Jig Skipping Equipment

[Fontana Finesse Man]

Figure it is time to learn how to skip jigs under docks with baitcasting equipment.

What are your recommendations for the best rods for this application?

What are your recommendations for reels for this application?

Are there certain jigs that are more conducive to skipping? What weight?

[smr913]

I am working on this as well. I use a 1/4 oz arkie jig and a Rage Chunk or Paca Craw. My reel is a Chronarch 200e7 and a 6'8" MH XF Cumara Rod. I personally like Flouro as I feel it helps get the bait moving faster, quicker. I have had the best results with a fast, two-handed cast as parallel as possible. The videos are both very good; I watched them before I started this process.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Some of my customers like an especially short rod for skipping but it's not mandatory at all. I would suggest a really fast tip in a power taht will load well with the weight being thrown. The sweet spot is usually near the middle of the printed specs. A reel with good free spool will help generate speed for good skips but as you know will backlash badly if (when) it gets away from you. Of course there are always exceptions but most skipping spots are shallow so I wouldn't think much weight is needed. I do almost all skip casting with weightless plastics and spinning tackle. I had a great day and boated 2 doz bass on Labor Day this way.

[jkarol24]

Skipping is one of the most important tools for fishing docks. I prefer braided line because i can "feel"it better under my thumb rather than fluoro (i do use a short fluoro leader). I use 30-40 lb power pro, it has a lot of texture so i can control it much easier with my thumb. I use a Shimano Curado 200E7 reel and a 7'med/hvy rod with a fast tip that will load up a bit. The curado has a wider than normal spool which makes line management slightly easier, and the med/hvy rod loads up nicely to sling the jig without a ton of effort. I still use a 2-handed cast but you dont need to make a hard cast. I prefer skipping a 3/8 oz jig with a larger, flat trailer for more surface area. Using an Arkie head style jig makes it easier but it is not essential. The key is to make the cast as paralel to the water as possible, maintaining thumb contact with the spool at all times. I dont set the brakes any different than normal, but some prefer adding more brake. As the jig starts skipping further and further away, you want to steadily raise your rod tip up to create lift on the jig, keeping it skipping even though its losing momentum. This is also beneficial as you can then follow the jig down with your rod tip when it starts sinking for a vertical presentation.

[Fontana Finesse Man]

Thank you all for the replies! This information helps tremendously. Wife won't be happy to see a rod tube delivered. Will give it a try next weekend and see how it goes. Guess I will pick some ugly docks with peeling paint and no boats to practice on and make sure no one is home! LOL

[jkarol24]

Those old "ugly docks" are usually the best ones on the lake. The older the better, and a bigger plus if their wood.

[NitroZ9]

The main thing for skipping is practice and having a reel you can adjust well. I use a spinning rod for fishing and skipping small baits, such as shakey heads, tubes, etc. I use a Denali Rosewood 7' MH Fast casting rod paired with a Revo Premier for skipping jigs, senkos, flukes, etc. I fish finesse a lot with a spinning rod, but if I can use a casting rod and heavier line, that's what I do. You have less chance of a good fish getting off. In the clear water I fish, I use 15# flouro for skipping under docks. I believe the invisibility of flouro. allows me to use a heavier line without spooking fish. I was using this Denali/Revo combo. extensively this spring and I was able to skip weightless wacky rigged senkos way under very low docks. This rod seems to have the perfect action for skipping.