I want to learn to skip with a baitcaster

[DaveT63]

I want to learn to skip with a baitcaster this year.  I've done some reading here on it already.  I want to set myself up with success, but want to see what gear I already have that would be good to use as a starter.  Could I please get some feedback as to which rods and which reels I have that would work without having to go buy any new gear?  I have the following rods and reels.

 

Rods

G Loomis MBR844C IMX 7' HF

G Loomis MBR783C GLX 6'6" MHF

St Croix Legend Elite 7' MHF

Kistler Z-Bone 7' MHF

Kistler Z-Bone 7'3" HF

ALX Enox Decoy 7'1" MHF

Edge Black Widow 7'1" MHF

Custom build on NFC X-ray 7'3' MB735-1 MHF

Custom build on NFC X-ray 7'3" SJ736-1 HF

 

Reels

SV103 with a Steez SV105 spool

SV103 with stock spool

Steez SV103

Alphas SV105

Zillion SV TWS

Zillion G

 

I have to believe I have what I need already.  If you think I need something different, please throw it out there.

 

Also, please suggest what you think might be the best rod/reel combo to start with if I have what I need.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Dave

 

[Choporoz]

I generally dislike YouTube and avoid watching most anything other than BR, and Tactical Bassin'.  However,  I will admit that videos from Swindle and Andy Montgomery helped reduce my skipping learning curve some.  But mostly, crank up the brakes and start practicing.  I venture to guess that few of us are skipping on any better equipment than what you got...so if you can't get a Steez to work for you, maybe a DC or spinning reel is in your future.

[gim]

@DaveT63 I don't know if you've done any skipping lures previously, but something you didn't mention is what type of lures you are intending to use.

 

If this is a whole new ball game for you, I would advise not using anything with treble hooks at all.  And you might want to avoid things with big pieces of lead on them (like jigs) too that might "clang" off items.

 

Its gonna take some practice.  And you'll inevitably have some careless skips or casts in there that might get hung up.  I started getting back into skipping about 5 years ago and found that soft weightless plastics were the easiest route to success because 1) they make no noise, and 2) rarely get hung up.  The profile and shape of the plastic makes a big difference too.  Plastics with a lot of appendages/legs don't skips as well as flatter, simple shaped ones.

[A-Jay]

33 minutes ago, DaveT63 said:

I want to learn to skip with a baitcaster this year.  I've done some reading here on it already.  I want to set myself up with success, but want to see what gear I already have that would be good to use as a starter.  Could I please get some feedback as to which rods and which reels I have that would work without having to go buy any new gear?  I have the following rods and reels.

 

Dave

 

Good Timing Dave ~

I'm selling a sweet skipp'in stick in the Flea Market right now. 

A-Jay

[new2BC4bass]

I need to learn to skip as well.  Any of those reels should suffice.  Casting distances will be reasonably short.  The SV103 is an excellent reel (as all the others you listed).  I'd try the one with the SV105 spool first.  Personally I'd use the Alphas SV105 for lures in the lower weight range.  I'd want the Steez SV103 on a rod that spends the majority of time in my hand.

 

I haven't used my Zillion G yet, but given all I've read about it, it is another reel I'd want on a rod that will see a lot of use.

 

EDIT:  All your rods are above my price range.

[GRiver]

 

I’ll wad one up quicker that a summons from an ex spouse.

I wish I could help ya, but I just can’t skip a baitcaster, I try and try.

 I know the fundamentals, I tried different set ups, even tried a friends that told it was my reel. Well he had to re-spool when I was through.  
I’m sticking to skipping a spinning reel.

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, DaveT63 said:

I want to learn to skip with a baitcaster this year.

How are your pitching skills? Is it a part of your normal fishing? If so, can you pitch for decent distance, like 50-70 feet with control and very few fumbles? Think of pitching as a gateway skill to effective skipping. If you've developed this skill well, then skipping should come easier to you, especially backhand skipping which you can start with right away.

 

Don't exclude any of your reels until you've thoroughly tried skipping with them. The one that allows for the greatest contact by your thumb from its tip to its heel will probably be what you ultimately choose. Hand shapes and widths, and finger lengths and sizes are different for everyone, so some reels just fit better for different things. Thumb contact with the spool while skipping or pitching is different from straight casting, IMO, so choosing the best one for you can make all the difference. A less than ideal-for-you choice can add a layer of difficultly you might end up mistakenly blaming on something else like the rod, line, or your reel's braking system.

 

The good news is that once you finally "get it", you've "got it". Might need to shake off a few cobwebs at the beginning of each season though. Totally normal. It's not like ripping an overhead bombcast which is a skill that isn't quite as perishable.

 

[casts_by_fly]

The zillion sv tw is the reel to use. Zero adjust on the spool tension and turn up the brakes. I’d go with one of the MH instead of the H.  I found that a little more moderate side of fast was easier to learn on.  Make sure your lure weight is enough to load the rod properly, even to the point of overloading it. You don’t want to feel like you’re forcing it.  The first rod I was able to skip on consistently was a MH/MF crankbait Shimano Crucial. I threw a 1.5 oz single hook soft swim bait on it.  The soft bait and single hook meant there wasn’t anything to catch water and slow down. The extra weight loaded the rod up where I didn’t push it and then maintained momentum as it skipped across the water. After getting consistent with that I went to normal sized jigs and soft plastics. 

[WRB]

I prefer using a MF 6’10” casting rod using 11#  Armilo mono line for skipping jigs. My technic before knowing what skipping was is making a fast side arm cast aiming about 5’ in front of the target and let the jig skip under the dock. I don’t use much braking controlling the spool with my thumb like any cast. 

Never tried to skip a jig using my MH+ 5 power jig rod because the tip doesn’t load as easy.

The reels listed are all good.

Tom

 

[Fishin Dad]

I actually like my Tatula SV more than my Zillion SV for skipping.  Don’t know why?   I really think skipping with a 1/4 or 3/8 oz arky skipping jig and a flat plastic bait with no appendages (like a smaller beaver type bait) for skipping.  Small roll cast with your wrist not arm.  I.e.- Don’t pull your arm back (like cocking or loading your arm).   I like to keep my arm forward and just rolling my wrist, keeping the bait low to the water.  
 

[Woody B]

Start out skipping a weightless wacky.  IMHO that's the easiest lure to skip.  It also won't hurt anything you happen to hit.  The exact specs of the rod you need will vary from person to person, and perhaps from boat to boat.   IE a taller person, or someone in a higher boat will probably need a longer rod.  I would try a bunch of different rods to determine what length "you" need before spending any money on special skipping rod.  I'm not saying don't get one, just determine what length you need before shelling out the bucks.    I've used several reels.  I currently use a Shimano SLX but had good luck with SV Daiwa's too.   With the Shimano when just doing normal casting I only have 1 centrifugal brake clicked on, but have the dial pretty high.  When I decided to skip I pop the side cover off and click the rest of the brakes on.  I still have to use my thumb near the end of the cast/skip.   With the SV Daiwa for normal casting I'd usually have the brakes set around 6.   I'd turn them up all the way (20?) for skipping.   This was pretty much impossible to backlash.   

 

A couple years ago I was "trying" to get a wacky under a dock on Lake Norman.   An old friend who happens to be a Bass fishing professional recognized me and came over to say hi.    He gave me some advice that helped a BUNCH.   The biggest thing I was doing wrong was trying to get some distance before starting the "skip".  I was trying to get some distance first, then start the skip near whatever I was trying to skip under.   He advised me to start the skip really close to the boat.   That works for me.   My first "skip" will be within a yard of the boat.   The lure will skip several times before getting to the target.   Start in open water, and just practice.  You'll figure out what rod angle you need.   I have the tip pretty close to the water and just "sling the devil out of it".   You not looking for one of two skips/hops.  You're looking for a BUNCH.   In some situations you may want to achieve as many as 10 skips, for 50 feet or more.    The angle that works for you, combined with your height, and whatever you're fishing from will determine what length rod you need.   I use a 6'8" Med/moderate rod.  A rod that's a little quicker would probably be best for just skipping, but I use if for casting light stuff too.   Again, IMHO a wacky is the easiest thing to skip.  Start with that.   I skip jigs, shaky heads, and lipless cranks occasionally but save those until you gain confidence with a weightless wacky.   

[WRB]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Good Timing Dave ~

I'm selling a sweet skipp'in stick in the Flea Market right now. 

A-Jay

^^^^👍^^^^

Tom

[bulldog1935]

as long as we're all saying something different.  

Skipping is something you can practice in your back yard, and it's about as fun as practice casting can get.  Everybody has some overhanging shrubs or bushes to aim at the roots.  

It's a centrifugal cast, technically a reverse spiral (looks like a snail on its back) - the skip part, you don't bounce it on the grass, may bounce it on the water, but you end up low and horizontal.

You begin moving the rod straight up, back and down to make a circle, loading the rod, and finish in a forward sidearm.
Here's a video, this guy is showing it off - it doesn't have to be this energetic.

But it's all in the rod tip.

 

Don't get in a hurry with your cast.  Work out the basic cast with the shortest, lightest-tip rod you own, and the lightest weight that rod will cast - you don't need a hook - go to town.  

When you're confident, take it fishing, with real world lures and weights.  

 

ps - if the rod won't do it with the light weight you're trying, you'll know quickly - it will arc way up.  Main reason I like S-glass here, they typically fish below their low-end rating.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Pulling off enough line for a cast and taping down the spool will keep the inevitable backlash from going too deep 

[TnRiver46]

A fluke and a frog skip light a flat rock, just practice practice practice 

[DaveT63]

Thanks for all the advice!  I think I'm going start with moving the Steez SV105 spool into the Steez, load it with some cheap mono, and give it a try on the MBR783C out in the yard.  I'm sure that I will experiment with multiple rods and reels before I ever hit the water.

12 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Good Timing Dave ~

I'm selling a sweet skipp'in stick in the Flea Market right now. 

A-Jay

I saw that, A-Jay.  In fact, it's what got me thinking more about skipping.  But my wife is looking to retire soon and stresses out every time I mention buying another rod or reel.  So I'm going to try what I have first.  But thanks!

[T-Billy]

Of the tackle you listed. I'd go 7' MH F and either Daiwa. Start with the braking set pretty high.

[FrnkNsteen]

10 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

as long as we're all saying something different.  

 

Had to laugh at this because I was thinking the same thing. Lot's of good advice,... It's just completely different than each other.

 

The only thing I will say is there are a few good videos on youtube. The one that sticks out to me is a video with Edwin Evers and Andy Montgomery. I believe it is an episode on Edwin Evers youtube channel where he is asking Andy Montgomery for some skipping tips. There is also an episode of Pro Team Journal where Montgomery is talking about skipping that is pretty good.

 

As for reels, if your SV103 with the stock spool is the old Zillion style body that has the oval line guide and not the T-wing.... Mine is heavily braked and works pretty good for skipping. Otherwise,... Trying the ither SV options is good idea too. Mike from DVT had good advice to pull off enough line to allow for the cast, then tape the spool and reel the line back in. That way if you DO backlash it, you only have to pick out down to the tape.

 

As for rods.... I think I would start with your 6'6" MHF GLX and then if you don't like that, go to your 7' MHF rods. Montgomery recommends about a 6'9" to 7'1" that he says should have some tip flex, but then gets into the backbone pretty quick. He describes that it should have its tip flex in the upper 20% of the rod, then transition to the backbone quickly. He shows it in the Evers video.

 

Beyond that is practice. One thing I try to do is gently lift the tip as the jig is starting to skip. It seems to help keep the line out of the water and allow the lure to skip easier without getting bogged down.

 

Have fun!!

[JediAmoeba]

I am pretty good at skipping and I will say all you can do is practice. It's all about having memory in where you release the bait and at the proper angle. 

 

Honestly I can skip the best with my 1/2 oz to 1 oz jigs using a 7'6" Heavy rod paired with a tatula sv. I have a heavy 6'9" skipping rod but for me the longer 7'6" rod allows me to get parallel to the water easier and I can skip that baby like no one's business. When skipping spinner baits and chatterbaits I usually just use my 7'3" mh. I don't change any if the settings on my reel, just train that thumb and practice. 

[TnRiver46]

Ain’t nothing to it but to do it. Pretty sure I filmed this with a 1990s 4600c 

 

 

[HenryPF]

 

[gim]

On 2/7/2024 at 9:18 AM, JediAmoeba said:

When skipping spinner baits and chatterbaits

You can skip these?  I'd like to see that.

 

People talk about skipping crankbaits, spinnerbaits, etc.  That just seems to defy physics to me with all the hooks, skirts, and other items on a lure that would tend to inhibit it.

 

I still skip with a MH spinning rod.  Gotten to be pretty dang good with it too.

[FrnkNsteen]

21 hours ago, gimruis said:

You can skip these?  I'd like to see that.

 

People talk about skipping crankbaits, spinnerbaits, etc.  That just seems to defy physics to me with all the hooks, skirts, and other items on a lure that would tend to inhibit it.

 

I still skip with a MH spinning rod.  Gotten to be pretty dang good with it too.

I haven't tried to skip those, but have watched videos of people doing it. Also saw Montgomery skipping his Thundercrickets and buzzbaits in under docks and trees, so I guess it's possible.

 

Never seen anybody skip a spinnerbait though. I would have thought the blades and bent wire would catch make it dig in. I guess it's not much different than a buzzbait though.

 

I have just never tried it!

[TnRiver46]

I have skipped chatter but not spinner, it goes kloop splash……

[cyclops2]

40 ? years ago there were lures that were weighted and shaped to fly backwards. Being cheap I removed the front   lip  of a 6" floating Rapala. Then tied the line into the rear hook eye of the lure.  It did cast farther. But still did not skip like a stone.  It caught fish as often as a normal 6" Rapala.