I just wanted to know if flipping jigs are the same as skipping jigs. I know skipping jigs have to flat surfaces on the bottom of the jig head that allows it to skip. And the flipping jigs look to have the same surfaces. But i couldn't seem to find them on any of the major fishing retailers like basspro or ***. So are they the same?

  They are mostly the same.  I have been skipping and flipping with Sieberts dock rocker jigs, as well as arkie head jigs that have worked really good for me this year.  A lot of it has to do with the trailer, a wide flat beaver style trailer works good for me. The only jigs I know of that are supposedly made just for skipping are the All Terrain Tackle Skip N Jig.  I have used quite a few of these, and while they work pretty good, I don't really notice a difference between this and some of the others I have used as far as skipping.  I wouldn't use this jig for flipping though, as it has a lighter wire hook, and I have bent them numerous times.  But give a couple a shot, they work ok too! 

They are Not the same for me.

My choice in type / style of jig changes with the type of cover I'm Flipping.

Admittedly, I am not the best jig skipper you'll ever fish with but the only jig I can skip with any regularity or effectiveness is the Strike King Denny Brauer Structure Jig. 

Mark Zona seems to like it too.

http://www.bassmaster.com/video/skipping-jigs-mark-zona   

A-Jay

For skipping I like a Arkie head, for Flipping I mostly use a Brush Jig (Shown Below).  I can skip 50x's better with a Arkie vs other heads, likewise Flipping I only like a Brush headas it's more weedless then other heads

I cast, skip, flip, pitch, & punch with Lunker Lures Rattleback & Terry Oldham's Trailer Hitch & Eye Max jigs

The trailer you choose has more of an effect on skipping ability than head shape.  Something wide like a Beaver or Rage Bug will have more surface area than narrow bodied trailers.  A flat or wide head shape increases surface area too, but it's not as much of a difference as the trailer...

 

I like to use different head styles for flipping and skipping, but thats only because I don't like to use the heavy duty hooks and weedguards if I don't have to.  Either shape skips fine for me.