Skip Jack Fishing.

[TOPS]

well Arkansas members, Since the skip jack thread was not added to Fishing America Form along with Gar fishing and Shad fishing. I have added to our form. Please post all Arkansas Skip Jack Information HERE.

[coach]

oh my my!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

[Tinboat]

Play nice Coach :p :grin-big: :grin-big: :grin-big:

[dafin]

pictures !!!!!! we want pictures!!!! :D

[Cataholic]

Pictures of Coach? I've already got some thank you :D

[Cataholic]

Sorry, I've got some of Dennis and Verlon too!

[TOPS]

Here! I hope this will help!!

[dafin]

fine looking mess of bait top

[TOPS]

Here are some of the skips that we caught last winter. Hope this winter will be better than last winter.

[TOPS]

post deleted wrong place to post

[TOPS]

Last winter the skips were being caught on white curly tail grubs with pink heads. They were rigged two on the main line of the rod. I have seen as many as three on the main line. More than three, they seem to tangle easer.

[Smellycat]

One thing I learned last spring, you gotta use light line. Me and Veritok went to the nuke plant. We both had the same jigs tied on. He caught 13 skippers and I caught none until I figured out he had 6 lb test and I had 10 lb test on my spinning reel for some reason. Anyway I couldnt catch nothing until I put on smaller line.

[TOPS]

Smelly, That info is good to know, when I first started to fish the outlet, I was told to put 10 pound test line on because the skips are huge and will break your line. I may rig one with smaller line this year. May, heck I will rig with smaller line. :confused:

[jtrew]

I think that the probablem may well have been that the heavier line made the jigs ride higher in the water, rather than the skippies being scared off by seeing the line. The first time we went to Pickwick, I made one cast with 6# line and had it snapped on the strike; I switched to 10# line, and when that was snapped the third time, I switched to 20# line. I couldn't tell any difference in the frequency of strikes, although I had to often change the weight of the jigs, or even add a sinker to reach where the skippies were in the water column. They'd be on the surface for a while, then move down, sometimes pretty deep.

[TOPS]

The skips should be coming into the outlet soon. I hope we all have a productive year. I ran out of bait last year. :crying:

[TOPS]

I will try some vanish line for the skips. skips feed by sight hope this line improves my catch. It was suggested to me that the Cajun red line is being scene. :confused:

[Whistler]

Top, my friend Bob uses Cajun Red for skippies. He does just fine when they're biting. I've been using powerpro on a Mitchell 300 lately and it seems to work. I think when they're feeding hard, it wouldn't matter if you had white 550 cord for line. LOL Two white curly tails about 12 inches apart always seems to work for us.

[r_do]

I have fished for cats in Tenn, Ohio, Ky, Florida, Ala. and now here in Ar., I have never heard of fishing with skippies until I became a member of BOC. Is there any differance in skippies and shad? Thanks :confused:

[jtrew]

There are lots of differences between skipjack and gizzard or threadfin shad. They are longer and slimmer in shape than shad, and much oilier. The gut on a half pound skippie is much larger and tougher than the gut on a half pound shad. Shad deteriorate so much when I freeze them that I don't even bother to try anymore; skipjack, on the other hand, freeze so well that we make an annual trip from Little Rock to Pickwick Dam to stock up. Skippies are caught on rod & reel, using a sabiki rig, or 2 or 3 crappie jigs tied in tandem; they run fast, fight hard, and jump like baby tarpon.

[TOPS]

r-do, The skips here seem to get much bigger than the shad. they are much oiler than the shad, they keep longer. Although shad can be good bait and I do at times, fish with shad, skips are better. just my thought. ;)

[hoosier angler]

IMHO, I may as well toss in my two cents. We always try to take a large variety of bait when we go out because we believe that the Bait is what really makes the difference. We probably spend 25% of our fishing time getting good bait.Sometimes skipjack are great, but I have seen when they won't touch them and prefer shad, or shad guts. I have also experienced great bites when they will take almost anything. :confused: I like FRESH CAUGHT BAIT preferably from the place I am fishing, weather I am using it dead or alive. If I am fishing for big blues I do prefer skipjack.

A note about freezing bait
Have any of you tried tempering your bait pryer to freezing it?
(ie 50% water 50% ice plus rock salt)
This quickly hardens the bait and sets the scales.
then pack the bait in rock salt, vacume bag and place in deep freeze. ( not a frost free freezer)
I know what you are thinking, sounds like lot of work
,and it is but worth it if you don't want a mushy soft bait.
I also don't have access to fresh skipjack so freezing is my only option.(usually can't catch them when I do)

When we go after them we use Sabki (sa-bee-key) rigs (cut down to 4 hooks) and small silver spoons on 14 inch leader barrel swivel and appropreiate egg sinker. 20-25 lb line, medium action spinning rod and reel.
Sounds like a heavy set-up for a little hearing?
It works ,
1. Think of this 3 skipjack on the line + heavy current = 20 lb line
2. 5-6 lb drum (very likely)
3. 5-10lb striper (likely)
4. 2-3 lb white bass ( almost a certainty)

I learned my lesson early on cathing skippies, an ultra-lite won't get it.
I lost 2 sabki rigs, half a dozen spoons, and all my line and only boated a few fish. When they are biting you can load up on them, this is the same reason you need to be prepared for these other fish.

I have also noticed that many fisherman don't really take care to keep their bait in good condition. Any bait won't be as good if you leave it laying on a cutting board in the sun, or soaking in the water at the bottom of your cooler.

We like to have a lot of bait so we can keep fresh bait on at all times.
One thing is for sure, it seems like it is always hard to get when you are out of it.

,Done JA

[TOPS]

Thanks for the post, here in this part of Arkansas we are known, by other members as bait catchers :D All of the names are out of fun but we do catch our bait in winter to use until next winter.The skips are easier for us to catch in winter. I have caught over 400 in a two day trip. Keep an eye on this thread we should starting skips soon. :D

[hoosier angler]

Thanks Top, I may have to go on a rord trip for skips!!!!!!

[Cataholic]

Helps me remember the old Lone Star Beer commercials from when we lived in Texas. Their slogan was "I Believe in the armadillo, I Believe!"
Yep it's a coolin' off and the Skips will start stackin up at the outlet "I Believe!"
It'd be nice to have some bait for a change and the fun 'O catchin' Skippies as fast as you can throw 'em on ice is almost, almost...
Let's go git 'em!

[TOPS]

Coach (Steve Adams) gave us Arkansas boys the name bait catchers. He,dafin,and griz would get in the chat room of the old board and give us heck about passing info to the other members about the skip jack that we caught that day/week. The info sharing got started because we have some members that live over 3 hours away from where we catch the skips. save them a trip if the catch was not a large one for that day/week. :D

[BigB]

Is anyone catching skips yet? I have had no luck. Wish we would get some more rain so they could run some water.

[TOPS]

Big B, I have not been to my skip jack hole yet this year. My boat is down and can not get the hole. I will let every one know when we start bitting. :confused:

[Big Sam]

:) Hey on that cajun line...I thought that red is the first color to disappear when it enters the water...correct me GENTLY if i'm wrong!

[TOPS]

Sam, I that is true but the catch was off last year. I caught 400 in two days the year before last. I did not catch 400 all winter long last year. I am gonna try something different. :confused: :D :confused: :glare:

[Big Sam]

:confused: Hey sarge have you ever tried at dardnell behind the dam where the water comes out the nuclear plant? It's a good spot in the winter the water is warmer.I know you can catch skippies at the outlet down past pinebluff by the hudreds when they are generating.Have you heard anything?

[TOPS]

That is my skip jack hole. we have Arkansas members that travel long distance to fish the hot water outlet. If the skips are stacked up in the outlet like they normally are, in two trips a member can catch enough bait to last most all summer. Anytime you wont to try to catch some skips, send me a PM and I will sent you my phone number. My boat is down down now but hope to be up soon. I live about two miles from the hot water outlet ramp. Where in Arkansas do you live?

[Big Sam]

:glare: HEY sarge i live in Booneville AR. about 40 minutes from dardnell about
30 from the boat ramp past shoals bay.I got a boat and it works.I fish all around...maybe we can meet and go sometime? Be glad too!

[Cataholic]

Hey buddy, You'll have to have a "TOON" if you come 'round the outlet to catch Skippies! There's folks round here highjacking boats to be able to get to their favorite bait! Just kidding! Have you got a few tractor tubes you can pull behind you for all of us baitless souls? :rolleyes: LOL
Booneville eh?

[Little Mac]

BIGB, where do you catch skips at? Barling? Glad to see someone from around my neck of the woods. I always gotta put in some windshield time to get to fish with my other buds on here. I usually fish with Top for skips down at the nuclear plant. Later Mac

[coach]

i'm having withdrawls!!!!!!!!!!! i need to see some arkansas skipjack pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :p

[BigB]

Mac, I usually catch'em at lock & dam 13 but with no water running and this hot weather they wont be there. When it gets cold enough I catch'em up against the cement wall around the hydro electric flow.I just came from there nobody was catching anything.

[coach]

skipjack report... but no pics.... hope it is ok to post here on the arkansas site without pics... :rolleyes: ...... caught a tad over a 100 on the misipy today........ sabiki rig.....off the end of a dike.....

[Little Mac]

Look it there, Fish with the arkies, act like the arkies! ;) Face it coach you just live right across the river from Arkansas we understand you cant help yourself, So go right ahead post those pictures :p you know you want too :evil-big: But since ya posted this I spect we will have plenty bait this weekend. :D How did the boat do? Mac :cool:

[three_rivers]

Mac, we can give it up on those pictures. Best i member, we's still waitin on pictures of those livers. At least now we know whys hes not postin any catfish pictures. :D

[coach]

the boat ran fine mac.......i like it!!!! no pics cause i ain't caught anything worth taking pics of...... went to vicksburg sat. and didn't catch a fish all day..... we saw 4 other boats at the ramp and they didn't catch fish either....bunch of the skippies were small , but 27 were big for what we catch here-14 inches or so-.........just cut the little ones in two and put 2 or 3 on the hook.... good bait!!!

[Little Mac]

Good Deal on the boat, Im waitin to hear from Top, We got his boat to the shop the other day to have everything set correctly, I guess when we get the green light we will see if there are any skippies in the outlet. My boats getting close, but still going to be a ways off. all the little stuff is turning out to be a chore, I didnt realize how many screws, bolts and nuts went into putting those rails back on. My hands are killing me. bout to take a break an get my gear together for the weekend.

[gooboy]

great to see a skipjack thread. i live in northwest la. and most of the fishermen around here ain't never even heard of one. i catch mine on the ouchita below monroe but you can forget about catching one in the winter. i'll be trapping the month of december, and then will be out of the country until the first of february. do yall catch any then? in my opinion skipjack is the best bait money can't buy. sure would like to get a box or two of them to start the early season off with.

[jtrew]

Gooboy, getting skipjack at the warm water discharge of the nuclear plant depends a lot on weather and water temperature. A hard winter that gets the lake water really cold will drive the skippies into that cove in huge numbers; but during a mild winter, you'll hardly notice any increase in numbers. If you're thinking of driving that far, you might want to consider coming to our annual skipjack roundup every spring at Pickwick, on the Tennessee River, just north of Corinth, Mississippi. We generally try to go around the end of April, but we haven't set a date yet, because my daughter (Gardenhawk) is expecting around the end of March. Last trip, we brought home around 300# of skippies and froze them.

[Mr Phatkat]

Are skipjack the same as hickory shad?

[TOPS]

Mr, skips are fresh water herring. The make very good bait because of the natural oil in the skips. If you get a chance to try skips for bait, do it.

[Mr Phatkat]

Oh, thx, I use (blueback?) herring all the time. They are good bait. I've just never seen them that large. In the spring when the roe shad run, you catch a mix of hickory shad as well and thel look very very similiar to the skipjack u showed in your pic. Thx again

[TOPS]

Mr Phat, with the large skips we cut them down to size. The gut pocket makes some of the best bait. I have caught alot of cat from the gut pocket alone.

[jtrew]

Phatcat, skipjack and hickory shad are not the same thing, although skipjack are sometimes incorrectly referred to as 'hickory shad', especially in Tennessee. They are also sometimes called 'Tennessee Tarpon', but they aren't tarpon; but they do look and fight very much like a bably tarpon, making swift runs and numerous jumps.

[gooboy]

jerry, i would consider driving just about anywhere to catch some fresh skipjack. it's a 95 mile one way trip to my regular spot on the ouchita river to catch them. the problem with that is you can't catch any there until may. i'm out and sure would hate to wait that long. if i can't find any before yall head to pickwick, i sure might be interested in that trip. probably would be fun anyway. thanks for the info.

[blackwaterkatz]

Oh, thx, I use (blueback?) herring all the time. They are good bait. I've just never seen them that large. In the spring when the roe shad run, you catch a mix of hickory shad as well and thel look very very similiar to the skipjack u showed in your pic. Thx again

I may be a little late reading this, but here's a link that may help explain the differences in shad. Click Here to Read (http://www.catfish1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3342). Post #7. The skipjack is very similar to our blueback herring. Be aware that there is also a threadfin, or greenback herring that is sometimes mistaken for gizzard or threadfin shad. It looks very similar, but they aren't as deep through the body, and the mouth is a little more upturned than a shad.

[jtrew]

Gooboy, are there any power generating plants down your way that have a warm water discharge? Those are usually good spots during cold weather.

[gooboy]

jerry, the only one that i know of is on caddo lake. i have never heard of anyone catching any there. as for as the rivers go, no.

[jtrew]

Gooboy, I checked on the map, and it looks like you're almost twice as far from Pickwick as I am, but it's a great place to catch a freezer full of skipjack, at least in the spring. Check with Shilohred about skipjack availability during the rest of the year; he lives a few miles from the dam.

[TOPS]

Goo, have you tried fishing below the dam at Columbia ,Louisiana. I know there are alot of shad there but the skips should be there also. good cat fishing there also.

[gooboy]

yes,the columbia lock and dam is were i go to catch my skipjack. it's only 95 miles from my house. only problem is i have never caught any early in the spring. have never even tried in the winter.

[TOPS]

goo, what do you use for bait to catch the skips? we mostly use crappie jigs ridged in tandem on your main line. we also have some members that use sabuiki rigs.

[gooboy]

i have no idea what a sabuiki rig is. i use 3 jigs about 10 inches apart on 14# test line. i just fish off the bank right below the dam. when they are biting i have caught over 100#s in a morning of fishing. and i have made some really poor trips over there. i have no idea how big they suppose to get, but i've caught a buch over two #'s there.

[flathunter]

I used some skipjack this spring, but found that shad was outfishing it 10-1, I still would like to try it agin.

[TOPS]

The skips should be running at the hot water soon. I was unable to find my buddy that works at the plant but he told me just after Christmas. The hot water will start.

[TOPS]

Little Mac and I will fish the hot water outlet Friday. WE will try to throw the cast net for shad and the swift water for skips. :D

P.S. This will be the first time my boat has been out sence I got it fixed. Pray that it runs ok!

[TDawgNOk]

Verlon, ya got my prayers for your boat. I'm in the same situation, hoping my boat runs when I take it out the first time.

[TOPS]

I had to cancelled Fridays skip jack fishing trip[ 30 Dec] I was in the wind most of the day yesterday and woke up this with a bad head cold. I am so sorry for this Mac. I can not plan anything anymore. :o :o :mad: :cursing:

[Little Mac]

Thats OK Top, Your fired!!! LOL. Im kinda sick myself but coming out of it.

[TOPS]

With this cold snap the skips SHOULD be moving into the hot water outlet. Anyone would like to give the a try next week PM me for other info.

[fisherdude]

I was out there Saturday at the discharbge basin in all that wind. It was unpleasnt, but I did catch a few skips and a few cats in the 3 - 4 pound range.

[Little Mac]

I think I can get away from here on Friday 10th. You up for some skippy fishin, after this cold snap I bet they are ready. I havent looked at the weather might be good, might be bad This is Arkansas. :)

[TOPS]

Sure would like to go friday the 10, but I cant. The wife's income Tax check is gonna be deposited into her account by turbo tax on that day and She has me a laundry list of things to do/pay. What about Monday the 13, we can go on that day.

[Little Mac]

I will have to check my many schedules LMAO My schedule, Jennies Schedule and Dads Schedule. They are suppose to start on my building Monday, Course they said that 2 weeks ago too, So I dont know. Will let you know before monday though. Ok. Mac

[Little Mac]

Verlon, I wont be able to make it tommorow. I just have too much to do. Mac

[TOPS]

Can anyone tell me if the skips are running below Dardnaelle Dam?

[Stainless]

I caught 30 this morning in 3 1/2 hrs at the Barling Gen plant. I'm new to using skip's as catfish bait but after a few times of using them, they made me a believer. Now I'm out catching as many as I can to freeze for later on. Here are the ones caught today:
http://www.bjhmemories.com/Temp/skipjack.jpg

[Little Mac]

Corey, you catch those from the bank? better yet did you catch them on the left side between the bank and that sandbar? sounds like i need to get down there an stock back up. Mac

[Stainless]

Yep, caught them on the Van Buren side about 100 yards from the base of the down stream side of the the generator but before the steel bouy cable that stretches across. I got down there about 9am and stayed till a little after 12. I would have had twice as many but this was my first time fishing for them and I didn't have my line rigged correctly. I finally realized to slow down the realing and use a total of two jigs at a time for more productivity. I'll probably be going back next Sunday and go at it again if I get a chance. Here is where I was at:
http://www.bjhmemories.com/Temp/GetImageArea.jpg

[Little Mac]

I know that area well, Everytime I have to go to Fort smith, I go that way to see if they are runnin. Been busy lately, glad to see someone post on the activity there. Maybe I can get one of my boys to go with and we will go down there and get stocked back up. 2 jigs? What color? and have you ever used a Sabiki rig? They seem to work really well at Russelville Nuke plant outlet. I noticed you said you are just starting to use Skippies as bait, a little advice to you would be get them on Ice as soon as possible, and freeze them (depending on size) 2 to 3 to a bag, just enough for an outing of fishing. They get real mushy after 2 freezings. I'm no expert by any means Just information I have learned from members in the know, and by experience. Good fishin to you, maybe we will run into each other. Mac

[Stainless]

We went again this evening and the water level was a lot higher compared to Sunday. They were biting pretty good up untill the sun went down then it went dead. We bucketed maybe 10 or so.
I've been catching them on different colors. Full white, yellow, green.. they don't seem to have a preference. Two to a line.
I know what you mean by mushy, I took some out of the freezer earlier and laid them out on the table to thaw so I could set up a trot line before I left work and when I tried to hook them they just fell into pieces. I got some frozen ones and thawed them in cold water for a few min and they worked great.

[Little Mac]

My Wife and I went today to the barling dam, Not very much luck, we did catch 4 small skips, it was overcast and I assume that had something to do with it, always did better with the sun out. Jennie once again outfished me for bait :embarassed: but then when we fish for bluegills she usually whips me then too...... Gotta go to town again in a couple days will try again then. Mac

[TOPS]

The Skip Jack fishing was alittle better this year at the hot water outlet. I hope next winter will be even better. I am sending out an invitation to all to fish the hot water outlet this winter. There are some woods adjacent to the outlet parking lot. I have seen people camping in those woods. will be primitive but will not have to travel far. I hope to see you there and give you some pointers.

[jtrew]

I've camped overnight there several times in my motorhome, just off the pavement of the parking lot. Guards came by several times a night and never said a word about it.

[TOPS]

The shad are coming into the hot water outlet of the Nuclear plant. Skips should not be to far behind

[Pastor E]

Thanks for the inflo guys I never heard of skipjacks before BOC I am on fire to try catching some If its a fish I like catching them can you catch them at Toadsuck:006:

[dudlbugr]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to let y'all know the skips are biting in Chicot County! I went out yesterday, and caught 12 or 14 decent ones, and 2 real nice 8 inchers! Boy, did they put up some fight, let me tell you!
And I've put the results of that, 2 yellows and a blue, in the freezer. Man, they're gonna be good.

[Little Mac]

Any reports of skips out of Nuclear one? Russelville? :cool2: Mac:cool2:

[Little Mac]

Ok, I will try this again, Has anyone caught any skipJack at Nuclear 1 Hotwater outlet outside Russellville Arkansas?

[TOPS]

Mac, I have not been. I have drove to the ramp and seen the birds in there. Give me a call and we will set up a fishing trip. I think they may be coming in there.

[TOPS]

Well, Mac and I fished the Hot water outlet today 2 Nov 06. We only caught one skip and lost one other at the boat. The reactor has been down and I think that may have some affect on the skips entering the outlet.

[Little Mac]

Top, I am thinking maybe on Friday if the weather is permitting to give it a go again. What do you think? Mac

[three_rivers]

You guys let us know how it goes....Never know who you may see on the water..:wink: :tounge_out:

[TOPS]

Mac, Friday will be good for me. Do you wont to skip fish or fish for cats? Makes me no never mind. Heck we can do both if need be.

[dudlbugr]

Hey Top and Mac,

If y'all get some good ones (especially if they're better than the Chicot County Skips - - -DOUBTFUL!), how about posting some pics???

Thanks.

[Little Mac]

Now Reb, Im sure after all this time around us arkies, surely you know what a skip looks like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :big_smile: No pictures. Top, Probably Just skips, Depends on the weather and wind if we go after cats.

[777]

Top / Mac ( FYI ) This is the forcast for London Arkansa on Friday

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north northwest. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

[TOPS]

Mac did you see the weather report from Johnny. Give me a call if you still wont to go and let me know what time you will be here.

[TOPS]

Mac and tried the skips today. They are still not in the outlet heavy but we did manage to catch 11 skips. Mac caught 10, I caught 1 :sad2: :sad2: I did manage to catch two nice stripers! :smile2: :smile2: The stripers are coming in to the outlet may-be the skip will not be far behind.

[Shep]

Great to talk to u verlonlooking forward to meeting you

[1 cattin dude]

Hey Top, or anyone who might know, is there any place that can let us who would have to drive forever, know if the plant is generating power? I guess I'm like some of these other guys that don't want to drive for hours for nothing. I also fit in the category of those who have never caught a skipjack:embarassed: . I want to in the worst way. I thought if they start biting over that way, I might make the drive and get my first ones!:smile2:

[Big Sam]

Hey cattin no skips yet hold off on that drive..they should however be arriving shortly:tounge_out:

[1 cattin dude]

Thanks Big Sam. I guess I'll sit tight until I hear the news.

[TOPS]

I will keep you post by Pm only. In the Past the locals have monitored the post and have receive the info that was distributed to the member. we would go to the outlet and could not get a place to fish because the locals had the area fill. Heck, you would not have a place to park your truck and boat trailer.

[1 cattin dude]

Thanks Top I appreciate it! Look forward to hearing from you.

[TOPS]

Skips still slow, We only caught 9. The ones that we did catch were big skips. I will keep you posted!