video, I am using a 7’6″ model, however, the 7′ rod provides better casting accuracy for dock fishing situations.
It is recommended to use an 8-17 lb braid with the TFO Pro S Medium-Heavy.
In this case, I have a 15-lb braid on but in lots of situations I’ll bump that up to 20-lb.
Even though 20-lb is just over the ‘limit’, this rod holds 20-lb line without any issue.
The Reel
The reel included in this combo is the Daiwa BG 2500.
The BG reels are bigger in each size when compared to other reels of the same class.
So the Daiwa BG 2500 is the size of most 3000 reels.
Dock fishing necessitates lots of casting and reeling so you want a lightweight reel with as much power as possible.
The line capacity on this reel is more than you need and it packs a punch.
Braid, Leader, & Lures
As I mentioned above, my reel is spooled with 15-lb Daiwa x8 Grand J-Braid on most days.
If you set out to strictly dock fish all day, I would bump up to 20lb braid.
And you can also get the BEST LURE for dock fishing at our online shop – the Power Prawn USA rigged on a Hoss Football Jig.
Hoss Football Jigheads are brand new and specifically designed for the Power Prawn USA artificial shrimp lures.
Conclusion
There are docks everywhere.
As the water cools and temperatures drop, docks are a perfect place to try and pluck off a few fish from.
This is a setup that provides you the confidence to go out and target monster fish sitting underneath docks or around heavy structures.
Keep in mind too, you can fish docks all year round!!!
Do you have any more questions on the best value spinning combo for dock fishing?
What is your personal setup for dock fishing?
Please leave a comment down below!!
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Your stories are all right but I prefer what I throw pretty much all the time which is a Shimano 1000 with a 6-ft Berkeley and 30 lb braid
Great article! I wonder, do you consider a bait caster with the inherent “winch” recover a better choice (exclusive of cost)?
Love these articles – I added a few additional thoughts in the HELP!!!! article.
Thanks!
I just got the rod but I order the fuego 3000 can the fuego handle it also and I be putting 15Lb braid on it
How long and what size leader are you using on that set-up?
For dock fishing, I now use leaders that are about 3 ft long since the mono is better at abrasion when rubbing up against pilings compared to braid. I tie the FG knot and I cast it through the guides after making sure that I cinched the FG knot tight enough to have the first coil dug into the leader.
Please give us a Class on Night Fishing Docks?
I use the same exact strategy for fishing docks at night… the only change is that I put a high priority on targeting the areas with lights shining in the water (either directly down via lights designed to attract fish or via flood lights that cast light into the shallows along shorelines).
I beg to differ on the reel I bought the bg combo from west marine in the 3000 series and thought it was great at first then after a couple trips the reel started to get stiff so I cleaned it after flushing it and luring it like I do on all my reels and it still was stiff so I replaced it with a 3000 series Shimano nasci never had a problem like that again in fact I never really clean my nascis all I do is flush them good with fresh water and add some reel grease to where grease is needed and some 656 marine spray lube that is great on anything that gets saltwater on it and wipe off the excess with a rag and im good until next time and your tfo sounds weird being a 7 ft or 7 6 foot rod and being medium heavy and is only rated for line up to 17lb test my medium heavy MOJO inshore series st Croix rod is good for lines to 30lb test to me that makes more sence the stiffer the rod the heavier the line one should be able to use plus I have heard a few people on saltstrong break there tfo rods never broke a st Croix yet but if I do it’s got a no Hassel 5 year warranty on it and after the 5 years are up its only 50 bucks to replace it and that’s a deal hard to top now I’ll stick with what’s worked for years my Shimano s paired with a st Croix inshore rod after all there motto is the best rods on earth well they back up that claim and that’s for sure😉👍
Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the BG 3000. I have several BG 2500 reels and they all have been working great without any need of servicing similar to what you described on your Nasci.
Yes, those St. Croix Mojo Inshore series rods are stronger/stiffer than most other lines of spinning rods, so I’m not surprised to see the disparity of line class ratings.
I generally find your information to be very good. I take exception however to adjusting the real drag when fighting a fish. The drag on the real should be set to 1/3 of the lines braking strength using a scale tied to the line. Once set it should not be touched. If when fighting a fish, you need additional pressure, lightly palm the real. It’s amaging how well that works. And if done properly you should be able to apply the needed pressure without breaking the line. Adjusting the drag while fighting a fish is dangerous because you may be applying to much drag pressure which can lead to the line breaking and after the fight your drag needs to be reset, if your remember that it needs to be reset. I have done enough tournament fishing to know.
Your exception is very valid as you’re absolutely right about the need to set the drag at ~30% of the line’s strength and then leave it alone. My issue was that I set it based on feel when I started, but I realized it was based on the 10 lb line that I normally use vs. the 15 lb I was using that trip… so I had to bump it up a couple clicks to get to where I should have been to start with.
Through reading quite a few articles you seem to be changing up your line sizes and some times brands very frequently. I don’t have an arsenal of rods and reels, or huge budget. What would you suggest would be the best all around budget say three rod setups for all around inshore fishing, Docks, tree covered banks, open pockets, grass flats ect? I fish from the bank or kayak if that changes anything.
Yes, I have been experimenting around with various line brands and sizes so you and other members don’t have to. This setup rigged with 15 to 20 lb J-braid 8 grand (or Power Pro) is the best value combo in the ~$200 price point for targeting bigger fish around structure, and the TFP Pro S Medium with a Fuego 2500 rigged with 10 lb J-Braid (or PowerPro) is my favorite for targeting fish out on the flats where longer casts are crucial.
With those 2 setups, you’ll be ready for 95%+ of the situations you’ll run into while inshore saltwater fishing for reds, snook, trout, and flounder.
I need that combo. Just changed to braided line have a lot of problems with tangles and line going under the spool. What can I do to eliminate the problem
What line and reel are you using? Sounds like the line may be too thin for whichever reel that is assuming the issue is that the line is squeezing through the edge of the roller bearing.
Perfect setup for dock fishing, thanks Luke!!
It has proven to be very effective for this type of fishing.