Skipping rod and reel

[David Austin]

I'm in the process of looking for a skipping rod and reel to skip jigs and creature baits under the tons of docks at most of the lakes I fish around here.  I've been looking at the Daiwa Tatula Elite skipping jig rod in 6'9" and 7'1" heavy.  Anyone have experience with either rod and what the advantages would be to the shorter or longer version?  

 

I'm also assuming the Daiwa Tatula SV TW (2020 version) would be a good reel to go with the rod?

[inferiorfisherman]

This is quite a coincidence.  I just received my tatula elite 6'9" and tutula sv yesterday and was going to post this morning asking the experts if I should use 30lb braid or 50lb braid.  

 

I haven't tested the reel out yes, because it doesn't have line yet.  However, I did test the rod out last night pitching in my backyard.  I really like it so far.  It has a pretty soft tip and nice backbone.  This seems to be something I like in all of my rods.  Fit and finish is good, but not excellent.  I do wish it had a cork handle instead of EVA, but I can get over that.  I like the rod's action so much that not only will it be my skipping setup, but it will also be my pitching/frog kayak rod.  at 6'9" I can pitch it much easier on flat ground than I can a 7'5".  This should come in handy while standing on a kayak. 

The guides are smaller than any of the other rods I have, so I hope I don't have issues with the leader knot getting caught.  All that being said, I think it it well worth the $150 I paid for it.  Now I just need to learn how to skip.   

[David Austin]

3 minutes ago, inferiorfisherman said:

This is quite a coincidence.  I just received my tatula elite 6'9" and tutula sv yesterday and was going to post this morning asking the experts if I should use 30lb braid or 50lb braid.  

 

I haven't tested the reel out yes, because it doesn't have line yet.  However, I did test the rod out last night pitching in my backyard.  I really like it so far.  It has a pretty soft tip and nice backbone.  This seems to be something I like in all of my rods.  Fit and finish is good, but not excellent.  I do wish it had a cork handle instead of EVA, but I can get over that.  I like the rod's action so much that not only will it be my skipping setup, but it will also be my pitching/frog kayak rod.  at 6'9" I can pitch it much easier on flat ground than I can a 7'5".  This should come in handy while standing on a kayak. 

The guides are smaller than any of the other rods I have, so I hope I don't have issues with the leader knot getting caught.  All that being said, I think it it well worth the $150 I paid for it.  Now I just need to learn how to skip.   

where did you find one in stock?  Almost everywhere I have seen online has them on backorder or out of stock.

[inferiorfisherman]

2 minutes ago, David Austin said:

where did you find one in stock?  Almost everywhere I have seen online has them on backorder or out of stock.

ebay.  Ebay always seems to be the place to find gear when major retailers are out of stock.  You can find smaller tackle shops selling on ebay who don't have their own e-commerce site to sell on, so their inventory doesn't get depleted as fast.  

[Deephaven]

I like the Tatula brakes better than my Shimano's for skipping.  I use a GLX 844 that is kicked out 2" to 7'2".  It is one of my few rods that does not get braid, but just straight big game.  Helps for when I look down and smack the water close as well as I skip into nasty places with zebra mussels so braid is not the right line.  Picking lashes out of braid sucks as well and it is the one rod I am guaranteed to blow up at least once in a blue moon.

 

[Boomstick]

1 hour ago, David Austin said:

I'm in the process of looking for a skipping rod and reel to skip jigs and creature baits under the tons of docks at most of the lakes I fish around here.  I've been looking at the Daiwa Tatula Elite skipping jig rod in 6'9" and 7'1" heavy.  Anyone have experience with either rod and what the advantages would be to the shorter or longer version?  

 

I'm also assuming the Daiwa Tatula SV TW (2020 version) would be a good reel to go with the rod?

If I am buying a rod with the intent of skipping, I would go with the shorter rod. It's not required as I skip a 7'5" rod from my kayak but it's just easier to cast the bait along the water and not hit the water with the shorter rod. And if you are in a bass boat, a little higher off the water, a 7'1" might be just as good as the 6'9".

 

I had the 7'1" Tatula (not elite) rod which I used as a multi-purpose heavy rod, and I'm fairly sure it's similar to the Elite. it would cast a 3/8oz jig extremely well and absolutely launch a 1/2oz jig, so it's not a total broomstick and would definitely be appropriate to skip with.

 

The Daiwa reels with a SV spool are the best to skip with. On my first generation Tatulas, I set the brake to 16-20, leave the tension spool at it's native setting (just tighten it to where it just stops clicking) and I'm safe from any backlashes that a cast in the other direction couldn't pull out. I would go with a 2020 Tatula if I bought them today. Mine are the prior gen, but my youngest son has this reel and it's smaller in profile and lighter so more comfortable but behaves about the same.

[InfantryMP]

I use a 7'2'' MH extra fast for the rod. It seems to do very well roll casting. I also use a DC reel to help my lashes out lol. Its almost cheating, but I would rather have more good casts than picking out lashes. 

 

I also was thinking about using my 6'10'' Lews Laser SG as it is a MH, but feels more like a Medium, I feel like it has the tip and action to really skip something under there. 

[the reel ess]

3 hours ago, David Austin said:

I'm in the process of looking for a skipping rod and reel to skip jigs and creature baits under the tons of docks at most of the lakes I fish around here.  I've been looking at the Daiwa Tatula Elite skipping jig rod in 6'9" and 7'1" heavy.  Anyone have experience with either rod and what the advantages would be to the shorter or longer version?  

 

I'm also assuming the Daiwa Tatula SV TW (2020 version) would be a good reel to go with the rod?

I use a shorter (6'9") Falcon Bucoo pitching stick for this. I fish from a kayak so I don't pitch underhand very much. I sidearm cast a lot.  The shorter rod is more accurate for me to sidearm cast. And I do use a reel with a smaller spool and lower line capacity. I bought it specifically for this reason.

[waymont]

8 hours ago, David Austin said:

Elite skipping jig rod in 6'9"

I have a perfect condition one for sale in the flea  market

[FryDog62]

There seems to be a general progression among skippers over time, present company included. Start out with a shorter rod to get better at the mechanics of skipping and to make accurate casts.
 

However as you improve, you should become pretty much as accurate with a 6’9” as a 7’0”. The difference is the longer rod will help get more distance and easier to pull the fish out and away from cover, dock posts, etc. 
 

I started out with a 6’8” and moved up to 6’10” but now the rods I use to skip are all 7’0 and 7’1”.  And I’m only 5’9” with longer arms. 
 

Be sure to consider handle lengths too... they can vary. For instance when I moved up from a 6’8” to a 6’10” the handle of the 6’10” was 2 inches longer. So the distance of the rod from the trigger forward was exactly the same and I didn’t gain any ground. 

[Lead Head]

For me, a SV spooled Daiwa makes a night and day difference when skipping. They don't instantly make me good, but definitely make skipping a far better option for me than it was previously. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

I prefer a MH and 17-20# fluorocarbon.  I don't use Tatula, but I would have concerns that a heavy power rod may be too stiff.  It helps to have a rod that will load and sling the bait in a smooth motion.  If you have to muscle up skipping, bad things will happen.  Promise.

7' is a good length for me (at just over 6' tall) but no longer than 7'3".  

[David Austin]

1 hour ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

I prefer a MH and 17-20# fluorocarbon.  I don't use Tatula, but I would have concerns that a heavy power rod may be too stiff.  It helps to have a rod that will load and sling the bait in a smooth motion.  If you have to muscle up skipping, bad things will happen.  Promise.

7' is a good length for me (at just over 6' tall) but no longer than 7'3".  

I've handled them and although they are a heavy action rod, they have a very fast springy tip.

[freelancer27]

Have a look at the Alpha CT SV. I think this one is even better for skipping than the Tatula. 

https://fishing.asian-portal.shop/category/select/cid/352/bid/48/pid/272254

[Bandersnatch]

5 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

Have a look at the Alpha CT SV. I think this one is even better for skipping than the Tatula. 

https://fishing.asian-portal.shop/category/select/cid/352/bid/48/pid/272254

It's super fun and super compact. My favorite reel of all! 

[inferiorfisherman]

after spooling up the tatula sv with some 50lb braid I was able to do some backyard pitching with it.  it is by far the easiest reel to pitch I have.  It took way less thumb control than the others.  Even much better than the tatula elite pitch and flip model.  It isn't a long caster like my metanium mgl or lew's tournament pro,  but for pitching it blows them away in ease.  I am very impressed and will most likely order at least one more, or just order the new Zillion SV from japan.  

[Kann18]

On 5/20/2021 at 8:00 AM, David Austin said:

where did you find one in stock?  Almost everywhere I have seen online has them on backorder or out of stock.

Reeds Outdoors in MN has a couple left in stock. No crazy sales going on right now but they can usually do something for you.

[freelancer27]

5 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Get the Zillion if you can swing it.

But that would need to be the previous version, not the 2021 version. I have had the older Zillion and now have the 2021 Zillion. The 2021 is not the best skipper in my opinion.

Comparing my Daiwas with SV spool [Steez CT, Alpha CT SV. Steez SV TW, Steez A (with Steez SV spool)], for the money I would definitely recommend the Alpha. 

Only slight negatives for the Alpha are:

• Line capacity with heavier line (which does not really matter if you use the reel only for skipping.
• Line retrieve: it is not the fastest, but still good enough in my opinion

 

I would take the Alpha over the Tatulas every day, it also comes very close to my Steez CT.

[Bandersnatch]

1 hour ago, freelancer27 said:

But that would need to be the previous version, not the 2021 version. I have had the older Zillion and now have the 2021 Zillion. The 2021 is not the best skipper in my opinion.

Comparing my Daiwas with SV spool [Steez CT, Alpha CT SV. Steez SV TW, Steez A (with Steez SV spool)], for the money I would definitely recommend the Alpha. 

Only slight negatives for the Alpha are:

• Line capacity with heavier line (which does not really matter if you use the reel only for skipping.
• Line retrieve: it is not the fastest, but still good enough in my opinion

 

I would take the Alpha over the Tatulas every day, it also comes very close to my Steez CT.

Do you have the new alpha sv? Is the frame as small as the Steez ct Sv?