re: anyone here ever caught a skunk, tips needed

How close do you live to a body of water. A mink is much more likely to remove just the head of its prey than a skunk.
As far as killing a skunk, it all depends on what type of area/neighborhood you live in.

Look for these type of places as skunk habitat in urban areas: a rundown building, a pile of trash, a building with a bottom floor that has outside access, an isolated brusy area, or a culvert that is isolated that doesnt normally get water in it.

As far as bait, think about using freshly sifted dirt, and a commercial lure that has a lot of skunk essence.