It can be anything, overhanging tree limbs/brush...doesn't have to be docks but what gear ration reel (casting or spinning) do you use and why? I've seen some videos online but just trying to get a general consensus of what my fellow anglers here at BR use.

7 or 8 is what I fish all my bottom contact lures on. I want to try to get them out of the structure quickly. I also use braid on all of mine, probably wouldn't try to get them out as fast with mono.

I like a 7:1 gear ratio. Specifically, the Daiwa Tatula SV. Nearly impossible to backlash once you get it dialed in properly. Makes skipping lures a lot easier for people who have struggled skipping lures with BC's.

8.1 on an SV reel. Pitch or skip a jig in, then right back out and rinse and repeat.

Depends on the bait.  Gear ratio has no effect on skipping.

I worry more about the rod, line, and lure before I start thinking too much about gear ratio. With that said the 2 rods I use are a 7.5 and 8.3

5 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Depends on the bait.  Gear ratio has no effect on skipping.

Let's assume a 3/8oz. or 1/2oz. jig with trailer for hypothetical purposes.

7.3:1

Use the rod and reel you like for those baits, then.  That's the reel you'll be most familiar with and prefer. 

Whatever reel is in my hand. It may be a 6.3 Mettle, 6.5 Piscifun or Ardent (same Haibo reel), 7.1 Lew's, 7.1 Fuego CT, 7.3 Piscifun (same Haibo as above), or 8.1 Fuego CT...no rhyme or reason. 

Depends on the lure im skipping.  I dont have a "skipping rod". I have been learning to skip with my regular rods i use for the bait, like my jig rods or my senko rod. So i have 6,7,&8:1 reels i use. 

7.1-8.1 SV reels... faster reels for a couple reasons:

 

•If I skip a light plastic (wacky, fluke) that has a good, slow action on the fall you have to allow slack.  If the fish hits with extra line out you need to pick up fast.

•If I skip a jig under a dock, need to get the fish out fast before he wraps a post.  

Whatever I'm using at the moment but my favorite skipping reel is a 9.1 Daiwa Zillion SV TWS. 

Theoretically you can skip with any reel in any ratio but are there some reels that are more forgiving for beginners to skipping?

14 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Theoretically you can skip with any reel in any ratio but are there some reels that are more forgiving for beginners to skipping?

Daiwa SV reels are very forgiving.