I'm thinking about purchasing a Wally Marshall Speed Shooter rod and was wondering if anyone has had experience with this rod? Bass Pro had it as well as Cabela's. They carry it no longer. Anyone know why? Don't want to purchase and find out there was a major design flaw.

Get a pro angler 5'6 you will not be disappointed.

I use a Wally Marshall Speed Shooter and it has been really good. I think I got the 6'9" Medium Light fast action one. They must sell quite a bit because they are hard to find. If I could improve one thing it would probably be the backbone. If it were just a tad stouter, it would shoot a little further.

I agree pro anglers are Awesome, I use 5.5ft and 6.5ft for dock shooting.

I have a Pro Angler 4.5ft and that is my favorite to really get back in the shade under docks. It's all personal preference. Have you learned how to dock shoot yet? Or just beginning? I learned with the 4.5ft and never saw a need to have a longer rod, To me that would just be more to get in the way. I paired the rod with a small Pflueger spinning reel and 6 lb Stren. Love it!

PA 5.5'

I haven't had the pleasure to use the WM speed shooter.

What reel would you use?

I have two 6' 6" PA's that I use for tournaments and they are very nice for dock shooting. For fun fishing, I use a 6' 6" Ugly Stix GX2 because I have hit the docks or boat gunnel with the rod tip when I am trying to get the jig in some very tight spots. I also let others on my boat use the GX2's if they have never tried dock shooting. That fiberglass tip has kept it from breaking many times and the ferrule for the breakdown/two-piece are closer to the butt of the rod so you don't have that hard spot in the middle of the rod which helps to get the jig way back there (that and not hitting the side of the dock!!!). And you can find them at Wallyworld for $30 bucks or so.

Any spinning reel will work but you will get a lot of line twist so I put a swivel about a foot from the jig.

If you have never done it, I suggest getting a bucket and laying it on its side and practicing in your backyard before your trip. Keep moving around and trying from different angles and distances until you get the hang of it. When you are fighting the wind, waves, trolling motor and the docks you will be glad you practiced first and will have a better day of fishing. Also, take a beat up jig/bait and practice skipping it off the concrete into the bucket because that is what you want to do once you get on the water. And just like skipping rocks across the water when you were a kid (for some of us, that was a long time ago!!!), it's all about the angle if you want it to skip far.

I also tell/show others that have never done it to make sure the top (butt end) and the bottom (tip end) of the rod are both parallel with the water or else the bait won't skip back there as far. Also try to start in a kneeling position and once you get used to it and have it figured out (or when the back starts killing you!!!) you can shift to a standing position (again, it's all about getting the angles right so the jig will skip).

Last thing is to check the last 3' or your line frequently as it will become frayed sooner while dock shooting. Watch the line where it enters the water and set the hook on any twitch or if it doesn't fall or starts to move sideways. Very seldom will you feel the "Thump". Have a blast and once you get the hang of it it will become your favorite way to fish too.

@HORTON5303 Longer rod helps get me get better and faster hooksets with all the slack in the line, I can shoot further back under the dock with a longer rod as well. just my

I will also add to get you some 1/16 oz jig heads with the straight wire keeper (bent at a 45 degree angle back towards the head) from Redgun on here and then get you some Lip Ripper baits or Constant Pursuit baits which are much more durable (harder plastic) so you won't have to keep re-positioning your bait after every shot.

Exactly what he said

This ^^

I got my arse schooled using shorter/limber rods a few weeks back...had to graduate to my 7 foot one piece Boneheads for redemption...

Good info

Thanks to all who put info. On this request. I truly love this sport and the passion that everyone on the forum has for it. I condition my line and use a 5 1/2 one-piece rod that has decent backbone but is more 'whippy' than I would like. Didn't know if the Ai
rwave guides are worth it or not.