Equipment Needed To Skip Lures Underneath Docks or Mangroves
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
Especially in the summertime, skipping lures below docks or mangroves is critical.
More often than not, the fish are seeking that shade from the sun provided by overhanging mangrove trees and docks.
Whether you’re new to skipping lures or not, this is what you need to get the job done!
Equipment Needed To Skip Lures [VIDEO]
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Rods & Combos:
Line & Leader Material:
Lures & Hooks:
Rod & Reel
When it comes to skipping, you need a rod that has a fast enough tip to whip the lure out there but also the backbone to pull fish away from structure.
I have found a Medium-Power Fast-Action rod to be best suited for this type of fishing.
Pair that up with a 2500-size reel spooled with a 10lb braid and you’re in business.
The actual rod I use for this type of fishing is the Slot Machine Custom Rod.
It is a 7’6 Medium-Power with a Fast-Action tip.
As far as setups that won’t break the bank, the Most Popular Rod, Reel, & Line Combo is the way to go.
This includes a 7’6 TFO Pro with a 3000-size Daiwa Fuego.
Leader Assembly
For skipping, you will want to make use of the Dirty Deeks Leader Assembly to beef up the tip of your line.
Go ahead and tie on a 20lb leader as you normally would, however, add a small bite tippet section of roughly 8-10 inches of 30 or even 40 lb leader material.
I use a uni-to-uni knot to link both of the leader materials together.
The bite tippet is a crucial part of the setup – especially if you are targeting snook.
Their mouths can easily rub against the line causing abrasions that lead to break-offs.
Furthermore, you want to use a weedless hook on the end of your leader.
I recommend the Hoss Helix Hooks because they maintain weedless properties while providing the biggest hook gap to increase the hookup ratio.
Targeting Trophy Fish
When we’re actively going after the BIG fish, we need to step up our power.
I’m talking about using a Medium-Heavy rod with a 3000-size reel.
You can go up to a 4000-size reel, however, the 3000 will do just fine.
In this case, you also want to step the braid up to 15-20lb line as well as bump up the leader.
20lb leader would be fine for the bigger section, but the bite tippet needs to be at least 40-50+ lbs in strength.
This is useful for fishing concrete docks or those pilings with lots of barnacles.
You want to be able to get that fish hooked and out of structure rather quickly.
For the bigger fish, I prefer the Cashion Element Inshore rod.
It is a Medium-Heavy that ranges from 8-20 lbs of line.
This model in particular has a soft tip so you can effectively skip lures while having the backbone to battle monster fish.
The TFO Pro will work as well but you want to bump up to the Medium-Heavy model.
Lure Selection
When it comes to skipping, you want to use larger lures that are a bit heavier.
The bigger lures skip better.
Lures like the 4-inch Mulligan and our 5-inch BOMBER are excellent choices for skipping.
The BOMBER is the best skipping lure I personally have ever used.
Its flat sides and weight are perfect for skipping below docks and into mangroves.
Lures with extra appendages or antennae sticking out are NOT useful for skipping.
Those appendages will grab hold of the water and put an end to your skip real fast.
Another great choice for skipping is a soft plastic jerk shad.
These again are great because of the flat sides but they are a bit lighter than the lures I just mentioned.
I hope you learned something from this video!!
If you have any questions, please leave them down below.
Also, go ahead and drop your favorite skipping lures or techniques I left out in the comments as well!!
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Love to see a video specifically on how to skip out of a kayak.
Good information but we need something a little more in depth as to the casting technique and tips for skipping from a sitting position in a kayak.
You made it look effortless.
Thank you.
Excellent video Pat and very well presented… As always you made it completely informative for everyone… Also glad to see that you stressed the importance of the main line leader material and then the bite tippet …. Very good video indeed and well presented for sure …. Job well done !!!
Thank you Pat. Haven’t done much in the way of skipping but I do watch the videos as much as I can so when the opportunity arises, I’ll at least have a head start.
Great Video Pat! I don’t know how you can skip out of a kayak! KUDOS to you 😉 I have hard enough time skipping from front deck of a boat! I really feel good when one of my casts slide under the Mangroves.
Great information as always Pat.
Appreciate it Gregory!
Great information Pat thanks
Glad you liked it Donald!
Great video,thanks.
No problem Tom!
Wait, wait, wait! I see your bomber…and I’ve been hooking them upside down apparently. Ugh. Thanks for the video, Pat. I always learn something from these.
Hey Brett, just a word on that, The way I had it rigged in the video was upside down. I will doo that after a few catches and the hook won’t stay in place. Either way will work!
This video really helps me to improve my fishing ability. Thanks
Glad you liked it Carl!
Pat – I agree that the 5” Bomber is a great skipping lure with a weedless weighted hook. Why not just skip the bite tippet and use 30lb?
You absolutely can skip the tippet. I just have that set up that way for leader shy fish when I’m casting in open water. Sometimes the 30 or 40 can spook the fish