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Skipping A Jig 2025


fishing user avatarjsh32 reply : 

So today I got out on the water for a little bit, but the fish weren't biting anything I had. I decided I would take that time to try to learn how to skip a jig. I got the motion down pretty quickly and without too many backlashes. However, no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get the jig to skip more than once (one time I got two skips). I also wasn't getting much distance on the actual skip, maybe one-two feet on average, the best being about 3-4 feet. I'm a tall guy and was using a 7'2 rod with a tatula ct reel loaded up with invizx fluro 15lb. I was wondering if there were any suggestions on how I could increase the number of skips and distance of the skip itself. What kind of gear is best for skipping? Does rod length matter? Type of line? Type of jig/trailer? 


fishing user avatarethan-333 reply : 

i like a 1/4 oz jig or punchjig and 17lb fluorocarbon line with a craw trailer. chiggercraw seems to skip pretty good. i use 7 foot up to 7 11.. shorter rods are easier.high gear ratio reel dont want a bass to wrap you up.

i turn my brakes pretty low on the reel

are you casting or pitching?


fishing user avatarAngry John reply : 

head shape on the jig, i like archy, 1/4 and a trailer that does not have a lot of extra stuff.  a beaver works good for me.

 


fishing user avatargripnrip reply : 

A heavier jig will skip better 3/8, 7/16, or a 1/2.


fishing user avatarRaul reply : 

 


fishing user avatarww2farmer reply : 

I prefer a shorter rod with a little "tip" and micro guides to keep line slap to a minimum. Most of the time if I am skipping a jig under a dock it's with a Falcon bucoo 6'10" H micro that I picked up just for skipping frogs, and jigs under docks. 50lb braid, with a short leader that keeps the alberto knot out of the guides works best for me.

 

As for jigs and trailers, I like a compact 7/16 oz jig...the Boss "finesse flipping" heads skip excellent for me, and I keep a flat profile trailer like a SK KVD chunk threaded tight to the head, and that works very well. Larger profile trailers with lots of appendages seem to catch a little more water on a skip and can make things go off course at the wrong time.


fishing user avatarFrogfather reply : 

Best tip I've received was once the bait hits the water, point the tip of the rod up. Often, we leave the rod at the angle of cast or we drop the tip. Physics matters the most. Rod tip up means line out of water. I aim about 3-5 feet in front of the object I'm skipping. More clear the water, I'll extend this a little. Let the line come out of reel a little faster than normal. Also, thumb pressure on the line needs to mastered because it's a balance of amount of line coming out (baitcaster) Final tip, perfect practice results in perfect execution. Best of luck. Please provide updates on your progress or tips you have learned!!


fishing user avatarcamman reply : 

I use a 7ft Rod and usually it's 15lb fluoro leader and braid.  I also prefer 1/4oz swim jig and a Zoom Speed Craw trailer.  I normally try to shorten the speed craw a bit and the skirt on the jig a little bit to make it a more compact profile. 


fishing user avatarriverbasser reply : 

I've never figured this out, although I haven't spent a ton of time trying. I just feel trying to learn how to skip with a baitcaster is a waste of time since it is much easier to use a spinning reel. All of my gear are tools. I use the tool that makes me work less. I love my baitcaster but not for skipping. 

 

But if it works for you then more power to you.


fishing user avatar"hamma" reply : 

  My "skipping rod" is a old shimano speedmaster pool cue type  spinning rod, 5'10" heavy fast action. Paired with a original shimano symetre 4000 reel. I will tie on a 1/4 oz "custom" jig I tie for skipping, paired with a #11 pork rind.

 With that being said,...it is my "designated skipping rod", as a spinning rod offers the line more freedom and I find it skips better than a baitcaster,...(for me),..

 Now,.. I flip and pitch with a flipping rod, and a heavier jig, again a "custom" tie,,... but, I have come up with a sideways pitch that I can pitch a very good distance, and have found that this sideways pitch will also skip quite well, and offers me a "around" the dock cast/skip. which I employ after I've targeted the front of the dock. Seems like just a bit of attention with my thumb keeps the backlashes at bay

 The jigs I use arent any special head type, just a certain "tied" on skirt, tweaked hook, body added is what makes it "custom"...so,..its, really not the jig. 

 Line? I use 12 pound mono,.. so its not any special line either.

 I believe its more the cast angle, force asserted, and most of all.,..Practice,...and I say again,..PRACTICE. Even with the spinning rod?,..at first? I was the worst at skipping. It took a ton of practice, almost a whole season, before I got it right.

 But being proactive I targeted overhanging trees, so as to not be beating up homeowners personal property when targeting docks. And I highly recommend this while practicing

 

 One thing I do when I "decide" to skip, rather than flip or pitch? I drop the trolling motor as low as I can to get it out of the way. The lower your rod tip is while casting, the better I've found.

 

 

 


fishing user avatarjsh32 reply : 

I was using  3/8 oz jig with a BPS chunk trailer. I found that to get one skip with a bout a two foot hop, actually throwing a little easier than I was at first. I do know that to get more distance I will have to put a little more power on it but as I'm just starting and its the end of January, I don't mind wasting a few minutes here or there getting a hang of it.

 

I've heard that kind of peeling the skirt of the jig away from the back helps it skip a little, might have to try that next time.

 

Thanks for all the advice. 


fishing user avatarLogan S reply : 

One fluid motion and the follow through is very important.  The follow through is just slowly lifting the rod tip up as the bait travels.  It is also important to not get right up on the dock/cover, leaving yourself more space will actually make getting more distance easier.  Use your normal reel braking settings but tighten the spool tension just a hair.  You don't need to over power the cast, just a nice fluid motion...Typically the bait is not travelling very far.  

 

Any head shape will work and flat shaped trailers with a little bulk can make things a little easier starting out.  The actual bait itself doesn't make a huge amount of difference though, technique and practice are the keys to getting it down.   

 

Shameless showing off below, but it's a good example of the proper motion ;).

 

 


fishing user avatarRichF reply : 
  On 1/23/2017 at 11:08 PM, Logan S said:

One fluid motion and the follow through is very important.  The follow through is just slowly lifting the rod tip up as the bait travels.  It is also important to not get right up on the dock/cover, leaving yourself more space will actually make getting more distance easier.  Use your normal reel braking settings but tighten the spool tension just a hair.  You don't need to over power the cast, just a nice fluid motion...Typically the bait is not travelling very far.  

 

Any head shape will work and flat shaped trailers with a little bulk can make things a little easier starting out.  The actual bait itself doesn't make a huge amount of difference though, technique and practice are the keys to getting it down.   

 

Shameless showing off below, but it's a good example of the proper motion ;).

 

 

 

Andy Montgomery quality right there!

 


fishing user avatarprimetime reply : 

Tubes skip really well, so do any jigs with a flat head like a flat rock, a good example would be the Booyah Bankroll jig, but there are so many. I like a shorter rod when skipping into brush on the shore, I would watch the videos that people have posted. Skipping a Fluke for example just in "Open water" can turn the fish on when you are not catching them, so it is good that you are trying to learn, I also find when fishing shorelines if you can get the bait way in the back, especially when you have undercut banks, you will notice you can fish behind eveyone and still catch fish. Most people are afraid to lose lures, I like to skip the lightest weight possible, even weightless.

 

Tubes and Flukes skip well, the key is having hooks and baits that stay on the shank well. Super glue is your friend. I like to skip Pegged Texas rigged baits or Weightless since Jigs tend to snag at times but for docks Jigs are a great way to skip, same with brush. Weeds and other structure I always go with a compact bait with 3/16 as a start, Sometimes I use a spinning rod which I can skip way better than a Casting rod for distance and precision. A bitsy bug jig on spinning rod can be deadly. Same with a 3-4" Flipping Tube with a Tube Style worm hook.

If you make a cast and the skip is really loud "it happens" but it lands in a good spot, I like to let the bait settle for maybe 30 seconds at times, bass will get spooked but often circle around to investigate & they will often just stare, then if you hop it gently, they will attack. One bait that skips awesome are the Solid Tubes like the IKA from GYB. Kind of a Senko/Tube Hybrid. The Strike King Swim texas rig jigs or swim jigs in 1/4 are great since you do not have to adjust the weight and you can change the profile.

 

Hope that helps. I have watched videos of Dean Rojas fishing a frog and literally skipping it every cast and it would seem like it is overkill but sometimes it really helps, It just takes practice but a Spinning rod can handle most situations and I find is easier, or a 6' Casting rod as I am short.


fishing user avatargripnrip reply : 
  On 1/23/2017 at 11:08 PM, Logan S said:

One fluid motion and the follow through is very important.  The follow through is just slowly lifting the rod tip up as the bait travels.  It is also important to not get right up on the dock/cover, leaving yourself more space will actually make getting more distance easier.  Use your normal reel braking settings but tighten the spool tension just a hair.  You don't need to over power the cast, just a nice fluid motion...Typically the bait is not travelling very far.  

 

Any head shape will work and flat shaped trailers with a little bulk can make things a little easier starting out.  The actual bait itself doesn't make a huge amount of difference though, technique and practice are the keys to getting it down.   

 

Shameless showing off below, but it's a good example of the proper motion ;).

 

 

Don't be skeered to get on that hotfoot! lol

 


fishing user avatariceintheveins reply : 

I've found a hollow body frog to be a little easier to skip than a jig so far, but it's the exact same motion.


fishing user avatarIndianaFinesse reply : 
  On 1/24/2017 at 8:52 AM, iceintheveins said:

I've found a hollow body frog to be a little easier to skip than a jig so far, but it's the exact same motion.

This was one of my most productive techniques last summer, not having to worry about snagging the frog in whatever is underneath the dock is a huge plus.  Nothing like skipping a frog way up underneath a dock, and hearing an unseen explosion before setting the hook on a big bass.


fishing user avatarTim Kelly reply : 

I can skip a jig reasonably well, but I've never found a frog that skipped nicely. What are you guys using? 


fishing user avatarIndianaFinesse reply : 
  On 1/24/2017 at 3:42 PM, Tim Kelly said:

I can skip a jig reasonably well, but I've never found a frog that skipped nicely. What are you guys using? 

Mostly pad crashers, but occasionally a live target frog to.  I honestly haven't tried a frog that doesn't skip well, so the problem is probably either the rod/reel your using or how you cast. It's helpful to use a lighter rod than would used for frog fishing in the slop, because the tip loads better giving it more speed.


fishing user avatarTim Kelly reply : 

Huh. Must be my technique. I have mostly spro popping frogs and they seem to dig in mid skip, a jig slides across the surface nicely but the frog usually digs after a few skips. Something to work on.


fishing user avatarIndianaFinesse reply : 
  On 1/25/2017 at 1:11 AM, Tim Kelly said:

Huh. Must be my technique. I have mostly spro popping frogs and they seem to dig in mid skip, a jig slides across the surface nicely but the frog usually digs after a few skips. Something to work on.

Popping frogs don't skip as well as standard shaped frogs, the cupped face tends to dig into the water the way your describing.  I would try skipping a standard frog before giving up on them, iis a very productive technique.


fishing user avatariceintheveins reply : 

I'm skipping Live Target and Pad Crasher Frogs. The popping models don't skip as well.


fishing user avatarjsh32 reply : 

Went back out to my pond and after a few min of not catching anything (I think I really just wanted to try to skip again lol) I gave up and went back to practicing skipping. First try, a beautiful cast hits the water and skips about 6-7 feet but only once. Think to myself, okay that was good but I forgot to raise the rod tip up. So the second try I put a little more power behind it and as soon as I let my thumb off the spool I lifted my rod tip up...and nothing. I look down to a huge blacklash and my jig all tangled up in a bush. I guess I learned that I still need to pay attention to my surroundings lol. Oh well, ya live and ya learn.  


fishing user avatarchadmack282 reply : 

More practice


fishing user avatarIndianaFinesse reply : 
  On 1/26/2017 at 9:44 AM, jsh32 said:

So the second try I put a little more power behind it and as soon as I let my thumb off the spool I lifted my rod tip up...and nothing. I look down to a huge blacklash and my jig all tangled up in a bush. I guess I learned that I still need to pay attention to my surroundings lol. Oh well, ya live and ya learn.  

I can't tell you how many times I've done this, whether its on trees, trolling motors, boat seats, etc. I roll cast the rod and push free spool to send the lure underneath a dock, only to have my reel explode in a massive backlash when the lure goes from 200 feet per seoncd to zero instantly.  


fishing user avatariceintheveins reply : 
  On 1/26/2017 at 10:36 AM, IndianaFinesse said:

I can't tell you how many times I've done this, whether its on trees, trolling motors, boat seats, etc. I roll cast the rod and push free spool to send the lure underneath a dock, only to have my reel explode in a massive backlash when the lure goes from 200 feet per seoncd to zero instantly.  

 

Happens to me a lot too. Skipping isn't that easy to learn, it takes A LOT of practice.


fishing user avatarBass_Fishing_Socal reply : 

Me too, start learning skipping. I mostly pratice with fluke style bait not jig. I bought new reel (daiwa tatula ct type R) just for this purpose I pair the reel with old 6'6" medium rod. Today the skipping was pretty good, I can make fluke to slide on top of water a few time without backlash. I hope by spring time Ill be ready for real dock skipping.




9365

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