Slow down, down size, and pauses.  I get the bait to walk the bottom, then pause.  Usually always get bites, of various size.

 

Almost forgot, lucky underwear, no bananas, no hook ups on first cast, promise a kiss for any willing to play, hats on backwards until I break the ice.  Just all the normal stuff!

#3 Vibrax or Mepps inline spinner stops the skunk.  I recently forgot my age and jumped in the water to free the line off of the ruder to keep a tuna from getting away.  It was embarrassing the amount of help I needed to get back in the boat.  We landed the tuna, and I proved I am still young enough to do stupid things.  I wonder when I will get the wisdom, that comes with age.

Well, it pains me to say this but there is a way not get skunked that is 100% effective. It never fails. 
 

I don’t recommend it, however. If you need to know…

 

If you DON’T go fishing, there’s a 100% chance you won’t get skunked,lol. Luckily, that ain’t me. I even fished today and skunked out, still pursuing that first ever winter bass. ? Fish tough or go home. 

On the plus side it doesn't sound like you lost or damaged any fishing tackle.  There has been a couple of times when I took a tumble on rip rap and ended up turning a one piece rod into a two piece.

4 hours ago, Bankbeater said:

 I took a tumble on rip rap and ended up turning a one piece rod into a two piece.

I’ve done that a time or 3