One tactic i use alot is skipping. I skip tubes, jigs, and spidergrubs under docks, trees, whatever. You can almost slingshot a jig way back there. Anyone else doing this technique?

I fish docks 90% of the time I'm on the water. That is my bread and butter technique. I have four 5'8 custom rods made just for skipping. The lakes I fish get a ton of pressure so learning to skip is a must in my area. I use centipedes, tubes, senko, wacky worms are my favorite baits to skip.

In most cases the lower the dock the better. The docks that are only and inch above the water are the ones I usually key on. Most guys won't take the time to get a bait under them they'll just move on to the next dock. I always fish these docks hard even if It takes 20 casts to get the angle I want I'm not leaving until I get one back there.

Dock fish in stained water are not very spooky so you can usually get right up on them. Thats why I use a short rod with a good back bone. It allows me to get closer to the fish so my odds of landing a pig are better than with a 6'6 rod.

I like to skip and found out the hard way...DO NOT USE a bait caster...lol  that reel was done for the day...lol  Saw an opportunity to throw a bait under some docks and forgot I had a bait caster in my hand and oop there it is....BACKLASH...lol

Squid,

Although it's not for everyone, the baitcaster can be used for skipping. Tubes, jigs, flukes come to mind. The baitcaster offers so much more control of a hooked fish that the effort taken to learn skipping pays off big dividends.  Just like skipping a rock by hand,, look for a jig with a flattened head is a good skipping candidate. And for tubes, those rigged with the weight inside work better. Place some electrical tape across baitcaster's spool about 10 feet farther than your longest flip will  cut down on lashes.

I am a big time skipping guy with spinning gear. I was recently challenged by an angler to a competition. He said he could be more accurate flipping than my skipping. I waxed him 22 bass to 1. This guy was an abomination to flippers everywhere. I labelled him DepthChargerman because his bait would smack down on the water in a loud commotion. It wasn't pretty.

use a spinning reel never try and do it with a baitcaster/ Backlashhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

It took me about a year to get skipping down with a baitcaster. I think I'm going to start puting tape on my spool  to stop as many backlashes as I can. I started by skipping my jigs under-hand. Then started going for the hole motion. You do good skipping the bait under hand with a baitcaster. I use mann's stone jig for skipping. Works great!

I love to skip. Sometimes even in open water because I feel it does not spook the fish as much. Just a different presentation.

I like the idea of the shorter rod technique. Very interesting. Can I get you guys to elaborate on the lines used?

Many lakes around me are clear, so I use 8-12lb test for skipping. I know others who use braids.

On senkos im a real fan of the Octopus Circle hook.

I will keep practicing with the bait caster, but will skip with an open face or a spincast reel for now...lol.  Thanks for the tip with the tape.

I use 10# Trilene XT. I have used differant types of line and Trilene seems to be the best. I also tried braided line  2 years ago but really didn't like the feel of it. I may try braided agian during practice this year but doubt I will use it in a tourney. If you check your line and are careful with bigger fish 10# test is all you need.

I skip with a 6' 10" heavy Falcon rod and a Shimano Curado high speed reel spooled with 50lb Power Pro braid. most people dont like a long rod and baitcasting reel for skipping but i just find it easer than a shorter rod and a spinning reel.

Dark-Basser uses a heavy rod, what about the rest of you in the 5'6" to 6'6" range.  I skip docks from my kayak so I am right on the water.  I have been using a 6'6" medium. ;D

John Skipper Cullum

Do you use spinning or casting rods? What power & action are they? Thanks.

There spinning rods, medium power x-fast tip. At 5'8 they still have alot of back bone but you need a fast tip in order to get the tip action. If your rod is to heavy you won't be able to get the "whip" at the top of your skip. I had 2 other proto-types made before I can up with these. Ordered one tried it out and loved it, ordered 3 more that same day.

Fenwich makes a Eagle GT that is 5'9 I believe and isn't a bad rod to start with. Also BPS makes a Walleye Jigging Rod that is 5'9 medium which I have also used. Quantum makes a 5'9 med but it's much to lite for what I was looking for. Then I tried a glass rod and hated it. So I have been thru several rods before finding this one. It the perfect rod to skip docks with in stained to dirty water.