EPIC River Monster Kayak Fishing - Crazy Tarpon Jumps on Kayak!

In 50+ years of fishing, this is one of my favorite trips. Most of the hookups are sight casts, including to a tailing tarpon followed by intense jumps. It doesn't get much better than this, and again - no bait! Supports my latest book, Fishing the Edge - Techniques and Tales from Surf, Boat, and Kayak: amzn.to/3TQtFvq.
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[@TalkFishTVHawaiianDan]

Omg John, been watching you for years and have never seen you so excited! Thanks for the ride. That was truly awesome!

[@mjc1177]

Same! and it's to real these fish bring that excitement out of you. It's the battle they give you.

[@Kaptain.Obvious]

Congratulations John. Landing that monster would be a dream come true for me.

[@BigDaddyFishingNJ]

Yes John, tarpon tail often. It is just the beginning of all the amazing things you will experience fishing in Florida.

[@Teach_1ne]

That first one was amazing! Yes, you were very fortunate regarding the hook. Jeez… that was very close 😂

[@jonathanmmster]

I have watched a bunch of your videos but this one is meriting a subscription. What a master class in fighting a giant fish from a kayak. Well done and congratulations sir! That was some high quality entertainment.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Welcome aboard!

[@johnb2905]

GREAT catch Jon. From a former Long Island res. who lives here in Fl. now

[@charleslahay5991]

I bet the first time you re-lived the catch via video review you shed a tear of joy. I almost did when you pulled the fish into the boat.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Re-watching it I thought several times that I was going to break it off. Had to keep reminding myself of the outcome.

[@comerford7470]

The big fish shakes 26:00. Congrats John.

[@johnkunzman7138]

Ain't nothin' more majestic than the Silver King leaping out of the water!!!

[@richardspiegel1613]

Once I was wadding with a cast net looking for bait and I saw a big tarpon tail about 5 yards away... it was the only time I saw that other than in your video.

[@mikeknottscreek8183]

I was tossing and turning in my chair watching you fight that. Always the BEST content, John!

[@kenmartin1211]

John, They are Powerful Fish.. Nice.

[@richard2081]

Congrats John on a great Tarpon and video.

[@kenhernandez7076]

you are a pro ,fished near to you in montauk i m in marco now but would love to fish anywhere near you now 73 been fishing since 6 you show me how its done . cant get enough of your vidios I have caught everything you keep me on the edge of my seat dont stop !!!

[@SSHitMan]

Ooh I know a spot by Marco for tarpon!

[@michaelsimko7694]

WHAT A FISH!!! Way more energy than a 50" striper. Longer fight than a 15 pound blue.

[@sbrydson]

Awesome John! My arms were getting tired just watching that epic battle.

[@tommcmahon9383]

Congratulations, I can't believe you landed that beast! I thought for sure you would lose him on a jump, on the bridge and again when he was close to the kayak. Clearly a testament to sharp fishing skills and the right gear. Just amazing to watch. Thanks for sharing!

[@philtarbox8256]

Congrats John!... Well done... you hooked that big boy perfectly in the mouth (otherwise you wouldn't have landed that fish). I landed one that size from shore in Islamorada a few years ago.... definitely will never forget that fish... hell of a fight!

[@mjc1177]

Wow awesome moment!! I've recently been there and these fish are on another level.

[@richkonefal710]

“I need another jump out of him for a leader touch”… I think you just need a little bit of a longer leader! Awesome video!!

[@brucedemoranville4577]

Absolutely stunning fish. You have mastered another fishery in short order.

[@seachild100]

Wow, what a trip! Nicely done John!!

[@pigsandapples]

Friggin amazing. Huge congratulations John.

[@williamfox7727]

John that was incredible! Congratulations.

[@jackbentley9530]

That's great! Another great video!

[@EatDirt1]

Great stuff John! Nice work.

[@002ducky]

Congrats Mr. Skinner! Impressive catch!

[@Takeakidfishin]

Phenomenal catch!!! Congrats on a true fish of a lifetime. What a battle, more important WHAT A RELEASE!!! Kudos to you on an incredible effort of revival. Job well done SIR!!!

[@stephenschneider3967]

Great job on the tarpons especially on the kayak!

[@michaelramos7136]

What a great vid! Thanks, John, and congrats on a killer landing with that second poon!

[@rogerstackhouse3832]

OMG great job! Really awesome. Congrats! Ya need a bigger kayak!

[@ramrodrymensnyder2648]

Awesome Awesome video man. Thank you for sharing, thats the stuff dreams are made of!

[@tommckelvey3609]

That's Awesome John, Congrats!!! Felt like I was right there with ya, your enthusiasm is contagious!

[@frety67]

Let’s gooooo! Great job getting that fish in the release too

[@GregBradshaw-uz3ff]

From Chief Brody from the movie Jaws you're going to need a bigger boat 😂

[@MartinVSmith6334]

Undoubtedly in your top five videos! Just wonderful.

[@thomcerny1101]

Epic. Simply epic. I've never been more stressed watching a fishing video! Cheering for you the whole time. Congratulations, well deserved!

[@dman_gonefishing]

AWESOME JOHN!!! You should be excited what an awesome accomplishment and on a yak no less!! Thanks for another enjoyable video!!

[@Blane_be_fishin]

That’s a great accomplishment Mr. Skinner! I know that big tarpon rodeo on light gear all too well. But to do it in a kayak is amazing. Great work as always.

[@billcancellieri8375]

Amazing catch! Congrats

[@NeoDon1]

Wow, Loved it, not as much as you did! Great Job!

[@robtopham6095]

Congrats John! One thing about video I could feel how excited you were landing that beast.

[@danielstephenson146]

What a fun watch!! Enjoying living vicariously through you up here in the freezing cold of the midwest. Congrats on the amazing catch!

[@Peter-zg3em]

great fish. those rods have more backbone than i would expect.

[@josephdoran1399]

New all time greatest video. Well done Mr. Skinner

[@Stevenrosswhite]

Congrats! That was one helluva tarpon 👊🏼

[@alansandybulmer4877]

Stunning effort John. It took patience and skill to land that leviathan. As you said, a poor start to the day with the rod overboard followed by an epic session. Perfectly shows the highs and lows of fishing. Love your work.

[@grantd.5438]

Looks like a ton of fun! Pretty impressive for that setup (Rod, Reel, and hook!). Will have to plan to snowbird between seasons later in life too lol

[@Charactermatters650]

Amazing day! Nice to see the reality as well - shit happens to all of us - I remember a number of days that started like shit and became epic later! Love your stuff.

[@vigodatopia2229]

Bucket list fish, great vid!

[@chefeliott4611]

I’ve seen , and caught tailing tarpon in the Florida keys . Sometimes they spook easily when they’re tailing, and sometimes they’ll eat . Very cool to see that in this video . Nice work John . 👍🏽

[@striperhunter-ic2wt]

Congratulations John!

[@billelia1933]

Dam john, that was awesome..I have been fishing Venice for about 6 months now..Hoping to get a day like that some day.. Congrats

[@user-zr1db2kq8r]

Excellent video!

[@coxgaspoweredtether]

John: C'mon buddy I'm tyrin to help you out... Tarpon: I'm not your Buddy... Nice Job John!

[@kweeks10045]

What an amazing trip. I started using artificials exclusively about six years ago. It made a huge difference in my fishing ability. Love the rods, by the way.

[@BigDaddyFishingNJ]

The best action I have seen on your channel! Congratulations! You handled those fish like a veteran. I know you were nervous when that huge tarpon was boats side. Now what to do! Everyone should be mindful to care for their catch like John did. Big effort on reviving and good release. Watch Mill House Podcast Andy and Nicky Mill, to learn all about South Florida fishing etiquette and urgent water conversation issues. Thanks John!

[@donwinges7464]

Congrats on landing that beauty, John! I’m looking for a rod to toss light lures, I’ll be sure to check yours out next time I’m at J & H. Looks like it will handle anything up here.

[@TomMendoladrums]

Bravo John! Bravo!

[@peteraikens8151]

Wow John nice fish!

[@greggjohnson3049]

Awesome! Congratulations!

[@russpost2557]

I should add john , there are some real monsters. The biggest I ever got was 7' 4" . It's girth was 34 inches .

[@michaeldemasi1665]

Only one word, EPIC!

[@slammingjack2242]

That was one hell of a fish!

[@ronchiles399]

I was fishing in a Florida lake and was relatively deep for FL at about 15' caught a decent bass and set my rod down on edge of canoe...we fished it out as well.

[@ljohnson5978]

Impressive! Congrats!

[@GROUNDPOUNDERFAB]

Put it right down to the bottom...Lol Glad you got it back!

[@billwallenstein3387]

Way to go Johnny!

[@lamonthayes8889]

Great video 📹

[@clarenceelliott9009]

I like to see even experience fisherman makes those types of mistakes! But glad you got the rod back😮

[@unionsquaregrassman]

Great fish.

[@foxlinks6656]

Good job saving that beauty 👏

[@robertbiermann4666]

Lucky! He bent the heck out of that hook! Good juvie.

[@Obxhatman]

Way to go John , that is a hell of a fish off a yak. Its very easy to get excited when something like that takes ya bait. I would have probably had a heart attack. I also feel like that Old Town Autopilot is a very underrated kayak for what you can do with one , You can put more very light pressure on a fish just by simply putting the drive on a speed of one or two away from that bridge as he was dragging ya to it. it can mean the difference between a fish wrapping ya up in pylons and not. However , to be able to drag the fish on recovery beside the kayak and be able to focus solely on that versus pedaling or paddling while you are getting water over his gills , that speaks a lot of this kayaks ability , love mine , not another kayak in the water even compares.

[@brianh5652]

WOW! Congrats

[@waterfauowl75]

OLD MAN & THE SEA!

[@clarenceelliott9009]

All I can say is OMG! On a freaking kayak 🎉🎉🎉

[@justbuck603]

What an incredible piece of footage! We've all heard the proverbial fish stories, but to experience fishing like this in real life must be something. John, after losing that rod and reel, did you think about heading back in? Think about what you would've missed.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I thought about leaving the lost rod and fishing for it later rather than losing the prime time. I was afraid the current would move it.

[@stevecollins3667]

Ho - ly c**p!!!! That is an amazing video!!!!

[@frankiediaz4299]

Dear John I know you like crushing your barbs but we really wanted to see you hold that fish in hand we rooting for you.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I landed the second one. Had it in both hands.

[@ralphzaccaria7420]

NICE!!!

[@michaelgorman4142]

John, you ever consider the northeast tuna run? Looks like you're getting plenty of practice lol

[@rookstorm1]

So much for the bow the rod crap ,keep it tight and up and the line is tight to the hooks ,fish barbless and bow the rod giving slack with any fish that jumps and see what the result is compared to keeping it up and tight.You kept the rod up every jump

[@duffmeister6480]

Nice catch Skinner, that’s what I expect to see out of Florida, is that the same area you’ve been catching Snook in ? Looks all the same to me. Thanks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks. Not close to the snook spot.

[@stratpaulguy86]

Epic!

[@johnw.cirago9300]

NICE FISH JOHN

[@DenisBurke-vb6vh]

Haven’t been up there since mid November since the weather went to crap , nice work. There were zero manatees up there then. Last time they were staging real well up by that piling by the small island. Do you have side scan with the good transducer on your machine. I have pictures of 50 fish on the Simrad screen up there.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No side scan. They seem to show when they're in a feeding mood.

[@bigcheesedog2645]

WOW!!

[@jupiterkayakfishing]

There is a much easier launch on the other side of the river, to access that area, little longer transit but much easier, fyi. great video.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for that!

[@johnconnolly3635]

I think one of your first tarpon caught 2 years ago was Hugh. Very very big 85 lbs ? On your video

[@Swflinshorefishing]

New follower from Cape Coral!! Let’s go fishing Captain?

[@vipergeddy]

WAY TO GO JOHN NICE FISH IS THAT YOUR PB ON THEM

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No. I had one that calculated to 151# from shore in Key West.

[@thefreshangle1795]

Nicely done! What size reel are you using in this video?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Tsunami Evict 2000

[@GeorgeDEFINED]

What would you guess in length? Congratulations 🎉

[@tonynicoletti8161]

9:55 i thought you had a sad surprise for us.

[@kirillanisimov7101]

Awesome Fish John! That rod handled that fish like a champ! Definitely one for the memories. By the way what is the model # of the rod you were using if you dont mind?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks! Here's the rod model: bit.ly/45GoMej

[@kirillanisimov7101]

Thank you sir.

[@murraydriggs6534]

Where do I get one of those rods? Incredible

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

bit.ly/45GoMej

[@roywright5485]

How much do you think it weighed? 40lbs?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've caught many 40 pound stripers, and it was twice that.

[@davidkuperschmid5274]

Snowing here and you are catching tarpon on light-tackle. Hate you John Skinner!

[@michaeloshea3090]

Is the Saltx really water proof? What I read it wasn't made to be submerged in salt water. Maybe the 3000 is different than the 4000 that I own, let me know.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's actually a SaltX II, which is an upgraded SaltX.

[@michaeloshea3090]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks for the info.