New rod

[TCook]

Yes using a casting rod to skip is ideal to keep the fish from wrapping you up but hard to get the hang of. Actually when I was fishing with Chris I was better at it than I remember in the past. I really think the reel I was using made the difference or should I say the ceramic boca bearings I installed. My reel was so much smoother and would cast alot further even though I crank the tension knob down when skipping. I still have alot of practice ahead of me in that area to consider myself good enough though. For spinning I would say MH with an extra fast tip and as short a rod you can get away with to where the handle extends to your forearm which is how you get that needed leverage. Otherwise you are trying to horse the bass out with just your wrist with a spinning reel.

[djkimmel]

Many people don't consider the importance of a smooth reel that doesn't backlash too easily for this type of fishing. Important point about the bearings too.

What length rod do you use? Myself, I kind of think the rod length has to be somewhat determined by how tall the angler is too a little.

[TCook]

Spinning I have been using a 7'1" and casting 7" a 6"6' would probably be perfect but I am only a coangler as of now and im not going to go out and buy 20 different setups for every situation when I only bring maybe 6.

[Hooksetter]

If you are accurate using a 7' rod my hats off to you. I am very accurate with my 6' but not with my 6'6". I wouldn't even try with a 7'. I think it would be nothing but frustration. I guess if I could practice more I would get better with a longer rod but I haven't had any real problems pulling fish out from under docks and pontoons. I use a 6' MH fast action spinning rod with a Tennessee handle. I slide the reel as far up the handle as possible. This helps me with accuracy and also gives me a little more leverage.

I think boat positioning can play a part in your success also. I try, if possible, to attack from the point of least resistance.

The biggest thing I think is using what is comfortable and works for you. That might take some experimenting on your part.

Willie

[Big dreams]

I never heard of Grandt Rods until I joined this site.  Since then, I have purchased two, about to be three.  But yes, I was inquiring about length and handle. 

BgD

[djkimmel]

I never heard of Grandt Rods until I joined this site.  Since then, I have purchased two, about to be three.  But yes, I was inquiring about length and handle. 

BgD

I sure do appreciate that. Make sure they know you are a GreatLakesBass.com member when you buy. For my dock fishing, I'm out of practice so I use a 6' 6" MH spinning rod when I get to do it. I'm 5' 10" tall and usually get to fish from the front of the boat when doing this. If I was in the back of the boat, I would probably go to a 6' rod instead because I'd be lower to the water. I prefer a cork handle because it fits my hand right. I'm usually line-watching for the dock bites if I don't actually see the fish. Most are felt and hooked that way rather than actually feeling the bite anyway.

I use P-Line Spectrex IV braided line in a lighter pound test, and if I think it will make a difference, I use a Fluorocarbon leader. Not very often though.

It becomes much more challenging if you aren't running the boat to get the correct position (and I can attest to that when I'm fishing lazy and just make the cast). For skipping, a 7' rod seems a little too long for me personally. I tend to hit the water too early (backlash warning).

I actually tried shorter 'cutoff' rods in the far past but found in our water, it was too awkward and inefficient when I was between docks or on a large dock were some casts were short and some long.

In the old days, I did use a baitcasting combo at times and liked the improvement in power. A lot less torque and wear on you, with better ability to pull bass out quicker. But for me, I had to stay on top of it with lots of practice and consistent chances to use it that way. The call of the big lakes and the Great Lakes has pulled me away too much from this type of fishing to be efficient with a baitcaster.

I also tried underspin reels in the past, but for me, they were even worse than a spinning reel at dealing with the fight of a bigger, determined bass. Sometimes you can trick a bass out by not over-pressuring it, but not always. I did like that the big spool underspins were real nice to skip with and almost no backlash problems. I also used regular spincast reels, but found them to also be weak under pressure and another method that you need to do a lot to stay accurate with. At least accurate enough to be efficient and make this type of fishing worthwhile.

[Firefighter Jeff]

That's all I'm asking in your case. I thought a good point earlier was made that you switched to a casting rod for this technique. That is helpful information.

Many of us, me included, have no idea the length, power or action of that brand and model so it would be more helpful to someone looking for the right action rod to specify the rod length and power instead of just a brand/model number. I see that on here a lot with many brands and models. I know I'm not the only one who isn't that familiar with length, action, color, etc just by a brand and model number.

As much as I have fished in the past, I can't really tell you the length and power of most manufacturer's rod models anymore than I know what color a Yamamoto 281 (or whatever is). I guess 20 years ago I knew what some of the color numbers where, but no longer. I have to go by the actual color. Getting worse too since I misplaced my memory somewhere a while back.

Anyway, the type of rod, action and length are the most helpful in this case for sure and I would still have to ask because I don't know. Others probably don't either.

    I agree with you Dan.  I haven't a clue what the rod is like that Tim was talking about.  lol  I'm truely amazed at how many guys do know all about that stuff.  I'm sure it helps make them a better fisherman.  Wish I had more time to research and money to purchase.