Fluke Fishing Opening Day Surprised Me + Striped Bass Jigging!

We caught more fluke (Summer Flounder) than I expected on the season opener given the cold weather. We also had fun striper jigging. Supports my latest book, Fishing the Edge - Techniques and Tales from Surf, Boat, and Kayak: amzn.to/3TQtFvq.
Online Fishing Course Discounts - www.saltstrong.com/skinner/
Salt Strong Special Club Offer Including Free Lures: bit.ly/SkinnersPrivateCommunity
My Books (Amazon):
(Latest) - Fishing the Edge: amzn.to/3TQtFvq
Fishing the Bucktail: amzn.to/2MQDysM
Fishing for Summer Flounder: amzn.to/2TcZnIP
Striper Pursuit: amzn.to/3ceIQYp
A Season on the Edge: amzn.to/3lHWye4
Rod, Reel, Line, Lure:
Red Rod: bit.ly/45GoMej
Bass Reel (2000): bit.ly/3TaSWCS
Fluke Rod: bit.ly/3QsR6ch
Fluke Reel: bit.ly/2SDW7Rg
Fluke Reel Power Handle: amzn.to/3pMJox8
Line: (15#): bit.ly/3tNFF5H
Striper Jig Strip: bit.ly/2S5MqxZ
Leader (30#): bit.ly/2EcadoD
Fluke Teaser: bit.ly/44WbHx1
Gulp Grub (6-inch): bit.ly/45CPlRO
Miscellaneous Gear:
Breathable Slickers: bit.ly/3niFm2S
Breathable Outer Jacket: bit.ly/3nhLGHS
Hoodie: amzn.to/3UC2FTb
Tackle Bag: amzn.to/42sAmYz
24V RoyPow Lithium Trolling Motor Battery: bit.ly/3NwNHe7
The above are affiliate links.
Fishfinder: bit.ly/2N2SvqP
Trolling Motor: bit.ly/2VS9C2r
Fishfinder Coastmaster Chart - bit.ly/34KEcQo

[@BStavFishing]

"Hook-sets are FREE!" ~John Skinner I just recently quoted you in my inaugural article in The Fisherman Magazine. Great video fellas!! Cheers to a great 2024 Flounder Season!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Congrats on your first article!

[@BStavFishing]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Thanks John! I'm over the moon about it! Hutch and I are collaborating on another one for the June issue. Trying to keep the old mind (and pencil) sharp.

[@karlneumann6833]

Nothing better than sharing time with a close friend and going fishing. Even if the bite sucks all it takes is that ONE fish to make the day even better !

[@averageangler8453]

Yet another great vid. I'm surprised that no one noticed that Mr skinners line is wrapped around his rod between the reel and the first guide

[@jessicacallahan9711]

“ it’s a fluke “ ! So cute how excited you both got on the first fish of the fluke trip . Looking forward to some more beach and surf fishing videos! 🥰

[@stevec.2924]

welcome home John and thanks. Love your vids!

[@nextdriftfishing]

Happy Flukin' this year John! It was good to see you guys out there yesterday.

[@jeffreysnyder912]

Another great video of fishing

[@gennerobootz6490]

Finally you’re back !!!!!!!

[@newworldfishing2452]

Another days of striped bass fishing. One of my favorite fish to catch, kept the videos coming.

[@googeelou]

Grea video Mr. Skinner

[@chinoyhealingfoodstravels8888]

Greetings from Redondo Beach.🇺🇸 Nice fishing video. 🌸🌸

[@northforkseaanddirtfishing5754]

Saw you over there around 845! Had similar results from orient to jessups. Biggest at greenlawns but also 18”.

[@tonynoon8693]

I’m looking forward to the striper season when it starts up this way. They haven’t really hit NH yet. Time to re-read about bucktails I think.

[@Tipper23789]

And the day has come the first skinner fluke vid of the season. I couldn’t go out weather was to bad 😢

[@duffmeister6480]

I have plenty of Prozac to share with Halkias if he wants, now I don’t feel so bad. He is lightning fast at those hook sets !

[@ronsuda7555]

Hey john i have caught a lot of belly hooked fluke on a single rig as well not the 2 hook rig they just lay on the bucktail when its cold there probably not hitting the teaser i bet its been a very long time since u fished a single rig for fluke lol thanks for sharing

[@stevengardiner1339]

What size jigs were you using for the fluke? Thank you and welcome back

[@TheNockingPoint]

You talked me into a set of bibs. Your Jedi mind trick works well on the weak minded. You must have been fishing on May the 4th. Thank you for the fun video.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I noticed on this link bit.ly/3niFm2S that if you buy bibs you get a substantial discount on the matching jacket. You'll like them. Very comfortable even in warmer weather.

[@TheNockingPoint]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing OK I will admit it. Even though I did not "need" another jacket. Did use the deal and got the jacket also.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Good. With that offer it was too hard to pass on the jacket.

[@petejablowski2123]

Weather has been cloudy rainy and cold in the northeast almost every day , I’ve literally seen the sun 2 days in three weeks.

[@Snick4444]

Struck out opening day down here in south jersey, but conditions were not idle, but excited for the beginning of fluke season! John, are your Skinner S & S bucktails available anywhere? I did not see any last time I checked J & H tackles site and I don't see any links above. Love those bucktails!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Bucktails in about a month.

[@robtopham6095]

It looked like a good day for you guys. Jersey's opening day was yesterday Saturday 5/4. The fish here looked just like the ones you guys were pulling up, short dirty bottom and skinny. Kind of normal for this time of year. The fish were also very sluggish (water temps @55).

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Really thin fish, but at least there was a decent number of them.

[@scottspeck8843]

Yes opening day was a struggle they seemed lethargic

[@udtghost3860]

I think it may have been my worst opening day I ever had boat I got to keepers and had to work hard for them their still sleep can't believe it took 9 hours to pick up 5 fish with to keepers the rain and temperature made it tough this year .Townsend inlet

[@robtopham6095]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing The fish are there for shore. I fought wind against tide .9 mph drift perpendicular to tide and still got 2 throwbacks. Weather looks much better tomorrow and next few days. Catch'em up!

[@andrewmcmullen1388]

I fish early may (coastal bays of Virginia) every year for the last 12 years, I can only remember 2 or 3 fish caught jigging (your typical fast jigging) You are slow jigging, more like gliding, maybe this is why? ! I gotta wait another year but I'm going to try.

[@andrewgaroh9538]

Morning Mr. skinner, I’ve noticed my last few trips that my line is scoping a bit too much. Currently, i’m using 4x power pro and im wondering if switching to 8x will cause less drag? do you think this will make a difference? or should i go up in bucktails weight? i’m already using 2.5oz in back bay.

[@PhillipSiddiq]

Are you making any jigs? I need some V2 please!🎉

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Soon, like next month.

[@angryjay06]

Hey John what is your preferred knot to connect leader to braid for your jigging set up and your surf rod??

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use a barrel swivel with a palomar on the braid and a clinch on the leader.

[@jasonk9592]

Awesome video john. I have your new skinner jig and bounce casting back bay Medium version is that rod to light for flounder in the back bay? I been losing a few fish or do i just need to set the hook harder? Thanks

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Definitely not too light. That's what I use for that application.

[@jasonk9592]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing do you use the H or the backbay?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

In back bays (Shinnecock) and long island sound, I use the Bay model. The heavier one is used in deeper applications where I generally need 3 or more ounces, like Peconic Bay or the ocean.

[@jasonk9592]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks John. I love the rod and sensitivity of it I guess I just need to get use to it. How much drag should I set on the qauntim I never used a baitcaister for flounder.

[@sergeykhaitov678]

nice video! your line on fluke rod seems to be wrapped 180 right after the reel? intentional?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not intentional, and I can't believe how long it took me to notice it!!

[@nickp.777]

I was looking for this comment! I just bought that exact rod and was wondering if that was some type of tactic lol.

[@mauricehyder9237]

John what cheap rod to use on a boat for flounder. We trol in 4 to 8ft of water. Usually using 3/4 oz to 2 oz. weight. Would also like to double is up for sheepsheads. Something in the 6ft to 6ft length with some feel and strength.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

What price range?

[@mauricehyder9237]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I know this sounds cheap but in the $40 to $80 range. Something that is stiff/strong enough to set the hook on flounder and get sheepheads out of the docks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The best I can do is still to high. The 7-ft MH of this rod: bit.ly/3R291cf

[@frrok1]

Seems like you can’t find a skinner fluke Bucktails anymore except maybe a few on eBay. I see you said they are coming soon. New manufacturer?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes - Dark Matter will have them soon.

[@frrok1]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing awesome!

[@leafinitup1]

How do you know when you’re on bottom with such a light jig and strong current? Thanks.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Watch the line and pay attention to the rod tip as the jig sinks. You don't want to be on the bottom, just near it.

[@jackperuso5459]

John is there a reason the line is wrapped around the rod off the reel ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I have no idea how that happened or why it took me so long to notice. I think I was so focused on my rod tip!

[@jackperuso5459]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing lol fluke didn’t seem to mind

[@jb8390]

Any reason you have your line wrapped before the first eye or was that an accident for the fluke portion

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Accidental and I can't believe I didn't catch it earlier.

[@jb8390]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I thought maybe you were trying something new because I know you sometimes people hold the line with their finger

[@easterneuropeantracksuit3312]

How deep for fluke approximately?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

20-45 for us.

[@gator7095]

Did your microphone malfunction near the end of the video?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not that I'm aware of.

[@ehayward3719]

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@davidgrajko]

Can I hit Mark on your screen , haha sounded like John wanted to throw him overboard for touching his bible .

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've learned my lesson about cluttering the plotter with marks.

[@timrudy4359]

Live bait would 100% outperform the Gulp this time of year. To each their own…