dock skipping question...

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I was curious what kind of setup that you use when skipping docks? Do most people use spinning gear? I started trying to use a baitcaster last fall. So far I can get maybe two out of four skips without a big backlash.

Ive tried several methods the most recent was only putting 20 yards of 30lb braid on my reel to decrease the amount of backlashes. This did help with the backlashes but Ive found I have a hard time getting the momentum to get the bait more than a few feet under the dock.

I guess Im just looking to see if anyone skips docks with baitcasters and has any tips that may help me since I would prefer to not have to got back to spinning gear.

[ocf]

geez ive only done it with a spinning reel but i guess it depends on the quality of your baitcasting and what setting you have it on.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I've tried but it takes a lot of patience and practice. I stick with spinning gear for skipping mostly. I know Deitz skips with a baitcaster, so I am sure that he'll chime in.

[Bobby Bass]

I skip with a spinning reel but have two different rod setups I use a 5' rod when I am up close and can reach down and skip a bait with the rid tip just a few inches above the water, good for getting deep under docks and boat lifts and the I also use a 7' rod when I am back off looking to get to the corners at the back of a dock. Have tried with the bait casters but I think Spinning gear works better for this.

[SluggoMaster]

I use my Curado SF (super free) from last year to skip jigs under docks. You can do it with a Citica as well, but it takes quite a bit of practice. Spinning gear is the easiest, but a baitcast reel gives you more leverage and horsepower to get them out of there when you get hooked up.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

my setup is a 6'6" matched with a Citica. Sluggo what type of line do you use? Do you fill your spool or run just enough?

You say it will take more practice to skip with a citica, why is that?

[Bushwacker]

I use a baitcaster 100% of the time for skipping. It takes A LOT of practice and a reel that is set properly for each and every bait. You have to take the time to set the tension knob for all different situations for skipping. Personally I like my reels to be set "looser" because that allows the bait to skip without being slowed by the reel's braking system. I set all of my reels to the most free with centrifugal braking systems so almost all of the braking is done by me. It can lead to monster backlashes if you mess up, but it lets the bait just skip freely and settle in to the water nicely without being suddenly stopped by the brakes.

I try to use baitcasters whenever I can for bass simply because I don't like the feel of spinning gear nearly as much and I feel like I can't horse them through vegetation and around dock poles nearly as well with spinning set-ups. My partner on the other hand uses 90% spinning gear and does just fine, its just a matter of personal preference and fishing style. A lot of very good fisherman skip docks with spinning gear.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Bushwacker, you say "set the reel properly for each bait". I set the brake so the lure Im using falls just barely falls to the water when the bail is tripped. Is that good for skipping? Should I set it looser or tighten it up?

**Looks like you snuck an edit in while I was writing my post.

[Matt Johnson]

I primarily use a spinning rod when skipping docks. I don't quite have the "finesse" baitcaster approach down yet Although I'm working on it, and hopefully (within the next couple years ) I'll have more confidence at skipping docks with a baitcaster to the point where I'll use it all the time.

I've fished with Deitz a few times and that guy is insane with a baitcaster! He makes it look way too easy, no matter the situation or the target. Pinpoint accuracy, it's amazing...

[SluggoMaster]

I use braided line (Stren Superbraid or Suffix Braid) and I keep the spool pretty full. I keep it very loose as well, since you need a free-spool to keep it going when skipping. You have to have it loose enough for the lure to fall freely when you click the release.

I find the (super free) on the old Curado SF worked best for me. The Citica is noticably heavier than last years models and the balance is a little different, which for me makes a difference.

It does take a lot of practice to skip a jig or other bait, but it can be done. The jig trailer also makes a difference, since a bulky trailer will not skip quite as well.

Good luck!

[FlipR70]

>>>Ive tried several methods the most recent was only putting 20 yards of 30lb braid on my reel to decrease the amount of backlashes.

Here's another way to learn on a baitcaster ...

Make a short-medium cast with the baitcaster you intend to use. Put a piece of tape across the reel and reel up the line (reeling the tape under 30-40 yds of line). This way, when you try to skip, you can only backlash about 30-40 yds of line but the reel will behave like it would if you had a full spindle.

I read this on another bass page and many others have used this method to learn to skip with a baitcaster. I am by no means the expert here but this seems to be the best method to learn that I've found.

FlipR70

[slopmaster]

i think a spinning reel is much easier but lately i have been trying a baitcaster i get backlashed a lot its a lot different casting a 1/8 ounce weight then chucking out a 3 ounce muskie bait but i guess it is all practice practice makes perfect right

[TurnUpTheFishing]

FlipR70, great tip! Ill definatly be giving it a shot. Thanks to everyone else, too. Still wouldnt mind hearing any other tips you may have.

[OnTheWater]

I primarily use a spinning rod for docks. It is pretty much hassle free, but I would agree that a baitcaster is the way to go. If you have to go spinning, I've moved to a medium heavy rod with braid on the reel, it usually does the trick.

[Banger]

I fish docks with a baitcaster also. I find that it works best for me when I fill the spool extra full. I use a braid line either power pro or p-line. I usually pull out four or five brakes on my curados when skipping and loosen the tension control. Yes, I do get my fair share of "professional overuns" but feel I have a better chance at getting the fish out from the docks. I do have a good friend that fishes with docks with a spinning rod and light mono. Personal preference I quess.

[ikeslayer]

i have a buddy who owns the Linders Angling Edge Bassology and they dedicate one whole segment to fishing docks and skipping. They use a 7'0 spinning rod rigged with 30lbs fire line. When you watch him on that video his accuracy is rediculous. I also watched a video once with rick clunn and he doesn't skipp docks he flips them and he uses the dock to swing his line in like a pendulum very neat and much more subtle and quiet but takes lots of practice. There are some high speed (6.3:1) spinning reels out there for those of you that want to horse them out and are sick of the back lashes. my 2 bits. ike

[Bobby Bass]

I use a 9' spinning rod for dock doodling, you can drop a worm between dock and pontoons and easy 20'back, the fun part is pulling fish back out!

[HellaBass]

I use a 7' Baitcaster with a Shimano Chronarch or Castiac SF most of the time. I usually use 20lb mono. I think heavy mono actually skips better than braid, personal prefernce as it feels like the coils of the heavy mono actually push that bait out. Using a baitcaster is a completely different casting motion than a spinning outfit.

Spinning is definitely easier and faster when you are starting out. I would master spinning gear skipping before jumping to baitcasting. If you get backlashes consistenly just casting a spinnerbait or plug into the wind, you are not ready for skipping docks.

But if you get there, you get better hooksets and control of the fish.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Most of my dock skipping is done with a Shimano Stradic 2500 spinning reel and a 7' MH rod with 30 lb Braid... I do skip with a Chronarch baitcaster and 7'MH and 20lb Gamma mono too.. but not as often... depends if I am rigging a jig or plastics.. the jig for the baitcaster and the plastics go on the spinning gear.

[grab the net]

I usually keep my zipper zipped when I am fishing

[Deitz Dittrich]

oopsy

[Fishin4Life]

Quote:

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I usually keep my zipper zipped when I am fishing

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Did I miss something, or am I just slow

[Deitz Dittrich]

i mis-spelled the word dock in my post.. and edited it.

[Huskiedevle]

Pretty far down the thread already, but here goes.Back in the day when I would wade fish shallow flats/docks on a west metro lake, I would use a baitcaster with 14-17 lb. mono, on a 5 1/2 ft. MH pistol grip rod.This was before superbraids came out. The short rod worked great for skipping plastic worms under the docks and boat hulls and between the pontoon floats.Tried spinning gear, but had better control with the baitcaster.Sure, I had a few backlashes with the baitcasting reel,but the MH pistol grip rod helped to pull fish out from tight areas.

[Bobby Bass]

Quote:

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Pretty far down the thread already, but here goes. Back in the day when I would wade fish shallow flats/docks on a west metro lake, .

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Wading would change the angle of the cast as you are down in the water I would think a bait caster would be of help in that kind of fishing. When I was younger I had a few spots where I would get out and wade fish, dragging the boat behind me, Now that is some fun fishing going eye to eye..