I was at the Classic this week and bought two reels, an Abu Garcia Revo X and a Lews Carbon Fire. Both are higher quality reels that ordinarily I wouldn't buy because of the price. At the Classic, however, these reels were much cheaper so I bought them. I used them today and was surprised at how difficult it was to skip with them. Does it have something to do with the ball bearings? Each has double the amount that I'm used to (they each have 8). In order to skip, I have to move the cast control knob so that the lure doesn't even drop when I depress the spool. Usually, I'd just move the braking dial up to 16-18 to skip. Thanks for your input.

It has nothing to do with the number of bearings. It's just the difference in reels. You'll just need to experiment to get them setup right. 

keep practicing adjusting you’ll get used to the reels. I don’t think anything is wrong with the reels your just not used to those type of reels this is why many ppl stick with a specific brand because they don’t want to learn to get used to different type of braking system of reels.

7 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

What reel have you been using to skip before?

I can skip for miles on a Lews Speed Spool Carbon Blue. It's strange, though. The brake dial does virtually nothing on both of the new reels. The only way I can adjust the backlash is by tightening the cast control to an unreasonable amount.