Big Beach Fish on New Topwater Lure!

This new fishing lure was a long time in the making and has caught a lot of fish of several species for me this season. Its effectiveness is proven on this trip as a large bass is going to eat it in bright sunlight with clear and calm water. These are the most challenging of conditions for fish that prefer to feed in low light and darkness.
---------Gear and Stuff------
Online Fishing Course Discounts - www.saltstrong.com/skinner
John Skinner Surf Rod - bit.ly/3lqoIss
Reel - bit.ly/2NODN8L
Savage Gear Pencil Lure - amzn.to/39ye8KW
Dark Matter Pencil - bit.ly/3lt4LRE
Line (40#) - amzn.to/3B2hRw0
Leader (50#) - bit.ly/2Vowqq9
Pliers - amzn.to/3Dfurdi
Surf Bag - bit.ly/2IGGuau
Belt Plier Holder: bit.ly/2n3g0Xa
Belt Boga Carrier: bit.ly/2mx4vXZ
Boga Grip: bit.ly/2PN4ltr
Surf Belt: amzn.to/310g2hJ
Wading Shoes: bit.ly/2YPwpyx
Spiked Felt Korker Sole: amzn.to/2YMEy9L
Tennis Elbow Arm Band: amzn.to/3u9RBh7
David Dunleavy Performance Fishing Apparel - lddy.no/ykp8
John Skinner Striper Pursuit Book - amzn.to/3ceIQYp
The above are affiliate links.

[@andynonymous2164]

Next level stuff Mr. skinner. You are a master angler. That Bluefish thing. I mean.... Sheesh. Just next level.

[@danmidgette484]

I'm amazed once again by your experience and skills. I've never intentionally lost a fish but will remember this one for when I do. Tight lines.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Great video once again, I'm amazed how much I actually learn by just reading all the comments and your responses to them. I actually enjoy watching your video now a week later to glean even more from your responses. Thanks!

[@Janotes]

I'm glad you crush the barbs. I've been doing that for years. I also actively look to remove trebles if possible and replace with single style replacement hooks. I'm surprised tackle manufacturers havent looked to redesign lures To make them more "Fish Friendly" I know many reading that will think it's a bizarre statement but if we are Going to preach catch and release it should be as less stressful to the fish as possible.

[@N2theBlue1]

Williamson (owned by rapala) sells their offshore poppers with single hooks and rapala sells some of theirs with single hooks stock as well

[@noggginn]

Single inline hooks are also more "hand" friendly too. I have hooked myself in the hands past the barb a few times when I did not have pliers nearby. Espically smaller fish you can muscle in and are still green then freak out while you try to unhook them.

[@irlnd32]

Been doing that for 20 years

[@joedennehy386]

Rapala have, bkk nomad have.

[@markcarson1844]

Great show John, thank you.

[@iangreenberg5101]

This is art. Great great video John. Wow

[@matthewfeldman9161]

Thanks for setting a good example of C&R, John. Happy fall and tight lines.

[@TheTackleRoom]

Another Great Video, John.

[@georgeupton368]

Those fish fought real hard to get away,you treated them well to live another day bravo.

[@usobninja14]

Freakin sweet vid mr skinner, what a great trick preformed by a master of his craft, I think the bass follow the blues like that waiting for chunks of the bunker or whatever that blue is chewing on to fall for an easy meal and that’s why they pick it up after it’s dropped so commonly, tight lines and enjoy my friend

[@dominickdigesaro5152]

What an absolute legend move with that cocktail blue

[@stephenlastig3955]

You are the Man John!!! Tight lines!!!

[@fishermansmobileweighstati3645]

My fav vids. Nice to see some action off the surf.

[@eduardoadventures]

Thank you Mr Skinner .

[@dutoiterasmus1513]

Thank you Mr Skinner

[@joedennehy386]

Masterful angler, and what fantastic fish variety you enjoy in your country. I know you move around but wow. Thanks so much for posting

[@gregdorey3394]

Calling your shot. Nice. Off the blue, to the stripes, bingo bongo, nice fish!

[@rayfrosti7849]

I applaud your trying to be as humane as possible to the fish. All fishing channels should be teaching this.

[@damnjustassignmeone]

Great video. Love the surf fishing.

[@markbass354]

LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF FUN

[@fishingbuddyph8786]

Wow, John, that was an awesome trick! 👌 I'm going to have to give it a try one of these days. The problem I have is that I have not seen any blues of any size up here in Maine in many years. Also, I think that crushing the barb is a good practice, especially if you are not going to keep your catch. Thanks for another great and entertaining video! I will definitely look into your new pencil popper. 😉👍

[@popsfishing]

Wow first time I've seen that one😳 call it like a fish trade technique 😎

[@juandirection2469]

🤯 never ceases to amaze

[@dashriprock5720]

I have been killing lately by fishing vicariously through John Skinner.

[@egffishing3401]

Great video!

[@Graphics21]

Great video and awesome techinque🤩 Now I believe the reason why this trick works, is because the striper will see the blue lose its bait which now is presented as an injured fish making it a easy catch for the striper. For example, I have lost bass that have eaten a bluegill only to have a peacock come and scoop it right after. Now I am no expert by any means 😂 just my theory and experince. Tight lines and great fishing as always.

[@BrassHammer]

The infamous Skinner retrieve! You take fishing psychology to outwit unsuspecting stripers 🐟 !

[@shawnboisclair3696]

Nice video, got to get out this weekend.

[@spectacxx613]

Makes me wanna go fishing today 🏃‍♂️💨

[@bd_jiggin]

Nice stripers caught Skinner!

[@KCsniper79]

Awesome video John, that was a hell of a 30# striper, as for the lure I have to grab one, I’ve been doin good with the yellow dark matter pencil popper, I’ll definitely try that new tsunami pencil in the bone, and I’ll have to see if that blue fish trick works here in the Mass an RI area

[@vipergeddy]

Great vid bro I'm going to get those 2 pencil going to take your word

[@andepenn71]

Love poppers....need to use them more often to experience the surface strike!

[@hhprogressiveconstruction1140]

That was a crazy shark catch .

[@gabifishing642]

I was very impressed with the video well done, I subscribed to your channel.

[@gennerobootz6490]

Omg I can’t wait for black fish season

[@heyreddin2.0s10]

Respect, I too go barbless!

[@sstepanian1]

Artist

[@philtarbox8256]

Those were some damn nice stripers John... would like to catch one of those on topwater like you do one of these days

[@williamfris3835]

Gave you a run for your money. Nice release of a nice fish.

[@smokster0604]

Always entertaining Fish on.....

[@brianjones866]

The hook the blue fish lose the blue fish technique is awesome you learn something new every day keep the good videos rolling 🎣

[@bcask61]

That is next level shit right there.

[@Brizzleeeification]

John I mainly use pencil popper on my boat in the back bays. I have been doing well with a smaller rod 6’6 but it’s not a good rod for pencil popping. Can you recommend a smaller rod for pencil popping 6-8 feet for a boat?

[@zach6383]

JOHN SKINNER THE GOAT

[@theeefisherman]

Bought the dark matter plug after taking your class, got 9 bass on it yesterday including one slot! Thanks for all the info and experience!

[@timdicicco3737]

What color did you buy?

[@theeefisherman]

@@timdicicco3737 yellow and silver, mid size one since I fish in a yak

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing that.

[@timdicicco6522]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Mr Skinner, I am looking for a surf fishing guide. (Bucket list item, catch a striper from the surf in NY.) Do you have any recommendations?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

@@timdicicco6522 Look up Bill Wetzel and tell him I said Hi. He'll put you on the fsh.

[@vsonic86]

Haven't seen John's channel for a long time. He always got a new toys to play with all the time.

[@The93ssfd]

Hey k d, I think we should start fishing Long Island area!!

[@eneco1767]

Dear John, I am an unexperienced fisherman and recently I was able to catch 25kg amberjack and tuna, only I have doubts about my equipment. What is the ideal length of fishing rod for fishing from shore and what weight class? Thanks in advance!

[@bernardescobar6952]

Can I use that in pier fishing?

[@obsidianzarok2361]

John you need to try the Xorus Patchinko 140mm and 165mm

[@thelinecook]

You are a striped bass wizard John!!. That bluefish trick was amazing! Great video. I love to see you out on the surf. I’m wondering how fast your retrieve is with that popper. Thank you!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Maybe you can see the retrieve speed from how long it takes the plug to move. It's slow to moderate. I'll try to include in next video.

[@thelinecook]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Thank you so much for the response I really appreciate it. I really enjoy your videos. They motivate me to get out there and Pursue stripers! Nothing like a topwater strike!

[@robertyacoub9705]

Hey John another great video. If you had to pick a two week period to fish the eastern north shore in fall what would it be? Trying to plan a couple of days trip out there but my time is limited and it’s a hike for me.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

October 20 - Nov 4

[@MiguelGarcia-lm9gv]

Where was this? I’m familiar with the Long Island sound spots but I never been here.

[@dominiclewis7571]

Hey John I always want to know where you go I go breezy point I don’t get nothing like You catch

[@adr1an-_-386]

Nice

[@fixitkev1966]

Great video. I guess when you have your skill and experience you can purposely lose a fish to get a better one. Great job. What is the water depth range in that area?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

13 feet at the deepest.

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

I love the bone ! Johnny do you use the red and white cordell sometime’s when you’re not nailing them with the dark matters ? the bone I love - like the yellow and white dark matter…

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not anymore.

[@samfick1867]

What do you recommend for fishing in the sound in the fall around this time? Love the videos have helped me alot

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Bucktails and poppers. Deadly Dicks if the albies decide to show.

[@cornpop4730]

I'm struggling to understand when I should be throwing a topwater lure vs bucktail vs mid-water-column type lures. Any help would be greatly appreciated from John or the community.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

In calm and clear water, like in this video, I use a pencil popper because it's a difficult thing for fish to get a good look at as it thrashes the surface. It never hurts to try a bucktail though.

[@AlanA-gu9nz]

Very nice I want this experience one day

[@LongIslandLethals]

Nice fish John, very cool trick. I was casting from a dock this weekend in Florida and had some really good luck. I plan on getting some more time in at the surf being back home. Great video 🎣

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Florida in 2 months...

[@LongIslandLethals]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing have you used the mullet 3DS minnow from Yo-zuri? It's really good.

[@TheAndyoesq]

great video, in your topwater videos the water seems to be relatively calm, do you find them as effective in surf casting when there is moderate - significant waves?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No problem in rough water. They excel in white water around bars.

[@TheAndyoesq]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thank you so much, and thanks for all your videos and books

[@gregzis981]

Great video. John I was fluke fishing next to you this past Monday just curious how you guys did and if your going to make a video of that day ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It was our worst trip of the season.

[@gregzis981]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing we got 4 keepers we bounced all over

[@Redcrown48]

I've seen bass following hooked bluefish, i thought they were waiting for the bluefish to up chuck I've also used bluefish like bunker.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Exactly!

[@blizzington4528]

John I love your videos man but you make me jealous as hell with every video. Because I use some of your tactics but never catch fish like you do lol

[@Fluke17]

Awesome! Is this fall striper fishing? Are you on the sound?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes and yes

[@fernandocruz-eb1sy]

I’m ready for a dark matter John skinner t shirt or hat.

[@THERE4LGOAT]

We need a "who put ya on the fish John" shirt for sure

[@fernandocruz-eb1sy]

John “shit yeah!” Skinner

[@patrickvincent1386]

John just subscribed, going to North Carolina Topsail. Where can I pick some of these lures up.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

There are links in the video description.

[@normy2410]

Quick question, what tide were you fishing and I might have missed it but was that dawn or dusk? thanks and awesome vid!

[@normy2410]

Actually I see it's dusk. Shoulda just waited til the end of the vid. What tide do you like to fish on the N Shore? Thanks!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's totally spot-dependent.

[@syi2049]

saltx holding up good in 2021? looking into getting one is it worth the money?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes. Third full season with it.

[@jeffreypetersen6149]

Using the bone alot 😉

[@SC-hc7vy]

How do u cast the lure that far out?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That rod is about 25 years in the making.

[@lawtonfishing6434]

Every fish you've ever caught, John Skinner already caught it...twice

[@josephstreet3407]

You are the Striper swiper...

[@dougblack7411]

Here's your fishing challenge when you get to Florida.. take those pencil poppers and catch a snook.. back in the 90s me and a guy tried them sporadically with no love.. not even a hit.. would love to see you get one it it!!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I bet the smallest Dark Matter would do it. I still have so much to learn there I'm not deviating too much from the standards.

[@dougblack7411]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing you catch on quick from what I've seen.. not sure .. I think you'd have to slow it down and walk it.. tge ones we used where too big looking back in hindsight. Lol.. I think we scared them off more than anything..

[@mrlarry999]

How fast are you reeling while twitching the rod tip?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Slow to moderate. I'll include it next video. You should get an idea by how the plug comes back.

[@mrlarry999]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I can never see the plug coming back because a fish always grabs it before it gets close to the camera!

[@slmslmlol]

What is the site besides Amazon I can get those lures? Amazon doesn't have the bone color..

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not sure at this point. Savage Gear's main site is out of that color too. Try one of the metallic colors. Those are good too.

[@slmslmlol]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thank you for the response. What size lure do you recommend for stripes in NJ. 5 inches vs 6 plus?

[@edwinrivera6896]

Idk, the heavy super strikes definitely have there place, especially on those really windy days.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yep, those are great plugs.

[@patrickvincent1386]

Will this work in the surf

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Definitely.

[@BassSwirls]

I've shadow cast a friend....picking up fish following his.

[@zach6383]

Ahah she said get your hands off me I don’t need any revival

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That did surprise me.

[@nicolaslebrun9455]

Is this in the sound?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes.

[@nealcohen7909]

Can you use a tactical clip clip with this?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use a 75# TA clip, and remove the nose split ring that comes with the plug.

[@nealcohen7909]

Thanks John, Sorry for asking this, but I'm new to surf fishing (30 years bait fishing off boats). Where on the lure is the TA connected? It looks like the line is attached to the back of the lure. Studying your videos hard and trying to learn....Thanks!

[@nealcohen7909]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Neal Cohen 1 hour ago Thanks John, Sorry for asking this, but I'm new to surf fishing (30 years bait fishing off boats). Where on the lure is the TA connected? It looks like the line is attached to the back of the lure. Studying your videos hard and trying to learn....Thanks!

[@OfficialJTaylor]

Recent trip John?!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes.

[@user-jj3tw1sr7o]

I’m curious to why you don’t ever keep any slot Stripers? I’ve seen you keep Fluke in your videos. It seems they are fairly abundant where you are and in my opinion much tastier than Fluke.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I greatly prefer fluke, which I feel are in much better supply than stripers.

[@woofielove1970]

Great video, nice spot. Can I ask where this general area is? If it's not good etiquette to ask then don't bother responding, just wondering

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

LI, North Shore.

[@woofielove1970]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing too far for me, but thank you! Looks beautiful. Thank you for a lifetime's knowledge of fishing and awesome videos. Fish on!

[@roberta.k4213]

Thanks for the tip,,, tennis elbow ???

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes. I should put a link to that in the video description. Been wearing it since the 2014 sandeel run.

[@roberta.k4213]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I was diagnosed with it a month ago,, in physical therapy now,,, it’s painful,,, puts a damper on my fishing

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That thing I'm wearing is called a "band-it". It works!

[@openstenosis]

There I was enjoying the stripers coming in & all of a sudden I’m like oh…what kind of tennis elbow brace does JS have there! Just using a light weight rod yesterday was killing me! Thanks for all the great vids John!

[@roberta.k4213]

@@openstenosis a few months back I’m fly fishing and just like you said, all of a sudden I couldn’t lift the rod anymore or a cup of coffee the next morning,,, And it’s still killing me

[@nhlombardi6946]

If everyone released theirs like that imagine the fishery we’d have..

[@tolpacourt]

Imagine if there was no commercial striped bass fishery for just five years.

[@sammyvh11]

@@tolpacourt The best fishing of my life was after the moratorium in the 80s. I'd say they work!

[@nikc24777]

Salt x?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

saltx 6K

[@thomaskrug7206]

Like all you tubers John has become a sales man

[@voxmansilungan9020]

John Skinner has always been doing videos highlighting different gear that he endorses. Why wouldn’t he showcase gear that he had a hand in it’s design?

[@tomhath8413]

Nothing is free.

[@damnjustassignmeone]

John helps design the gear. I bought his surf rod bc my fishing style is similar (or so I can hope). I absolutely love that rod. Great value for money in my opinion. His line of bucktails (made by S&S Bucktails) are also extremely good. Well designed and very well made. Anyhow, I feel like John is honest when he’s using something he had a hand in designing.

[@damnjustassignmeone]

Also, think about how much free content John puts out & how much people learn from it. I don’t think it’s at all unfair that John makes a buck or two off it. Especially if he’s putting out great gear.

[@Zone6Zander]

Why don’t you remove the back treble hook? No point to it.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I do a lot of this kind of fishing. Many bass are on the tail hook.

[@samlove933]

I support everything you do but this is a little suss

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I don't understand your comment.

[@samlove933]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing suss=suspect

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I know that (had to google it), but still don't understand what is suspect.

[@samlove933]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing make a floating v

[@aramis7286]

Don't you shame a bit of yourself still using bloody trebles instead of singles?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No. I've given numerous singles a chance with too many missed and lost fish and degraded plug action. I stick with the trebles and crush the barbs. Watch again and see how well the fish are treated.

[@aramis7286]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Weird, I have totally opposite experiences using singles, in every type of lures!