Blackfish and Striper Jigging with Underwater View!

Blackfish (Tautog) and Striped Bass fed heavily on this jig fishing trip. Underwater video recorded beneath the boat revealed many more fish of multiple species than expected!
---------Gear and Stuff------
Online Fishing Course Discounts - www.saltstrong.com/skinner/
White Rod: bit.ly/2OVUgbT
Striper Rod: amzn.to/2IoEyVp
Blackfish Reel: bit.ly/2ICzn37
Striper Reel (New Version): bit.ly/33RiCur
Line: bit.ly/2XIOIlQ
Blackfish Jig: bit.ly/2jP1VYF
Bass Lure - bit.ly/3iRqOz3
Bucktail Strip Trailer - bit.ly/2A4uk6t
Rubber Landing Net (Large) - amzn.to/2SN8pbZ
Gold Ruler: amzn.to/2Ngzql0
Blackfish Leader: bit.ly/2EcadoD
Underwater Video Camera (Similar): amzn.to/2ToMybx
Video Camera: amzn.to/33z92t8
Still Camera: amzn.to/2ppeYpy
John Skinner Bucktail Book: amzn.to/2MQDysM
The above are affiliate links.
Fishfinder: bit.ly/2N2SvqP
Trolling Motor: bit.ly/2VS9C2r
Fishfinder Coastmaster Chart - bit.ly/34KEcQo

[@brianfitzpatrick8448]

I love the way your fishing boat looks nothing fancy just a boat to fish from

[@Peter-zg3em]

underwater footage is unreal. never expected that kind of biomass in such cold water but the video doesn't lie. must be on some structure nearby.

[@bobcalifornia9622]

Love seeing so much life in the sound. Great underwater views. Thanks John.

[@danm3340]

That's practically Rhode island. Sound is dead.

[@danm3340]

@Antonio Rodriguez fish anywhere from exit 73 on LI eastward to Cape Cod and you will catch fish.

[@markcarson1844]

Great content John, thank you!

[@smokster0604]

Fish on..... the under water footage is first class

[@FMorgigno1]

Way to put on a clinic John. Great work. Bring some of that luck this weekend! Looking forward to it.

[@craig1lengyel]

Great underwater camera video!! Cool how the fish look at the camera seeing if its food or not.

[@7citiesfishing]

Epic video and some sick shots!

[@streetscapes]

Great video as always John. Had my surf bag stolen with almost all of the tackle I've accumulated over the years this past weekend so tough for me to want to watch fishing videos but yours are always so entertaining. Thanks!

[@stevedelibero]

I Like that you show what's going on under water. Keep up the great work. Keep the rods bent, 😁 happy n safe fishing 🎣

[@tincanforacup2745]

Man that looks so fun

[@mikeknottscreek8183]

Nice video, always liked how you go out in your boat alone. Looking forward to the underwater camera video.

[@JV-dj9in]

Best fishing KZbinr in the north east

[@rdavis1929]

Great Video!! Thanks

[@Delmarvafishing]

Great footage, so far there we haven't caught a lot of keepers yet this year down here

[@duainenye3599]

Thanks for the video

[@JacobE-23]

Still working on my first keeper blackfish, but got my first keeper Sea Bass over the weekend and man was it delicious!

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Your under water videos are phenomenal. I'm going to attempt it down here in the Chesapeake Bay although not sure how much I will be able to see with our water clarity. It would be cool if you could do a split screen where you show the under water video on one side (where the fish is nibbling on the jig) and marry up on the other screen where you show the action on your rod from what the fish is actually doing. Always learning a bunch from your vids, thank you.

[@MilesAwayFishing]

I learn so much from each video. Thanks for all the great info and details John! #MilesAwayFishing

[@JerseyMike6O9]

The Slimwave is my Favorite Rod I really home they come out with more options for that blank!

[@patrickriddlem9130]

Excellent channel

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thank you very much!

[@moneymike5742]

Take me fishing with you bro you are the man on the water

[@slimpickins9124]

Although I Fish the Tampa area in the surf & sometimes on a party boat I really enjoy your bottom videos as the fish behavior is really fascinating. thanks

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Hope you're doing OK with the storm.

[@slimpickins9124]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Ya, so far so good. Highest wind has been 55mph.

[@AC-STiGZ]

Nice boat

[@trwas]

More kayak fishing videos please!

[@keng3667]

Waiting for the stripers to get down to LBI, NJ - -seems a little late this year. Great video!

[@jamesps7515]

Move up the beach to long branch. People are killing it. We got 10 this morning 2 keepers

[@timriley2092]

I love your videos and I don’t mean this to sound insulting I just pictured you having this really nice new boat …. Lol

[@tracynshea1333]

John, green crab as well as sand fleas urinate and need to have the water flushing through to get the waste out, I learned that the hard way here in Wildwood crest, it will also kill them if they don’t have water flushing the bucket

[@scottmaccaferri]

You should get an arc dehooker. Especially if your doing C&R. Dehooker works awesome .

[@yuriy4741]

Learn something new with every video! Thank you John!! Question, for kayak fishing, would you recommend the M or MH for the White Rod that you were using?

[@Patrick-ni7bs]

This weekend to going to go fishing for blackfish On Long Beach Island NJ

[@mikev6999]

John I'm glad I read the comments, I was looking to get a new Blackfish rod (the one you recommend has been sold out for awhile) but if you are going to bring out a Skinner Blackfish rod I will wait on the purchase. Can you please give us an ETA approximately Thanks Mike

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's a fluke rod, not blackfish. ETA spring

[@freeandeasyaaron1758]

Nice video john . I was there on last Wednesday from the shore there was even no any bite . Is that because the storm was there couple days before ? I got no reason 😞

[@searobinn]

I bought a evict in July and I’m pretty sure the gears went after two stingrays that weren’t meant to be caught

[@johnpacheco2501]

Hey John after the underwater footage I seen that you switched over to a new fishing rod can you please give me the specs on that rod and the reel. Great video for sure

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The gear links are in the video description.

[@RayA-rt6tp]

Another great video John. Thank You. Do you ever use a tactical anglers clip when fishing Striper Bucktails or Blackfish Jigs?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Always and never. Always on the bass, never on the blacks.

[@RayA-rt6tp]

Thanks for the response John.

[@michaelmercer6960]

Always enjoy your videos and books. I take a lot of still pictures of fish. Not too much video. Of your still camera and go pro, which do you prefer for close up pictures of fish. Etc.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Definitely the still camera.

[@michaelmercer6960]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing the one you have on your uTube link .. or a different one. Thank you do much for replying

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

@@michaelmercer6960 It's the Olympus TG (Tough Guard). Mine's an older TG4.

[@carlosamaral7356]

Hey john. Great videos you always post. I have always learned something from you. As far as snap jigging as capt paduano does..what would you recommend for a rod for that snap technique?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

A 6-footer that does not have a soft tip. I really don't have a specific model. When I snap jigged for this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGmpl3iui9Roo6c , I resurrected an old 6-footer that was originally longer, but its tip section broke off. I bought it for $5 in a department store and have caught a ton of fish on it over the years.

[@ATC235]

Does the rock stay in the frame on the fish finder. Thanks

[@carlosamaral7356]

Hey john. Great video again. I am in nj and always watch your long island fishing vids and have learned a ton from you.. What size penn slammeriii are you using and also rod do you suggest to pair with it for surf action? Thanks

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That's a Penn Clash 4000. It matches well with an 7- to 8.5-footer on the beach. Here's a good suggestion - bit.ly/2nTWbSX

[@landolfr]

Have you ever used the trolling motor to get on the schools quietly, or never really have had to? I guess from the hookup ratio that wasn't really necessary this day! Good stuff as always.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It wouldn't have worked well in this situation because the boat moves between schools was farther than I would want to do with the trolling motor.

[@Lcurcio_outdoors]

I live on Long Island but I only catch little blackfish and only like 2 porgys every time I go sometimes I catch nothing not even a bite

[@Eoghanbass2000]

Cool vid. Would flounder feed on those smaller fish darting about? Surprising amount of life.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Flounder (Fluke) will definitely hit those, and anything else swimming around.

[@rtorres3442]

Great footage John thanks for taking the time for it. I know there's been much debate about it but I'll ask anyway. Do you vary leader length and lb test depending on when fishing a real sticky piece that's known to hold bigger fish? Been shaved off numerous times and I know heavy mono may fare better than braid when comparing the two. Would like your thoughts. Thanks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I don't alter the leader length. I try to keep it at around 4 feet.

[@rtorres3442]

I see. I'm sure you've mentioned it but what lb rating you tend to go with for the barrel swivel?

[@rtorres3442]

Found it, thanks.

[@james-emeryelkin182]

John, do you ever use a conventional set up for blackfishing in these conditions? I've seen your fluking set up in other videos, and I'm torn on what to pair with a conventional 6'6 MHMF st croix jigging rod that I would use primarily in the same waters you fish. Nothing too deep, in other words, so don't think I need the line capacity. I'm new to saltwater bottom fishing. And what # test are you using here for blackfish? Thank you for all the great content.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I do not jig blackfish with conventional gear. FWIW, everyone I fish with also uses spinning for this. I use 15# line for blackfish.

[@bobbyburke121]

John I Know your boat is a 1974 but whats the length 16ft-17ft-18ft ?? Its one of the things I love about your videos is your boat and all the gear you use is all reasonably priced that anyone on an budget can afford and your boat isn't a $20-50 thousand boat and its something your could tow behind a car you don"t need a big truck and your out killing it showing everyone just get out and fish and enjoy life. Thanks for the great videos and all of the Great tips the underwater videos are great, you can lean so much form them. Could you do a video on how you set up the camera rig I'd be interested in trying it for myself. Thanks again....

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The boat is a 1974 Starcraft Holiday converted to a CC. The boat/motor/trailer package was bought off Craig's List for $3500 a few years ago. Next summer I'll work on the floor and the leaks. I appreciate the kind words.

[@SneakersAnonymousMatt]

yea I burned my fingers to messing the those green crabs but I had alittle bit of water in bucket an still burned my hands I think it also has to do with those pointy sharp points on edge of crab prick ur finger an over time sorta make skin feel raw an then whatever acidic stuff they left off goes on those small scratches that shell causes when holding them an cutting them

[@cobrasrock]

An observation that I have been making is that blackfish require moving water. Have you experienced the same thing?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes, I've seen the same thing.

[@BoBandyy]

@John Skinner Fishing, how is that Tsunami Evict? I'm thinking about getting one for a kayak and boat reel but worried about that plastic piece covering the main gear on the bottom.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use my 2000 in Florida and up here and they've been great.

[@anthonygregorio2208]

Hi John. This question has nothing to do with this video. I was wondering if you remember the length of the tube and worm from t-man tackle you used for trolling in your video a ways back. Was it the 15” or 24”? My buddy and I are trolling off his kayak and would like to try them.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use both, but prefer the longer one.

[@ericf1843]

What is it about a spinning rod that you prefer it to conventional setups for blackfishing? Thanks for all the help. Just purchased the flipping switch quantum reel through j&h for fluking because of your videos.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'll answer the other way. When drifting for fluke you have to keep dropping line to stay near the bottom, so the thumb bar reel is ideal. With this fishing you're anchored at a stationary depth and once you hit bottom, you're all set. Also, I feel like I can move a fish away from structure much quicker on the hookset with spinning. FWIW, everyone I've ever fished with uses spinning for blackfish jigging, so it's not just me.

[@harrisgraves592]

Where'd ya get that boat?

[@paulfennell01]

Hello again John! I asked about the fishfinder your using in a prior video and you said it was a humminbird helix. I was looking into them and they seem to be 400$ for a helix 7 and 1300$ for a helix 10.. What's the difference between the two units? My budget allows for around 400, is the helix 7 going to do the task to find the structure and mark my spots? Thank you for your time.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The 7 is fine. Side scan is nice, but adds cost.

[@Johnsack-l8k]

Are you heading to Florida this winter

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes.

[@Fluke17]

What line and leader are you using for the top water bass action

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

20 braid, 50 leader

[@napkinthief4322]

please can you share which scissors those are? i seem to have to buy new ones every few trips, they just dont cut after a few

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I have no idea. I found them on the beach.

[@neild2098]

John, will we ever see a version of a Skinner Blackfish and/or Skinner Fluke rod available? I have about 5 or 6 people on my xmas list that would love something like this. Also, wonder if with your manufacturing contacts you have any feel for when Tsunami goods will be making their way back to store shelves. Pickings are pretty slim, and I know pandemic and trade wars are working against us, but hopeful some railcars might be on their way on a tanker somewhere. Thks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes to the first question, but not in time for xmas. Not sure on when Tsunami will restock. So much stuff is cleaned out.

[@joecaramico8705]

Hey John, what Hummingbird fish finder do you have? I've been researching for something reasonable that works well.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

There's a link in the video description. Helix 10 with side scan.

[@raythomas]

If price was not an factor, what is the best blackfish rod in your opinion?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That's it. The one I'm using.

[@Fluke17]

Is it ok to go with a tsunami evict reel when using a Tsunami Carbon Shield II rod for top water striper fishing? Or do you want to use that penn reel? If so which evict model would be preferred. Thanks

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Definitely. The 2000 is what I've been using, but the 3000 would be a good choice too.

[@Fluke17]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks John that penn real is expensive! The Rod is on back order!

[@Fluke17]

For the striper Rod do you want a medium heavy or medium?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

MH

[@ernestovarela3416]

Hi John! When you were casting the bucktail did you start the retrieve as soon as it hit the water or did you let it sink for a few seconds? Part 2: What made you decide to use the bucktail and not something else?

[@ernestovarela3416]

Why did you pick the 6ft and not the 7ft on the slim wave?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I let it sink a few seconds. The bucktail will work at least as well as anything else in this situation, and the one single hook makes for easy releasing. The 6'4'' slimwave is the one with the right action for this.

[@ernestovarela3416]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing do you have a KZbin video on how to select the right action for your rod, or how to go about determining how to pick your set ups?

[@crackerbaitnmarine6867]

What kind of under water cameras did you use Get vids I also travel from Maryland to southwest Florida I got a place in Saint James City . In the gulf we use a two speed real to get those fish up

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's an old water wolf camera. I'm in Cherry Estates.

[@crackerbaitnmarine6867]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I see you love it too I’m on York rd right before Dewberry I love it down here. If you go over to Punta Blanca bay and use live bait you can catch snook Snappers. And sawfish over there .

[@nedbaldwin4058]

Hey John! Long time listener, first time caller. I've got a question for you that me and a couple buddies have been scratching our heads about. Why are the bass eating those tiny baitfish when there are so many bunker around? Seems like they'd get more bang for the buck so to speak eating one fat bunker rather than chasing an equivalent weight in hundreds of 1/4 ounce fish. Thanks and keep the videos comin!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Great question. The bass were just schoolies and maybe don't do well trying to chase down and eat adult bunker?

[@travisvanorman7331]

What knot do you like main to leader?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I go through a barrel swivel. Palomar on the braid, clinch on the leader.

[@daviddelgado323]

Hi John, is that an Xi3 or Xi5 trolling motor? how do you like it - it it performing?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's a Minkota Terrova 80#.

[@iMrCoolGuy629]

Hi John what size is your center console?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

16'

[@crisp6186]

Is this on the Long Island sound

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

As I said in the narration - eastern LIS.

[@blindabinda1234]

Are tog or sea bass up in New Hampshire waters?

[@amos61905]

The furthest north you’ll find tog is around Boston.

[@08laamaj]

How long does it usually take for you to find the rock? If you were looking for structure besides the rock what would you say to look for?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The rock is on my plotter, so it's pretty instant. You can just look for rough bottom structure or boulders. The areas I blackfish are loaded with rocks.

[@briancheshire8958]

In the second underwater view, the bottom looked pretty flat. I was expecting large rocks.

[@christopherball9227]

Could you see the stripers breaking the surface via binos, or did you just see birds feeding on the bait?

[@christopherball9227]

Also, are you swimming the bucktail on the surface or deeper? Hard to see retrieve speed.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

There were birds and fish breaking. I swam the bucktail under the schools with a mostly moderate retrieve speed.

[@gregoryguitars6291]

Do you feel like the blackfish stocks have greatly increased in the past decade? I seem to remember them being few and far betweenish for a while.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I can't speak for the waters I'm fishing now. I've only been on them 4 seasons. Prior to that I had decades on waters about 30 miles west. I know that fishery has declined seriously from what it was. One thing for sure, the size is lacking. There's not much over 7 pounds.

[@wurzelle1999]

Are those crabs alive when you cut them up?

[@robertneff5500]

hey John I am from long island (south shore) and you are the first person that used the word Bagall if I am spelling it right. do you no of any other names or the species of fish they are. I was always thought and only called them Bagalls and no one knows what I am talking about.. Great video's love your channel..

[@jiggingjerks]

Robert - very common fish to catch on the North Fork. It’s “bergall” - bigger ones are actually good eating. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cunner

[@jamesps7515]

@@jiggingjerks they’re pesky little bastards 😂

[@jiggingjerks]

@@jamesps7515 that they are. I got some big ones on an offshore wreck trip in February a few years back and Captain insisted I try them and they were actually really, REALLY good. The small ones we catch togging don’t have enough meat to make them worth keeping though...

[@jamesps7515]

@@jiggingjerks yea the ones we were catching on Sunday were really tiny. I would love to hook up a big one and try it out. If you happen to get another nice size one id love to see a catch and cook! Tight lines!

[@matthewfish3306]

Hey John, I’m looking into getting a new rod for stripers/fluke for my buddy. Should I get him a 7’6 medium heavy carbon shield or a 7’ medium tide master ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

boat, surf, or kayak?

[@matthewfish3306]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing both surf and boat fishing and in like 10-80 ft

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Definitely the 7’6 medium heavy carbon shield

[@matthewfish3306]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing alright thank you!

[@alberte854]

@@matthewfish3306 Hey John, any reels to go with it? looking to spend around $100-$200

[@striperfishing408]

Sounds so much like Howard Stern

[@patrickriddlem9130]

New Sub here. What city/state do you mainly fish?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I fish out of eastern Long Island, NY May->November, SW Florida November->May. Welcome aboard!

[@ecr125x]

ammonia is what the crabs release

[@ysoutdoorgaming3367]

its benn pretty hot in ri so that atreactied the pogies to come in come to shore

[@carlitos8429]

Porgies. Pogies are búnker I believe

[@ysoutdoorgaming3367]

@@carlitos8429 yeh iv been snagging them then droping them back down how some.bluea and stripers

[@dieseldick1264]

John ,we would like to send are pics & stories,to show you . That you have changed a lot of anglers lives when we use your techniques. Maybe dedicate a episode to your loyal subs , who would like to show off & tell how you’ve turned a lot of us into tournament winning fish heads. (From NY to Pine Island). Give us a contact we could use to send are appreciation to you. Just a thought

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

info at striper pursuit dot com

[@Danny-iu2wz]

did anyone hear the whales, this is a great video though.

[@ddolbaenim]

Hi. What kind boat is it?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

1974 16' Starcraft

[@leeseoWestport]

I wonder who thinks this video isn’t a thumbs up...weird.

[@kensleylin]

1st!

[@Patrick-ni7bs]

My guy that's great!! But no one asked

[@Simplicity165]

Maybe pour some water into that bucket of crabs to dilute the issue..? Just sayin'..

[@dogsense3773]

Your boat needs a lot of work

[@treya4872]

It floats and fishes. looks good to me

[@dogsense3773]

Looks good if you are from Oklahoma