Cast Under Cover
Bass pro Shaw Grigsby demonstrates the skip cast at Florida’s Bienville Plantation (386-397-1989, bienville.com). The skip cast is useful for presenting a light lure to fish holding under docks, bridges or overhanging bank cover.
Casting Motion
Water slows the lure as it skips across the surface, so the angler must apply some force to the cast to impart more speed. A spinning reel works best for the job. The stop-and-go speed of the lure as it’s skipping makes it difficult to use a bait-casting reel without experiencing backlash.
Low Sidearm Slider
1 Angle the rod tip toward the water, keeping the lure low and parallel to the water’s surface.
2 Bring the casting arm forward without changing the angle, building speed to give the lure momentum.
3 Release line when the lure moves toward the target. Feather line with your index finger to control distance.
ROTATE FORWARD Turning your body into the cast gives you better control of where the lure lands under the cover. The rod should be pointed at the target as you make the cast.
SNAP TO IT The force applied to skip a lure is similar to that used to make a long sidearm cast. Snap your wrist and arm forward simultaneously to provide the necessary momentum.
BEST LURES Lightly weighted soft-plastics or lightweight jerkbaits that don’t dig in make the best lures for skipping.
WATER BRAKES It’s easier to skip-cast with the wind at your back. Due to the dampening effect of the water, it’s difficult to skip a lure across the surface when there is substantial chop or wave action.