While it's safe to assume that most bass anglers are well trained and quite accurate in their casting skills, it's also a safe bet to assume many of these same anglers run into problems while trying to present a lure into a very tight target or even trying to get the lure around, between or under low hanging obstacles.

Spiderwire has a great advertisement in the fishing mags currently that shows a sweet little honey hole surrounded by nasty trees and brush that are adorned with lures from failed attempts at getting into the spot. The caption says "In order to get to heaven, you need to go through hell" or something to that effect.

Now granted, a strong line will help get our lure back from snags and such, but a dead-on cast will keep you out of the nasties in the first place.

Let's look at the finer skills involved with "skipping" a lure or bait to a low overhanging destination like under a dock, in between boats, under low hanging trees and inside drainage pipes. These targets quite often hold good bass for the mere fact that most weekend anglers shy away from casting to the spots for fear of losing their $5 lure.

Practicing fine casting tactics like "skipping" in your back yard a few nites a week can build your confidence and put you on the trophies in these hard to reach spots.

Skipping is a skill which requires alot of practice in order to master the technique. The first step in becoming a skilled "skipper" is to learn to "flip cast" or "roll cast". This is basically done by using the wrist and the rod tip all in one circular motion. To better clarify exactly what im explaining here simply take a peice of string about 5-7 inches long and tie a small nut to the end of it. Now hold the string in your hand between your thumb and your pointing finger. Let the nut hang straight down and then in a clockwise motion, snap your wrist and roll it clockwise causing the nut to swing up and over your hand in a complete circle.

NOTE: FOR LEFT HANDED ANGLERS DO THIS COUNTERCLOCKWISE.

Practice this until you can make the nut swing completely around effortlessly. once you've mastered that, you are on your way to becomming a pretty good skipper.

Okay. You've got the nut swinging effortlessly. Now remember how you did that because you're going to be doing the EXACT same thing with a 6-7 foot fishing rod in your hand with a nut attached to the tag end of the fishing line. ( NOTE: this technique can be used for both casting and spinning reels. The technique may be more difficult and may require extra practice with most casting reels depending upon the braking systems.)

With rod and reel now in hand and a nut attached to the tag end of the line, you're now ready to do a very enlarged version of the string and nut technique you just learned. Let out line until the nut hangs down from the top eye at least 12-18 inches. Now roll your wrist in a clockwise motion and at the same time in the same motion swing the nut around clockwise and release the line as soon as the nut finishes 3/4 of the circle.

This may seem quite difficult at first and it may be hard to determine exactly when to release line, but with enough practice the momentum of the nut if released at the right moment will carry the nut closely along the top of the water and if its done precisely,the nut will skip across the water.

(NOTE: THIS PRACTICE CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH GREATER EASE IF YOU'RE STANDING ON A STURDY CHAIR, AND YOU CAN SKIP THE NUT ACROSS A SMOOTH SURFACE. IT WILL NOT WORK IN GRASS!!!!!!)

Assuming you've somewhat mastered the skill of nut skipping, you can bring your new weapon to the nearest bass holding body of water and begin looking for places to skip your lure under, between, or even over.

Good lures for skipping are: Worms, rubber shads, jig-n-pigs, creature baits, spinner baits, rubber frogs/rats and senkos. Once you're truly a master, crankbaits can be deadly when skipped far under docks and other low hanging obstacles. Begin your new found mastery with the simplest of presentations like worms and rubber shad. Don't try skipping spinnerbaits and larger lures until you're comfortable with lighter lures.

People don't appreciate finding lures wrapped around their property. Once you're able to skip your presentations to these heavenly bass hangouts that are so often overlooked by other anglers, you will begin to see more and more pictures of yourself posted right here on realbass.com of you "KISSIN THE BONEY LIP".

Get out of the ordinary and learn how to become a proficient "skipper" because in this game more often than not, we have to go in and get them out of places that ordinary casting skills just wont allow!

Mike Panek