How To Adjust Brakes To Skip Lures Under Docks?

[ABW]

What do I do to adjust my Lew's Speed Spool to skip lures under docks? Every single cast I backlashed.

It has magnetic brakes

[quanjig]

Better question might be " how do I adjust my thumb?" I just make sure I am using a bait that has a decent ability to skip when fired in there just across the surface!

[livetofish28]

Ummm all the way up loose spool tension and natural ability. The brush jig by Siebert skips well other than that not much more to be able to tell you. I can do it just fine with my Tournament mg but honestly there are normally better presentations for it rather than skipping 

 

          Tight lines

 

            Andrew 

[J Francho]

I set brakes to 0 and use extra spool tension on my Daiwas for skipping.

[Jrob78]

Unfortunately, there isn't any setting that will make a baitcaster easy to skip with.  It takes practice and lots of it.

[TorqueConverter]

The right cast will make or break your ability to skip.  I've had some awesome casts that sent the bait skipping for miles and barely required me to touch the spool and other casts that were.... nightmares.

 

If it helps I use a 4 centrifugal brakes and a high mag brakes setting with low spool tension.  It's the same settings I use when target casting, beating the bank.  I really think you should crank up your breaking and mechanical tension on the reel just to get some time in skipping even if the distance is short.  One you figure out the casting technique then you should back off on the brakes and tension.  

[Phoenix Guy]

I have a reel that I have set up just for skipping docks. I have found that if I only keep 50-60 yards of line on it, 25lb AbraizX, I have zero backlashes. Also, an Arkie head is about the best for skipping.

[Hyrule Bass]

just use a spinning reel, its easier.

[ABW]

just use a spinning reel, its easier.

 

I used to, but I just got my first baitcaster and I don't like bringing two rods to beat the banks, since I move a lot. There is a small dock that branches out into three different docks on the tiny lake I fish, and I've had a ton of success when throwing baits under there with a spinning reel, but I want to try to learn with a baitcaster. I guess I'll just have to give it some time.

[John G]

Does a short rod help in skipping?

[livetofish28]

Does a short rod help in skipping?

I found I cant skip unless its with my 6'8 mh fast action St Croix LTB

 

           tight lines

 

                Andrew 

[Fish Murderer 71]

Welcome to the most challenging technique with a bait caster.  it takes time and lots of failures, birdnests and time wasted to get the hang of skipping.  first things first- you probably have the wrong kind of rod, unless you have a 7' medium- mod/fast.  Next, you can skip ANY reel,  MCS, MBS- it doesnt matter.  I find that I do better when I dont have the MBS to rely on, after all.. its all THUMB control!  next, if your multi purposing your set-up consider carting the open-face, because once you get your caster dialed in your not going to want to change it!!!  something to make your life a litter easier when it comes to the birdnest issues your going to have to deal with...  next time you go out to the lake bring along a roll of electrical tape.  Cast a bait that you want to skip out into the lake on your first cast, and pull off a section of tape about 6 inches (or enough to completely wrap the spool only one time), now reel up the bait and that should keep you from getting a backlash that goes all the way to the core.  Set your tension knob to where the bait just falls slowly and leave the MCS at zero.  cast a couple times and see if you have any thumb control-  I'll bet you dont!!!  I didnt at first- just keep casting till you can free cast without a backlash.  Dont try to skip a half mile, start out soft concentrating one or two "skips" and not backlashing- distance will come with proper technique and practice.  If you start getting aggravated stop and use something else for a while.  It TAKES TIME TO MASTER THIS TECHNIQUE- I still get backlashes once in a while...  It just happens!  Have fun and dont give up!!!  it will happen sooner or later!  

[gobig]

Its not really that hard to learn how to skip with a bait caster once you have the reel set up right. I am with tourqueconverter on this one. I put all my brakes on with a loose spool. Certain baits skip better than others. I would start with a senko or something else that's easy. I like to have a rod that has some tip to it, in other words a flexability in the tip. The easiest cast for me is a roll cast. The key is making the cast as flat as possible. Think of skipping a rock, same idea.  

[Mr_Scrogg]

I can skip with a baitcaster... now skipping when pitching .... DEATH TO THE SPOOL OF LINE for me!

[Smallmouth Hunter]

The shimano VBS reels are the best for this. Loosen the spool tension so the spool can wiggle a bit, and put on 4 brake shoes. Then train your thumb a bit.

[speed craw]

I keep my baitcaster very loose , as far as rod I like a medium to medium heavy fast action 6-6 to 7-0 . Different baits have different friction levels . Craws, tubes  , senkos skip best , however lizards because of the flat under belly work well to .  I like a finesse jigs or texas rigs  with full size trailer , certain jig he3ad styles have more friction and can cause for more aggravation and backlash . If you can find a screw lock wire tired jigs these are my first option for durability of violent and consistent skips . Pull the skirt off the bottom and move the skirt to the sides and on top of the plastic to allow for easier skipp ability . Smaller finesse and texas rig lures are easier to skip , but once you master the small stuff you can skip the larger 3/8ths and 5/16ths oz a lot easier and farther  . Practice different positions as not every spot will have the direct lanes for skipping , the more versed you are the more ridiculous places you can pull fish from . I go to the lake or even creeks and just practice one to 3 times a week , along with jerkbaits to stay on top of my game . DONT KEEP YOUR BRAKES  tight with the as this  will cause a nightmare . If you want to see some ridiculous action check out tim cline tips for skipping a jig  on youtube ..... Sweet jebus that guy is awesome . Just remember it takes time lots of time and patience . But once you learn it you can skip just about anything keeping it realistically to crazy places . 

[CRANKENSTIEN]

Just started practicing on the cement and lots of birds nest until set 6 breaks and tension tight. I am now happy with the distance. Always loosening with practice. Once this Ice is off I can measure my progress