Well, this might raise a few eyebrows, but back when I was doing a LOT of dock skipping in western NY and PA, by skipping rig was an AllStar model SRMLTN (spinning rod, med. lt. action, tennessee handle). The rod was just about 5'10" and I had a Shimano reel taped to it loaded with either 8 or 10lb SilverThread line. The lure I always used was a standard Bobby Garland Gitzit on a Garland 1/16oz Gitzit Head. That thing would skip a LONG way on that rod/reel. The combination hooked/fought/landed a ton of bass, including smallies up to 5+ and LM the same size out from under docks made of wood and metal both. Come to think of it, maybe it's time to dig in the closet and put that rig back together again 8-)