Canals Loaded With Fish! Twitch a Topwater Lure And Hold On!

[@bretburt7317]

When you made that comment it brought back memories - my old boss always said "I'd rather be lucky than good any day".

[@ramrodrymensnyder2648]

Winter snook on topwater....thats AWESOME. Another great video.

[@mikemuller4019]

You make me wanna snowbird to Florida.

[@duffmeister6480]

60 degrees, cold ? It’s 15 here on LI this Saturday morning, your Killing Me Skinner !

[@kweeks10045]

I love catching snook. I fish deep South Texas and catch them fairly regularly. I actually caught a barracuda in the Laguna Madre last September and have had quite a few pompano in the bay over the past couple of years.

[@patcurcio1379]

What a perfect second cast on the second fish after she swiped and missed on the first cast, John.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks. A foot or two makes a big difference in that fishery.

[@SilvermanAdventuresFishing]

Great good size Snook catches. Had to be a good day for sure.👍

[@Two_Buck]

Great day on the water.

[@mlscaramouche]

Love your work and videos, John! Thank you!

[@harrykyriazis3762]

You really have this spot figured out!

[@Spartan5420]

Love the kayak!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It is awesome.

[@buffdoc46]

Some great quality fish this outing

[@johnkunzman7138]

John: Those are some quality snook!

[@josebordonada9180]

Great video John nice Snooks 🐟🎣

[@chrisb3510]

Man what a great spot John. Always seems like you’re the only one fishing in your videos. Nothing more exciting than topwater . Great video again !

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I do make an effort to find spots where no one else is fishing and to avoid others on the water. Not always possible.

[@bucfan23]

John - Did u come across this spot by exploration or was it recommended to you? Just curious. I find it so rewarding to search out honey holes through trail and error.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Found it on my own.

[@thomcerny1101]

I've said it before, but it still amazes me these spots haven't been swarmed by others - especially guides slinging stunned baitfish. Amazing fish. Just wish I lived closer!

[@JohnJohn-wr1jo]

100s of miles of shoreline and 100s more when you factor in the canals in this area. Almost heaven

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's inevitable I guess. It's why I'm always searching for new spots.

[@johndrx165]

Hot bite there, John! I think it would be cool if you did a rod/reel maintenance after your saltwater trips.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Light spray with fresh water after each trip. Done. I have no offseason.

[@ras124]

Awesome

[@BigDaddyFishingNJ]

Excellent, you are really enjoying Florida now! John I will be in the Miami area most of Februar. I'd love to drive over and see you or come to Miami for some winter tarpon. I fished out of Bud and Mary's for 20 years, fly and spin. I had a skiff. I know the drill it would be my pleasure to join you. I will also be fishing Key Biscayne area you are welcome to join me.

[@billelia1933]

Wish I could cast like you.. I get it in the trees all the time... Great video as always.. Hope this rain goes away soon.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

7 inches of rain yesterday and more today! Right, the pinpoint casting thing is a pain since most of the spots have unforgiving mangroves.

[@GAFisherman]

Unbelievable! Snook, known as warm water fish, hitting top water in cooler water temps. Amazing.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

There are some advantages to moving into a new fishery kind of ignorant and without any per-conceived rules. The Florida cold has actually been my friend lately.

[@vipergeddy]

Are snook good eating

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm told they are. I've never kept one.

[@ramrodrymensnyder2648]

They are indeed fantastic eating.

[@MartinVSmith6334]

First: most enjoyable video! Baer skin: stuff looks great and I trust you however no tall man sizes. Do you crush your barbs in Florida as you do in NY? Do you have an opinion to share comparing the Dark Matter inshore rods to St. Croix's offerings?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I crush the barbs on those plugs. The Dark Matter rods are a better value IMO. They're also pretty indestructible. I'm biased obviously, because I think anyone who could have rods made exactly as they want them would favor those rods.

[@maxwilliam56]

Stunning trip, John. Those snook are lovely and hard fighting fish. Wish we had them in England. Low 60s and you've got the Baerskin on, same colour as the one I'm wearing in the kitchen and I recommend them, apart from the zip being on the wrong side. 27°F (-3°C) here in Cornwall, outside I mean. A woodfire in the lounge which turns the central heating radiator behind me off as the thermostat is in the lounge. I bought 3 of those Rebel Jumpin' Minnows (silver) from the US and am just waiting for our only bass species (Dicentrarchus labrax) to take one on the surface. Keep up the excellent work, thank you.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Do you live near Port Isaac? My wife and I are huge Doc Martin fans.

[@maxwilliam56]

No, John, but for a trip out with you surf fishing for stripers, I'll head 30 miles west to Port Isaac, kidnap him and bring him over to meet you and your wife. @@JohnSkinnerFishing

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Beautiful looking area.

[@maxwilliam56]

Yes it is, you should visit. Unfortunately we have commercially overfished our waters. A beautiful part of the country nonetheless. @@JohnSkinnerFishing

[@dediandtoys9319]

Nice video

[@tim421165]

Loved the videos much more when you fished in ct waters

[@DrDitchpickle]

Man what a great video! Had to rewind a couple of those fights. BTW what boots are you wearing?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

bit.ly/3u091kQ - Light as a feather.

[@russpost2557]

Know exactly where you are 😅 but i wont tell. Just think at any given cast there might be a 45" snook on the other end .

[@Onewayto2024]

Way to go John. It still baffles me how so many guys down here won’t even think about trying for snook unless they can get live shrimp. Have these guys ever even TRIED fishing for snook with lures, or is it some kind of generational thing where the locals just assume snook can only be caught on bait because “that’s what everyone around me uses”???

[@michaellloyd4579]

Been using lures for the past 40 years for snook & the old timers have been using them long before me, so it’s not a new concept at all!

[@Onewayto2024]

@@michaellloyd4579 Oh, I’m not saying it’s a new concept at all. I’m just amazed at how many people down here think it’s impossible to catch snook unless you have live bait.

[@michaellloyd4579]

@@Onewayto2024 who knows? Like you said, it might be the current generation as there are some old time methods of fishing for them that I no longer see such as using Calcutta poles & live, jumbo shrimp. Old timers also used lures such as the Zara Spook. “Introduced in 1939, the Zara Spook's legendary ''walk-the-dog'' top water action has been written about more than any other fishing lure. To fish a Heddon Zara® Spook, use a rhythmic, slack-line retrieve that makes the Zara Spook walk from left to right, back and forth. The Zara Spook's plump profile is a tantalizing target for bass and pike.”

[@maxwilliam56]

A Zara Spook looks a lot like the Rebel Jumpin' Minnow that JS was catching on. @@michaellloyd4579

[@stephenschneider3967]

Always enjoy your work and efforts John. Would you ever use live bait when targeting snook or do you prefer just using lures?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I wouldn't even consider fishing bait for snook, reds, or trout. It's a shame so many people do because there's such a beautiful artificials fishery. My channel demonstrates that, and face it, I'm relatively clueless only being down here for 4 winters.

[@Redcrown48]

Snook again, popular area. Do barnacles grow on the mangrove roots? Only saw the link in the video for the bearskinhoodie, I got one, pricey though, OD green is my favorite color.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes to the barnacles, so real important the snook don't run under them when hooked.

[@harrisgraves592]

Hi John, I fish for food only. I wish I had time for catch and release. I have thought for a long time that If a person got good on barbless then they would be that much closer to mastering the art. I use barbs cause we love to eat fish. I just try to be artful in my utility. Keep em coming, please. Florida is on my bucket list cause a you. Thank you.

[@Bill-hw1iq]

I'm curious why you don't use the rod holder on your right side and instead lay the rod across your lap while trying to remove hooks, etc...

[@anotherburritotodd7906]

My guess is he’s just having such a good day it gets annoying putting it all the way in holder. Source: I have a fishing kayak but I don’t catch fish

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Maybe because it's faster and easier to do whatever it is I'm doing than to aim the butt end into the opening of the rodholder. Whatever it is I don't see it causing a problem, especially since I usually leave the fish in the water.

[@Bill-hw1iq]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I've seen a few rod holders that were just sketchy. Also, placement in the scheme of things can be awkward. They seem to be in the way no matter where they are located. I've resorted to tucking things under my leg at times, but that's problematic. I guess it's just a matter of developing habits and tuning the flow of motions.

[@shawnboisclair3696]

A nice video, plenty of snook action. On cold kayak days like the video what are the pants and boots you are using. Thanks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's all Bimini Bay stuff. Been fishing in those things most trips this winter. Breathable Slickers: bit.ly/3niFm2S Breathable Outer Jacket: bit.ly/3nhLGHS

[@shawnboisclair3696]

​@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks

[@Anthony-y9s7v]

How far do you typically stay away from the shore line?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

As far as I can and still have good casting accuracy.

[@timechild1261]

Huuuuge huge! 😅

[@vsonic86]

3:06 what lure is that?

[@kanakoa74]

Are the barbs smashed down on the hooks here… like I often see you do with your Striper plugs?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes. Safer for the fish and me too!

[@FLFlatsmaster]

What part of SWFL are you fishing?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Pine Island

[@perfectleveladventurefishi619]

new sub good stuff

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Welcome aboard!

[@Msquad321]

Got yourself a real Boga ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I have a Boga 60 on LI. This is an inexpensive Berkley that is a great lipper with no scale.