Okay, so I've done a lot of reading up on this technique and watching YouTube videos on it and it seems like it's split, some guys say you want a 7' - 7'4" rod while others say you want a 6'8" - 7' rod and then when we get into actions some say you want a moderate/fast tip to help with roll casts and making sure the bass swallows the bait while others say you want a fast tip. About the only thing everyone seems to agree on is you want a medium-heavy or heavy powered rod. I don't want to spend a lot on a new rod but I would really like to learn this technique on the water this year. I will either be putting a Shimano Curado DC or a Daiwa Tatula SV 103 on whatever rod I get as I already have both reels. Looking for something close to $100 (or less obviously ). I've been looking at the Dobyns Maverick 704C as well as the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee 6'10" Dock Skipping rod, Daiwa Aird-X 7' H/F and even the Okuma Epixor 7' MH/MF just to give you an idea of what types of rods I've found so far but if there are others that would be better suited for this technique and my budget I'm all ears .

Don't buy baits for your rod.  Buy your rod for your baits.  What do you want to skip?

If its plastics like senkos then try the bass mojo M plastics rod. 

21 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

Don't buy baits for your rod.  Buy your rod for your baits.  What do you want to skip?

If its plastics like senkos then try the bass mojo M plastics rod. 

i want something can handle anything from a senko to a jig to a chatter bait to a plastic swim bait.

4 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

i want something can handle anything from a senko to a jig to a chatter bait to a plastic swim bait.

I would just get a tatula sv, put it on whatever your current senko rod is and go from there.  It's not special technique.  The right reel helps a ton but it's not like you need special rods.  

9 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

I would just get a tatula sv, put it on whatever your current senko rod is and go from there.  It's not special technique.  The right reel helps a ton but it's not like you need special rods.  

Like I mentioned above, I already have a Tatula SV and a Curado DC...the right rod is the only thing I'm looking for now.

40 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Like I mentioned above, I already have a Tatula SV and a Curado DC...the right rod is the only thing I'm looking for now.

Then put them both on rods you have and get to skipping and learning about what you do and don't want from a rod for the baits you skip.  

The best advice I can give...

Go outside with your SV and start roll casting to targets. Use all the different rods you already own to help you figure out what allows you to roll cast the lures you want to skip. Focus on keeping your casts as low and flat as possible. When you are comfortable with nice low roll casts, the transition to a nice flat skip isn't super difficult. 

This is what worked for me (with jigs and t-rigs) but as always YMMV. 

Sv reel and a loomis 783c Mbr. They make. Gcx Mbr if you want to go thank direction 

How is the tip on the nrx 854 for skipping?  I'm currently using a dx705 from dobyns that works well.  But always wonder about the nrx

2 hours ago, Deebo said:

How is the tip on the nrx 854 for skipping?  I'm currently using a dx705 from dobyns that works well.  But always wonder about the nrx

It depends on what you are trying to skip…Senko - no for me, jig - yes for me.  All of my bottom contact rods are NRX and I have no problem skipping with all of them

 

12 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

i want something can handle anything from a senko to a jig to a chatter bait to a plastic swim bait.

This might be a little ambitious.  You can skip with most any rod depending on what it is you are trying to skip.  You are going to have a harder time if the rod is overpowered or doesn’t have enough tip for the weight you are throwing.

I have a Shimano Scorpion DC on a 4 power fast tip rod that works well for me. I saw where you mention a Dobyns rod so just to let you know another site has a 20% off on Dobyns rods on their Easter Sale.