skipping with a baitcaster

[Infisherman1]

How do you do it? I can do it with a spinning reel fine, but whenever I do it with a baitcaster it gets a birds nest. What am I doing wrong?

[zman]

Skipping with a baitcaster is difficult, I would even go so far as to say that most people can't do it on a consistant basis. So to answer your question, you aren't really doing much wrong, just maybe not quite getting the angle shallow enough or coordinating the thumb with the first bounce quite right. I wouldn't worry too much if you can't do it, I can't skip with a baitcaster well enough to feel very comfortable with it either.

[Rich]

For me that would be a recipe for a backlash. I have a MH action 6' spinning rod that I can skip with, but I still foul it up at times.

[nicholastown]

Nobody on this earth is effective everytime while skipping with a baitcaster. It is a technique that is best suited for spinning gear. It can be done, just very difficult to do without backlashing. Get a good spinning outfit, and go with it.

[jeffman]

POPR,

The best thing I have found for skipping is just a plain ol' Zebco 33 on a 5 1/2 ft pistol grip rod.

JackL

[catfishtonyd]

Dion Hibdon is the only person I've ever heard even claim he can skip with a casting reel. Â*And he said it took YEARS of practice. Â*I wouldn't even try it.

Jack's right about the Zebco 33. Great for skipping tubes and stuff under docks.

[Infisherman1]

I guess I should just use my spinning reel for it. I was just wonderring cause my friend can do it not get a birds nest but when I tried to it was birds nest after birds nest.

[szimmerman]

What is skipping with a baitcaster?

Never heard of it :P

I just checked Bassdozer.com for some articles on it, I found nothing.

[bassfisher14]

[quote author=StetsD link=board=news;num=1092365813;start=0#7 date=08/13/04 at 11:34:19]What is skipping with a baitcaster?[/quote]


Skipping is done when you want to get baits under docks, or structure of that nature, and don't want to make much noise. The bait "skips" on top of the water before it actually sinks. It is mainly done with soft plastics.

At least that is what I was told skipping is.

[Infisherman1]

yep, thas what it is.

Zooker gave me a heads up on a video done by Kevin Van Dam. Its called "Pitchin to Heavy Hitters" it's available through BPS. Van Dam skips the heck out of a tube in this video with a bait caster. He tells you how to set up your reel to do it.

[Frank_Eagles]

I set the mags to full, turn the adjustment knob two cranks up freom where it would normally be, and kinda sidearm/roll it, hard to explain, but it works. I definitely wouldn't clasim to do it well, just acceptably. (is that a word? ;D)

[ready2go]

I agree with what flbassman...I cranked things down to keep from getting a backlash at first...I have gotten fairly good at it now...of course this is after 10 years or so of practicing and worldclass backlashes...the key for me is accuracy (hitting when and where I want it to) and thumb control...I am not even aware of what I do now with a baitcaster...I think most of you that have used a baitcaster for a while would say that you aren't totally aware most of the time of the control you use when casting...just seems natural. I know this is a tired phrase but the key to casting and different techiques is practice on the water...a lot of it...oh and patience...lots of that too! ;D

[profishermenkid16]

I can skip with a baitcaster with no problems. If I can, most anyone can unless you mentally limit your capabilities.The problem you have can easily be limited by reducing the amount of line you spool on the reel.The second part is to get a 5'6" MH rod for skipping and do not load the rod tip with the lure to skip like you do with a spinning rod.I use a underhand pitch that puts the lure close to the water on the release.If you want to skip it way under give your self some room between the you and the dock where if you load the rodtip the spool has a chance to be up to speed before the lure hits the water surface and skips under the dock.If your backlashing alot the spool isn't up to speed before the lure hits the water creating the backlash.I hope this helps. ;D P N J

[Rob Mak]

the whole trick is in the release. i use a loop cast low along the water. 3-4 inches above the surface. i normally just use a spinning rod ...


zooker

[Rich]

I think most of you that have used a baitcaster for a while would say that you aren't totally aware most of the time of the control you use when casting...just seems natural

Never really thought about it before, but I think you are right, Ranger-it has become automatic.