Bucktails and Crab Jigs Load The Fish Cooler!

An exceptional jig fishing trip that saw limits of multiple species. Snap jigging bucktails in rips followed excellent action on crab-tipped jigs. These are great techniques for putting good eating fish in the cooler. Choosing the correct portions of the tide is key for a multi-species trip like this to work out. This trip shows targeting both slow and faster moving water.
---------Gear and Stuff------
Online Fishing Course Discounts - www.saltstrong.com/skinner/
Sea Bass Ball Bucktail (1-ounce): bit.ly/3uYRvJx
Blackfish Jig (3/4-1.5 ounce): bit.ly/2jP1VYF
White Rod: bit.ly/2OVUgbT
Blackfish Reel: bit.ly/2ICzn37
Line (10#, 15# (blackfish)): bit.ly/2FowzDe
Blackfish Leader (30#): bit.ly/2EcadoD
Crab Scissors: amzn.to/3mezILL
Underwater Drone: amzn.to/3n4APwX
John Skinner Bucktail Book: amzn.to/2MQDysM
Fishfinder: bit.ly/3oP8MEi
Trolling Motor: bit.ly/2VS9C2r
Fishfinder Coastmaster Chart - bit.ly/34KEcQo
The above are affiliate links.

[@gordonshaffer5560]

John, I'm an ex Long Islander and life long fisherman. My dad taught me how to fish on the piers at Rockaway and I spent almost every nice weekend fishing the docks at Robert Moses between 1969 and 1971. Upon my return to Long Island after being away for many years, I spent 10 years fishing the party boats out of Captree every week from April till November and often the last few years I was there out of Port Jefferson as well. I miss those days, and thoroughly enjoy your videos as they capture the spirit and essence of what I enjoyed. I now live in North Carolina and feel lucky that I can afford to make the 4 hour trek to the coast once a year for a full day bottom fishing adventure, so your videos fill my need for 11 months out of the year and I thank you. I do have to say I am surprised that you have only 121k subscribers. Your videos are some of the best I've seen and target almost all of the species that are available on the Island with thoughtful dialog and intelligent analysis. I'm sure there are hundreds up there that are better anglers because of you. Well done and thanks for all the fish !

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@anglerissues2309]

A 2 to 1 ratio being good is an understatement, I’ll take those stats any day. Thanks and keep teaching us Sir 👍.

[@SovereignLivingNYC]

Thanks for this John! A lifetime of knowledge shared in 20 minute chunks. You da real MVP!

[@markcarson1844]

Great show John, you are amazing man. Stay well!

[@athanasiosbasdekis]

Happy time when watching Mr Skinner

[@daveyjones8556]

Awesome video! Every time I watch I get the itch to fish!

[@theresafitzgerald4114]

Great video as always. Loved the drone footage you posted last week. Incredible!

[@russwhite4446]

Great video John you're definitely proficient at filling the cooler thanks for the video!

[@jamesgardner395]

Fishing with John would be like hitting the lottery… you have the fishing knowledge that I dream of.. thanks for sharing top notch videos with us…

[@archieoutdoors1776]

Mr Skinner, great video as always Sir

[@ChefEiott]

You inspired me to get into light tackle blackfishing . I love it . It’s an entirely unique fishery . I’m fishing north/ central jersey mostly .

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It certainly is fun!

[@teamfishlineswfl9099]

Just came across your channel fantastic video..

[@BigMoneyJonah]

Awesome content.

[@travisbruno1988]

I wish i found your channel long ago i mainly freshwater fish but i live literally on the beach in Atlantic highland NJ now so i want to get back into saltwater but i cant catch anything but little fluke tiny black fish i want i nice keeper to eat and i catch and release almost everything i catch.. Craving some striper rite about now

[@FMorgigno1]

Awesome video John. Ive never snap jigged for sea bass before, Im going to give it a run. You should be getting ready to go south soon, I look forward to you slaying the tarpon & snook again this year. Make sure you post a trip or two with Sweeney. That last underwater vid was very telling btw. Thank you for the excellent content.

[@blibbster60]

ive learned so much from your videos John, thank you for always keeping your commentary helpful and useful! this is the first season I've ever fished for blackish, and im hooked (pun intended) they are truly a rush to catch! best fight out there (inshore)

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

They are definitely fun, especially on the jigs.

[@shane6284]

Just found your channel, great content! I live on the South Shore, and this is only my second season with a boat. Mostly I’m just playing around and learning spots and gear. I hope to eventually have even a fraction of your success one day, but learning a lot.

[@Fishingandkicking]

You’ve come to the right spot!

[@gennerobootz6490]

Hey skinner I went out today and got a few big ones I love how they fight

[@vincentjames5709]

love the content, used your s&s blackfish jig with green crab. today i caught a fluke, beautiful striper and plenty of blackfish ! i was amazed !! all on that jig !

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing that.

[@jamesps7515]

The blackfish bite in Nj 1 mile from my home is just incredible this year. 1/2 jig in 22 feet of water, bucket of green crabs and shore crabs and you’re in the money. Must have caught 300+ blackfish in 2 trips. Just magical! You’re the man Skinner! True inspiration

[@cant_hit_nuttingaming3464]

I just love my old abu prostrike! Has given me decades of fishing for a little bit of nothing cost wise!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's a great rod. Mine was bought broken in a department store for $5 and I had to put a tip on.

[@cant_hit_nuttingaming3464]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing nice! If memory serves, I paid less than 100 for both of mine med. and med hvy. I wish they still made 'em!

[@ronsuda7555]

Great video thanks for sharimg been meaning to head down east to that Boulder but fishing has been so good close to dock hard to take the run hope these storms dont mess the shallow water fishing up too bad would like to see some underwater footage from that Boulder 👍

[@WoodisGood82]

Your favorite island was on fire this past weekend. BSB were 20 ft thick with the striped variety mixed in and we trolled after and caught 20 lb blues. Incredible day on the water.

[@sunkishim1861]

.,

[@24gamogun]

That's funny I've been using different largemouth bass rods for fluke and blackfish for a while now I like the action.

[@robertlucas8104]

I use a mojo bass rod with a quantum accurist and it bounces little bucktails perfectly for fluke.

[@ronbielma2086]

Awesome fishing & catch.✌🌈🇺🇸

[@kevinmcardle8070]

Amazing how deep it is so close to shore. For my stretch of the LI Sound, you could be 2 miles out and still in only about 20 ft of water.

[@anitasayachack4004]

Hello! I like watching your fishing video, where you pick up the small crab for bait

[@grantd.5438]

I enjoy Tog on the bass gear too! Can be a blast \^^/

[@papimlch57]

Can we get a John Skinner Gear review video? (Show and review everything you use for fishing. Rods, reels, line, lures, etc. )

[@eighttenk]

John what do you think about trying a bait casting reel for snap jigging like your fluke setups wouldnt that be easier to use when you need to reset the line when you scope instead of opening the bail every time?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm just not comfortable with how a baitcaster is held for something like that, although I get your point on the drop back.

[@ATC235]

What charts show you where structure is? I just bought a boat this season I keep it at Shinnecock. Thank you and I love the videos they have been very helpful.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Get the navionics phone app and turn on relief shading under map options. The app is $14.95/year and worth any penny.

[@LongIslandLethals]

Hey those porgy were pretty big in comparison to the seabass.

[@nyciscfishing1561]

Are your books available on tape?

[@surfandstreamfisher5749]

is Skinner going to develop a new jig rod?!? is that why he's switching back and forth between rods? picking the best qualities of the rods. stay tuned!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

You are extremely perceptive.

[@josephcumella5671]

John... will likely purchase that Slimwave for next season. Question... the Evict link to J&H always points to the 2000 size. Is that correct?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes on the 2000. I live on that reel here.

[@Captain-Seasick]

Hi John. Great video . What would u do if u were using the conventional or bait casting reel over spinning reel . Would change your technique of jigging?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I think you could still do it with the right rod, but I'm more comfortable with spinning for these applications.

[@josephgallo9034]

Love your videos John! I watch every one and have learned alot. I was wondering what type of rod length/action you recommend for snap jigging?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

6 feet to around 6.5

[@PaulyV56]

John great videos. I’ve got the same boat 16 footer. Would a 54 inch shaft work or is 60 inch the ticket not sure If your boat is the 18. Looking to pull the trigger on the Minnkota RiptideTerova

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Mine is a 16-footer. Go with the 60-inch.

[@josephhorstmann4585]

John, Great video as always. See you were using a ball bucktail. Would appreciate your thoughts on when and if you use a Gulp grub with it. Is it just dependent on what the bite is like? Thank you.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not really required for sea bass. I'd use it for fluke, or if in Florida, reds and specks.

[@ruimiranda2243]

good friend are you fishing in salt or fresh water good fishing for you

[@neildurso4566]

Hi John, My blackfish ratio of keepers to shorts is more like 25 to 1. Do you think contributing factors could be reacting to the tugs on the bait too early? location being too far off a boulder? Fewer large fish in the western sound? Also, the bushel of green crabs we were using had a preponderance of very small crabs. While i tried using whole crabs with corners cut, do you think smaller bait (1.5 inch carapace) leads to smaller fish? Thanks as always for your insights!!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I would not worry about the crab size. I also don't think you're setting the hook too early else you wouldn't even catch the shorts. I'm guessing location one way or another.

[@gennerobootz6490]

I was going to go out fishing today but it was extremely windy

[@scottbrightman3662]

Hi John, I have a Seven-foot Saint Croix Medium -Heavy that can handle 3/8 to 3/4 oz lure weight. Would this rod be good for black fish and black sea bass? I think I could push the lure weight to maybe to one ounce and half if need be. Thank you for your input .

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's fine. I think I have some variation of that rod.

[@brianjones866]

🇺🇸

[@tomasaguiar628]

Would love to try snap jigging any recommendations for the rod. What properties should it have?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

2000-3000 reel, 10# line, 6-6.5' rod, moderate action.

[@williamouellette8220]

could you show us how you clean and cook your bounty?

[@Teach_1ne]

That’s very interesting how you jig for the sea bass like that. How heavy is that bucktail ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

1-ounce.

[@ericsikow4880]

Hey John - I've been enjoying your content for the last year or so. I've learned quite a bit just watching your videos and am eager to learn more! One thing I've noticed is all your blackfishing seems to be done in fall. Do you ever target them in spring or does the water stay too cold before the spring season ends?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm not up there in the spring when the short season is open.

[@rtorres3442]

Another great video John, thanks for the share!. I haven't heard much discussion though regarding certain weather patterns and fronts for blackfish. Do you keep record of which wind direction, swell periods, wave heights, etc. seem to produce best & which seem to turn off the bite? If so, would you mind elaborating a bit on it? Being one like many who pays to fish on open head boats it's a benefit to know which conditions may produce best. Thanks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Honestly for me it's all about the conditions to even get out on the water when it's not too rough and/or windy. There aren't many calmish days in any given week in the fall.

[@rtorres3442]

From your experiences is there a specific type of wind direction that seems to turn off the bite? I know South winds sometimes do when fluke fishing as they usually bring an influx of cold water.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm not aware of any. They seem very reliable if I can get out.

[@rtorres3442]

Thanks. Looking forward to some new Florida episodes. Tight lines.

[@dragonbob2924]

What length/model boat does he use? I would like to eventually buy one of similar size.

[@sticktoFL]

Looks like 16 ft

[@ingyham]

‘74 16’ starcraft

[@PaulyV56]

ive got a 1972 starcraft super sport 16' i made into a center console 10 years ago. I believe this is that same boat maybe an 18' I run a 55 hp evinrude. Johns is a 40. Basically the same power.

[@jiggingjerks]

I did a review/overview of John’s boat in case you’re interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ_EaGuflM6Hm8U

[@joejuska5390]

Hopefully a nicer deck.

[@GAFisherman]

Could that be an Abu Garcia 7f med action spinning together you had what may have been a Peek Slammed on catching sea bass and a stripped on toward the end of the video?

[@GAFisherman]

Sorry. Couldn't edit. Tried to ask, was it a 7 ft med action Abu Garcia spinning rod you had a Penn Slammer reel on toward the end of the video. I'm searching for a similar model in med heavy action to replace one I broke years ago. Are they being made and sold now?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It was originally a 6'6'', but is now shorter. It's ancient.

[@gennerobootz6490]

Hey skinner I finally got one

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I hope many more follow.

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I had one in and the hook bent

[@JoeyT80]

This is what I've been looking for! Dude, your shore tog video got me amped to start my quest this season and I am really STRUGGLING to LAND DD togs!!! So I gotta use a 30 lbs fluro then? Also, do you think that the Quantum accurist baitcasting reel will pull in the tog? It had been fighting like a mini helicopter with me.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The accurist is fine for tog. I use 30# leader.

[@jamesps7515]

I caught an 8lber with my accurist last year and it handled it with 0 problems

[@JoeyT80]

Thanks guys I'm going back at it!!

[@iangreenberg5101]

How do these jigs work in 3-4 foot seas with 15 -30 mph wind. Love the videos thanks John.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I think you know the answer.

[@iangreenberg5101]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing well I figured not so good but it was a serious question bc many guys I know use these on ocean side. They leave there sinkers at the dock so they must be holding bottom

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

15-30mph wind in 60' of water would be nearly impossible to stay down with a 1-ounce bucktail without running the boat into the wind. Even then there would probably be a big differential in bottom vs surface current speeds that would make it next to impossible.

[@aidanbell9967]

I'm so early!

[@Anon51]

John, do you tie your jigs straight to the main line or do you have some flouro between the jig and braid?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

30# fluoro leader

[@Anon51]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing about how long and do you fgknot them or uni? I usually fish off piers and constantly snag, losing jigs in the process. So I try to pull it out hoping my knots hold.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I go through a small barrel swivel and have about a 40-inch leader.

[@samanthaalessi5001]

Quick question John what do you think of me using my carbon shield and my vr 50 for blackfish

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The vr50 would be awesome. The medium or medium heavy carbon shield would be OK.

[@samanthaalessi5001]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing ok because that's my kayak setup what rod would you recommend for me to go buy to pair with the VR for blackfish...

[@samanthaalessi5001]

I have caught a few blackfish with the carbon setup allready but which rod would be ideal?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The white Tsunami Slimwave that I link to in this video description. 6'4''.

[@willf7859]

Hello John, Was wondering what kind of fishing camera you use? Thanks in advance

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Above or below water?

[@willf7859]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing below the water. Like the one you used to get the shot of the fish going after the crab legs in the beginning of the video

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

There's a link to that in the video description.

[@giants_champions9526]

Any tips for bigger blackfish. Can only find small ones.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Deeper wreck structure I think this time of year.

[@giants_champions9526]

Ok thanks I’ll try my reefs

[@dieseldick1264]

When will pine island vids start?. Monster reds right now down here. Your prob here now

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm still North until around 11/20. That's great news on the Reds! I've been monitoring the red tide with fingers crossed. At the moment it looks good all the way up to the panhandle.

[@robertgerber2533]

I don’t like to eat stripers either. This is catching not fishing. That last sea bass was huge

[@jobino511]

Wondering what the drone will show with no legs going over. Doesnt seem to harm the bite at all though.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

My fear is that it dropping the legs in the water will draw the fish well down-current. The drone vid showed that just one person dropping only a crab jig is enough to get the fish swarming under the boat.

[@jobino511]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Next trip out I'm trying it. On my boat I say, "If it's good enough for john skinner, it's good enough for me!"

[@516Spark]

Out of Florida or jersey

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Long Island.

[@gennerobootz6490]

Hey John can I come fishing with you pls I’ll bring the green crabs

[@Fishingandkicking]

I’m pretty sure you have the same three “wanna be” subscribers who give every video a thumbs down because they are jealous. 😂

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I think it's 6, but I agree.

[@dngendron]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing probably environmental or peta whackos

[@bobclouser450]

This video gave me gas for some reason,,and I have gone through half a book of matches.