Surfcasting for Striped Bass with Poppers - Super Strike Plugs

[@schymark7196]

Your videos are unbelievable in the quality as well as the attention to detail. Thank you for bringing us along.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I know the casting distance roughly because I know I can reach certain rocks in Long Island Sound with that rod and plug and I've used the Google Earth measuring tool to measure the distance at over 250 feet with no wind. I had a strong wind on my back in this video.

[@wavehead11]

I am inspired and informed! Im going to take what Ive learned here and apply it in the surf. The Striper are patrolling our beaches in Monterey Bay now. Your videos are very well done. There are guys on WFN that make the worst fishing shows. You should be on WFN!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I never use mono. This was 30-pound stealth braid and 50 pound mono leader.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Glass calm quiet water I prefer a pencil. Pencils are tough in a strong crosswind because they don't have enough "bite" on the water's surface, so I'd use the Super Strikes in that situation. Otherwise, both are good. The retrieve difference is pretty clear if you compare this video to the pencil one. The pencil can be slowed way down and thrashed hard to make an annoying commotion. Both styles are excellent.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Superb question. When eeling I have that one strong single hook, and I'm going to bury it. The plug has six sharp hook points, but even the 4X strong trebels I'm using aren't as strong as the single eeling hooks. They also don't have as much bite. Lean hard on a thrashing fish with trebels and there's a fair chance something will tear out or straighten.

[@wsoplixsackjones9493]

Nice video here with great info particularly on timing the waves to cast. As a additional touch i load my plugs with Pro -Cure Sardine gel as it leaves a trail of scent that is just irresistible to striped bass. The Pro-cure really helps when the stripers are being a bit fusy .. The 8 ounce guide size bottle of the gel only costs 18.00 bucks and you don't have to use a lot, just a small dab and smear it on the plug ,the gel sticks well leaving a trail when reteived which other stripers will smell and come investigate. Pro cure is 100% natural fish oil in a gel from and legal to use since its not chumming.

[@robertgoldman3685]

Hi John - Cool videos. I was a kid in Riverhead in the 50's and 60's. Nice to see the old fishing spots.

[@brianpaynesr2618]

Thank you. I use super strike poppers in SE Florida. Your video is very helpful.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That sounds like a solid setup - I'd go with 30-pound braid or 20-pound fireline original fused if the braid gives you trouble.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

FL fused is more trouble free, but a touch thicker. It's an alternative if you have wind knot trouble with braid.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's just a personal preference that I trust that kind of connection more than tying very thin braid onto relatively thick mono.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Pencils such as Cordell and Gibbs along with super strike poppers.

[@Bannanaslicer]

Man the fisheries you guys have up there are way healthier than what we have on the Chesapeake here in MD.

[@boraplong2724]

I wish I was in the east coast fishing, seems like there's stripers everywhere.. I fish in california, Sacramento water inshore and at times it's hard to locate them. I'm usually a bait fisherman just getting into lure fishing. Love your vids, very informative and inspiring to watch. Good job!

[@boraplong2724]

Also hard for me to move from place to place since I'm also in a wheelchair, but I love fishing. One of my favorite hobbies!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's really very dependent on the specific area. Tides are important, but daybreak is often a good time to fish regardless of tide.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use braided main line and a mono leader.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use braided main line and mono or fluoro leader.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The water I'm fishing is not so clear that I feel like I need fluoro to catch stripers. I always use it for false albacore. It definitely has its place. It's also more abrasion-resistant than mono, so I'll often use it for leader material on jetties.

[@hardywiedemann]

Thanks J. I think some others have requested this but I wanted to second it. A video of how to fish a darter would be very helpful. I know this is a productive plug but I have zero confidence in it. Been experimenting with a yellow SS darter and a black yo zuri mag style.

[@ryanlesko574]

Luke, he uses blue, yellow and white. White works for about everything, he uses yellow when there are bunker in the area. And blue when there are Mullet in the area

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

yes

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I never send the leader through the guides in any application.

[@radbluetruckproductions3009]

your honestly the best striper fisher man I know. do you ever chunk

[@Capecodfishingonline]

I use 65# braid direct to a quick change clip with a palomar knot. This is invincible, at least for me. I have never thrown a lure off of my line from my bail accidentally closing, or had a snag that I cannot pull out from. Palomar is the best knot in my opinion. I use this setup for most of my fishing..

[@mikemerc74]

hey John I want to start using poppers, pencil popper & Jigs from the surf. my question is what rod or type of rod do recommend I start with? if I can get a rod and reel for less than $200 that would be great.

[@Kennynva]

I live 4 miles from Smith Point beach near Shirley LI, and I think this is where this is....easy to park there, a beach hut has food in the summer time...I metal detect this beach all the time...This is on the south shore..

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Can't find your original question. Please re-post.

[@ezyroller]

Gotcha. You're using ultra thin braid here, right? I would actually be a little nervous about a Palomar knot on braid to a swivel. I've never tried it, but I hear mixed things about the Palomar on braid. I personally use a 5-turn surgeon's knot to join mono and braid. Thanks!

[@TB-zh9pe]

Hi John. I see that most of your poppers have plain instead of dressed rear hooks. Some surf anglers believe that dressed rear hooks increase effectiveness. Do you disagree? It is mostly a school fishery where I fish, and I sometimes wonder if the added length and bulk of a dressed hook turns off smaller fish.

[@catherinecaruso2124]

Hi John. I see that you don't dress your rear trebles with bucktail. Is that because you think the bulk of the bucktail will lessen your casting distance, or is it just because a dressed treble is not necessary?

[@jasoncohen6025]

Kris, no need to set the hook more than once or twice using a popper. I would assume that the popper utilizes treble hooks which when stuck are easier to hold and land the fish than the single circle hooks used when fishing eels. Also when fishing eels you want to make sure the fish takes the lure which is why you wait until you set and then set 3-4 times as Mr. Skinner has suggested. But then again I am not Mr. Skinner whose knowledge far outweighs my own. JC

[@will4918]

Love your vids bud watching this just motivated me to grab my st. croix and hit the beach!!

[@icebear2738]

I always have wind knot problems , I was thinking that was my mistake for trowing the wrong way FL fused cast better than braid even if is thicker ? Thank you For all your help

[@kendoeun6524]

What kind of knot are you tying to your T A clip? Mines seem to be breaking of when tying a polamar.

[@mattloccisano8772]

Hi John I was going to try some surf fishing for bass and blues at crab medow a place on the north shore of long island close to where I live what lure would be the best for bass and blues in August thanks!

[@hardywiedemann]

Another great video. Will you briefly compare application and retrieve between the ss popper and the cotton cordell pencil popper? Thanks John.

[@davem7709]

Awesome content as usual, I have been seeing mullet in the water but no bass on them. I am on the south shore of Long Island and water temps right now are in the low 70s. Is the temperature too warm for bass? I have tried ebb tide figuring current would be sucking out the bait but it also brings out the warmer bay water. With the change of climate and fishery have you seen any mullet runs w bass the last couple of years? Thank you as always

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Typically you want a cold hard blow in the second half of september to get them going.

[@1973Saved]

do you crush the barbs on your plugs? It seeems that your hooks come out very easily.

[@ShakaAantoine]

Can't I just hook up to one with mono and a snap swivel or do I NEED to use a lead?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I don't, but for sure they work.

[@pgreenx]

when do you use floaters vs sinking poppers?

[@t_man785]

Sinking are more versatile an$ cast farther

[@naminel9197]

Where in Long Island was that. I have trouble catching anything from the surf

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

A custom 9-footer with a van staal 200

[@simedogz]

When you cast, do you wind the leader through the guides to absorb the shock or is that not necessary with 30lb braid? If there ever a scenario when you wind the leader through the guides when you cast? Thanks

[@rorycostain2517]

could i get a link to find some of these popper plugs? tia john.

[@ShakaAantoine]

Do you ever use bait? Will stipers ever go for anything other then bunker heads and clams? I'm thinking of going to a fish market and buying red snapper heads or what else they have then go fishing. What are your thoughts?

[@rayhollerrr]

Do you think these super strike little neck poppers are good for florida?

[@KurdAholic]

Hey what's your best topwater you use for stripers I like using the pencil popper 6"

[@ProfessorPoundage]

How big off a rod do you need to cast 200+ feet out thats crazy?

[@johnechterhoff4791]

What is a Tactical Angler's Clip? Is that generally the same area you stand from the surf on the beach or does it just depend....?

[@malonesoutdoors7205]

Great video. So much to learn.

[@ezyroller]

I love surf casting lures at dawn, so this was great. Just curious- why join leader and braid with a swivel?

[@aXemRanger1]

I have a pretty lightweight popper (I guess they all are since they float), but I was wondering how to cast such a light popper so it actually goes some distance. Adding weights is normally the trick but since popper floats on the surface, weighting it down would defeat the purpose (unless I reeled it in fast enough that it was still on the surface but I bet that'd be too fast). Any suggestions?

[@ecmortgage1]

John, in your book ASOTEdge chapter 7 pages 69-71 you had mentioned using Yellow Darter on and around those rips which is sensible (DARTER) but YELLOW Darter at NIGHT?? Have you had more success with Yellow or Dark colored darters lets say Blurple?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Dropping tide. Tide matters, but the best tides depend on locations and winds.

[@CoXTax]

Has the striper fishing picked up yet in li sound

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I needed the casting distance.

[@ryanlesko574]

Is this an incoming tide? and when it comes to surf fishing, does the tide matter?

[@icebear2738]

Thank you for your help. Could you please explain me about fireline fused Is better than power pro ? Or better than braid ? I really want to learn how to use plugs and bucktails As always thank you for teaching us everything

[@ruletocoll1790]

Good lure. Had some hits. Gonna try saltwater next

[@PaulCellura]

Ive learned more in watching this 12 minute video than I have the last year fishing on my own. Does your book have anything on reading the beach?

[@jokester07104]

Quick question! Do you prefer to fish at sunrise at the beach or do you also follow the tides? In you opinion which time do you think best to fish the beach for stripers? I ask because I'm from Jersey and found that in the rivers such as the Hudson the most action I've had has always been the outgoing tide. I had some on the incoming but not as much as the latter. Thanks

[@mikeffishes2231]

Hey john I'm going to be in montaulk this weekend we're is a good place to fish

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

They did bump up in price I guess when they changed to the VMC hooks. They're still worth the money as long as you're not feeding them to bluefish.

[@ryanlesko574]

Have you ever done any fishing near Fairfield CT?

[@icebear2738]

As always thank you for all your videos. I have a question. I just bought a lamiglas surf king 9 feet with a penn battle 5000 reel. Is this a good combination ? Also I got a 20 pound test spiderwire stealth camo braid. Do you think this pound test line is good for surf fishing using the strike plugs I also bought couple strike plugs Darker , needle , swimmer. Please let me know I'm trying to catch my first fish using either bucktails or plugs. Thanks

[@SHABAZZTRIBE]

HEY JOHN, DO THE RED EYED POPPERS PERFORM BETTER WITH A FASTER RETRIEVE ? ARE THEY MUCH FASTER SINKING?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not much faster sinking, and the retrieve would be only slightly faster.

[@SHABAZZTRIBE]

COOL. THANKS A LOT JOHN.

[@andrewhouse1795]

Hey john could you do a video of bucktails in a inlet

[@csralumni]

John, what made you decide to use the popper here instead of a bucktail?

[@simedogz]

Do you recommend 15lb powerpro braid or 30lb PowerPro braid for the surfcasting you do? Does the 15 cast that much further than the 30. One last question, what is the max weight you would use with 15lb braid? Thanks

[@thelurewasher]

John do you find yourself using mono over flouro when plugging? Also what reasoning behind that?

[@SHABAZZTRIBE]

Hi, Another question John, does your color preference change on full moons vs new moons?

[@MrAwesomeglock]

Why do you remove the drag spring? Is it because of spooking fish? Great videos will be buying your book.

[@KrisGoldsmith]

In one of your eel videos you mentioned being "obsessed with the hookset" and it was clear that you slammed the hook in about five times. It didn't look like you did that while using this plug. Am I missing it, or are you not setting the hook as many times or as hard?

[@user-rs2zx3mc7k]

How do you cast so far? I can only get my lure out like 50 feet.

[@reggie50fishing87]

I noticed that some guys throw them back. What size or how large can stripes be to keep them....I even the one's that I saw u throw back I would keep. Look like great eating. Lol

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

legal limit is 28 inches in these videos.

[@NeekzGoneFishin]

Awesome! what type and what lb test line you using? cheers mate!

[@julianojanuario6383]

Learning a lot from your videos. How much do high tides/low tides play a role in striper fishing? I’m from ct & I’m just starting to realize how great our salt water fishery is. I’m an avid fresh water fisherman but still new to the salt life.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The right tide depends on the particular spot. You just have to put time in to figure out what works.

[@lukeformisano1468]

I use them plugs too what's your favorite color

[@proplay51]

John, I heard you say you're using a mono leader as opposed to flourocarbon. Does it really not matter... is flourocarbon leader in general just over rated???

[@209ers]

What's a good rod setup for the popper?

[@calvinhmystic]

do you ever use zara spooks for striped bass?

[@marcesposito2435]

Hi John, first off thanks for the videos. I'm just getting into fishing and I've learned a ton watching them. Quick question on the clip you mention you use between the leader and the plug. I typically throw sp minnows and swimbaits and someone told me I shouldn't use the clip because they don't swim properly. Is there any truth to that? I ask because I'm still not the fastest with the knots and as a result I don't swap out lures as often as I would like. Thanks again!

[@Tomatoman857]

John, I'm finding those lures at 18-$20 online. Anywhere you could suggest that's affordable? Jim in Kent, CT

[@elitem3]

what kind of rod are you using buddy? and reel..

[@americanadventure6037]

what is a solid rod and reel setup for landing stripers and blues?

[@vincentlafranchi25]

+American Adventure You want something that can handle the weight you're throwing. I use a 10ft lami when the season picks up. It's rated 2-5oz with 20-50lb line rating. I used 30lb power pro linked to about 40-50lb pink flouro leader.

[@andytong6032]

hi John where is this place at?

[@johnkramer4970]

Hi John...What do you thing about the Super Srike Zig Zag Darter?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

A great night lure. Most of my darter fishing is done with those plugs.

[@__TheWiseMan__]

What time of year, and time of day did you do this?

[@carloszarate2293]

John, what pole and reel are you using in this video?

[@joejoe11290]

Where are you fishing in this video

[@hotpancakes25]

I have a question u said you are using the sinner plug are u keeping it on the surface or below

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

surface popping

[@Jschlosser316]

What tide do you utilize when fishing this way?

[@ganapa999]

Thank you @ jskinner5278, Great Video. Please let me where can I learn more about fish type, tides, lure, bait etc for surf casting. I am from India and live close to the Arabian sea (Goa/Mangalore) region. Would you know about the type of fish and behaviour in these regions. I am asking because i may be doing something really wrong or there are very few good fish for surf casting? Thanks Again!

[@easter543]

What is the name of that rod?

[@filipbahunek2504]

where do you buy these poppers?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

15 is very light - use 30.

[@nisaryousouf8633]

Is 12 or 15 pound test good? And how far should I cast out, also is a kastmaster good to or no.

[@cornsnakesplayairsof]

Nisar Yousouf 12 to15 i use 30 lb with a 50 lb leader

[@Bobkov97]

if i were fishing out in the ocean, how good of a bluefish bite might i get with a pencil NOT during a blitz.