Skipping a lure using a baitcaster

[Bass Bro]

I'm new to using baitcaster's and i was wondering how do you skip a lure across the water with a baitcaster and it not backlash?Thanks guys

[Top]

its hard as all get out... but tighten down a bit on your spool brake and practice practice practice and expect a LOT of professional over runs

AL

[fishbear]

X2 what MSG_Al said, plus it takes an experienced thumb.  

[chuckatuk]

i use more of a back handed cast like a harder pitch with the tip closer to the water.after the lure hits keep lifting your rod try starting with a tube with a pegged weight. if that don't work try a roll type cast with the tip close to the water and keep lifting the rod after you make contact with the water either way you will have to learn to use thumb pressure.

[Sam]

Welcome to Backlash City. A great picture from Donnie Rakes.

Starring Skipping Under the Docks with a Baitcaster.

Featuring Time to Get Backlash Out of Reel.

Produced and Directed by Donnie Rakes.

OK, so you want to skip a lure under a dock using a baitcaster.

First, set up your baitcaster by placing Scotch Tape over the line on the spool so the backlash will stop at the Scotch Tape.  Go out and skip the lure at a pond or on the water you fish and pull off another two to three arm lenghts of line from the reel and then put the tape over the line on the spool.

Use 10 to 12 pound flouro test line or a heavy line or a braid of your choice as you will encounter a lot of items that can cut and nick your line and you will need the stronger line to pull the fish out.

Be sure to always check your line for nicks and cuts as you fish.

The reel can be a 5:1 ratio for the winching power to get the fish out from under the docks, etc.  Or, just use whatever reel you have and see how it works.

Practice casting so the lure skips on the water and you control the spool with your thumb.  This is imperative to stop backlashes and to stop the lure as it heads for the side of the boat houses and docks and piers and ramps and furniture on the dock.

Set the drag so that the fish can not run as far when hooked.  You want to snag the fish and then bring him out ASAP.  No playing him under the dock, or if you do, play him for as short a time frame as possible as he will wrap you around the pilings, etc. very fast.

After this, practice, practice, practice. Then practice some more.

You will get the rhythm in your hand, arm and wrist to cast sideways and flick your wrist as you cast.

A 6'6" rod is a great choice although some guys use a 6' rod.  Remember, you are not casting for distance but for accuracy so you will need the shorter length rod to control your bait's placement.

After this, practice docking your boat to a boat house or pier and getting out and retrieving lure from ropes, decking, cables, roofs, chairs, etc. that you will hit when skipping baits under docks with a baitcaster until you get the accuracy you are seeking.

I throw Wacky rigged Senkos, Texas rigged finesse worms and crankbaits under docks but anything goes.

Crankbaits are a pain as they get hooked in a rope you usually have to cut out a part of the rope to retrieve them. And if they get caught under the dock you probably will have to kiss them goodbye.

Ater trying the baitcaster for a few times go back to spinning rigs.  ;D

[Sam]

Donnie,

One more suggestion.

Take one or two extra baitcasters ready to go so you can switch the baitcaster with the backlash with a new one to flip and pitch the dock.

Now, lets talk about boat placement when fishing docks and piers.......

Opps. For another time.  

[fishbear]

Welcome to Backlash City. A great picture from Donnie Rakes.

Starring Skipping Under the Docks with a Baitcaster.

Featuring Time to Get Backlash Out of Reel.

Produced and Directed by Donnie Rakes.

OK, so you want to skip a lure under a dock using a baitcaster.

First, set up your baitcaster by placing Scotch Tape over the line on the spool so the backlash will stop at the Scotch Tape. Go out and skip the lure at a pond or on the water you fish and pull off another two to three arm lenghts of line from the reel and then put the tape over the line on the spool.

Use 10 to 12 pound flouro test line or a heavy line or a braid of your choice as you will encounter a lot of items that can cut and nick your line and you will need the stronger line to pull the fish out.

Be sure to always check your line for nicks and cuts as you fish.

The reel can be a 5:1 ratio for the winching power to get the fish out from under the docks, etc. Or, just use whatever reel you have and see how it works.

Practice casting so the lure skips on the water and you control the spool with your thumb. This is imperative to stop backlashes and to stop the lure as it heads for the side of the boat houses and docks and piers and ramps and furniture on the dock.

Set the drag so that the fish can not run as far when hooked. You want to snag the fish and then bring him out ASAP. No playing him under the dock, or if you do, play him for as short a time frame as possible as he will wrap you around the pilings, etc. very fast.

After this, practice, practice, practice. Then practice some more.

You will get the rhythm in your hand, arm and wrist to cast sideways and flick your wrist as you cast.

A 6'6" rod is a great choice although some guys use a 6' rod. Remember, you are not casting for distance but for accuracy so you will need the shorter length rod to control your bait's placement.

After this, practice docking your boat to a boat house or pier and getting out and retrieving lure from ropes, decking, cables, roofs, chairs, etc. that you will hit when skipping baits under docks with a baitcaster until you get the accuracy you are seeking.

I throw Wacky rigged Senkos, Texas rigged finesse worms and crankbaits under docks but anything goes.

Crankbaits are a pain as they get hooked in a rope you usually have to cut out a part of the rope to retrieve them. And if they get caught under the dock you probably will have to kiss them goodbye.

Ater trying the baitcaster for a few times go back to spinning rigs. ;D

Best advice I have ever seen on dock skipping!!!!!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[bmadd]

Skipping w/ a baitcaster is something that will really set you apart from other fishermen. I think it's something you should invest a little time in. I've been working on it the past month and by far am no expert but I have gotten to the point where I can skip by bait with little to no overrun. I'm just waiting for my accuracy to arrive now   If you have patience it's not that bad to learn. I started off practicing in open water. I put some 20lb test mono on my line so that it would be easy to pick apart the overruns. The only two lures I'm using for skipping right now are spro frogs and senkos. I think these lures are possibly the easiest to start with.

Give this some practice and you'll be winching out hogs from the back of docks, under trees, etc where the competition's spinning rods aren't as well suited  8-)

[roadwarrior]

I'm new to using baitcaster's and i was wondering how do you skip a lure across the water with a baitcaster and it not backlash?Thanks guys

Use a spinning rod.

8-)

[Jake.]

Tighten down your cast control knob and practice. It takes time, but it can be done.