Surf Fishing Trip Explodes With This Lure!

I was on fish that just wouldn't eat, but that all changed when I switched to this rather large and bright colored spook lure! This plug became available this year and is now the only lure of this class that I fish with. It casts extremely far for what it is and I was surprised how the fish reacted to the rather strange color!
---------Gear and Stuff------
Online Fishing Course Discounts - www.saltstrong.com/skinner
John Skinner Surf Rod - bit.ly/3lqoIss
Reel - bit.ly/2NODN8L
Dark Matter Spook Lure (Bunker) - bit.ly/3ojdJow
Savage Gear Pencil Lure - amzn.to/39ye8KW
Dark Matter Pencil - bit.ly/3lt4LRE
Line (40#) - amzn.to/3B2hRw0
Leader (50#) - bit.ly/2Vowqq9
Pliers - amzn.to/3urjdOT
Surf Bag - bit.ly/2IGGuau
Belt Plier Holder: bit.ly/2n3g0Xa
Belt Boga Carrier: bit.ly/2mx4vXZ
Boga Grip: bit.ly/2PN4ltr
Surf Belt: amzn.to/310g2hJ
Wading Shoes: bit.ly/2YPwpyx
Spiked Felt Korker Sole: amzn.to/2YMEy9L
Tennis Elbow Arm Band: amzn.to/3u9RBh7
Knee Pads (Similar): amzn.to/2Y31tOk
David Dunleavy Performance Fishing Apparel - lddy.no/ykp8
John Skinner Striper Pursuit Book - amzn.to/3ceIQYp
The above are affiliate links.

[@napping1728]

A true fishing genius, one of the only fishermen that shows techniques for getting the initial bite,and explains why he does what he does….give him likes and subs

[@thelinecook]

Thank you so much for showing how fast you work the popper!! I can’t express how much I learn from this channel. I really am trying to apply your teachings to NJ waters and hopefully this fall I can get into some good ones. Thanks for the great video!!

[@fishingbuddyph8786]

Nothing gets your blood flowing more than seeing a fish exploding on your top water lure. And sometimes you just have to go through your whole arsenal of lures until you find the ONE. The one that works. Another awesome video, John... Thanks for sharing!

[@mrlarry999]

Thanks for showing your retrieval speed and technique at the beginning of the video. That was very helpful!

[@Clambelly]

I grew up in Montauk surfing, skin diving, surfcasting, saltwater fly-fishing, inshore / offshore, worked on the docks, commercial boats and eventually took up spearfishing which became the ultimate pursuit particularly incoming tide fall run bass blitz at The Point. If you ever watched the video documentary -- I knew everyone of those characters, insluding Gary "Toad" Stevenson, Paul Melnick and the other beach bums. Nothing quite like swimming with the fish, pulled around the lighthouse while dodging breakers, boats and surfcasters. Pleased to find your channel. I like your style, tone and format. I always swapped out treble hooks for singles, and debarbed the hooks. That was something that I learned from the old master Al Urban who almost single-handedly developed many of the techniques used in pursuit of big cow bass. Yeah, I knew the Sekoras too when they making jigs, umbrella rigs and tying the very first surgical tube lures !

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Some history there!

[@joconnor4511]

So happy that the bite is starting up again, caught some nice blues today down in Jersey

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

I love when you say “ leader check “ it’s soo important. I’ve lost fish from a compromised leader. I gotta hit up j & h and get the new dark matters . Awesome video as always John 🤙🏻🤝🎣👍🏻

[@BStavFishing]

Great video. The fishing world is a better place when you think out loud on your videos!

[@jamiehoward5591]

Nothing like a top water bite on a calm overcast day!!!

[@nathanmorkovsky2855]

Thank you for sharing very good information🎣

[@heyreddin2.0s10]

Hats off to ya Mr. Skinner.

[@johnvaness8445]

Great video, thanks.

[@fishermansmobileweighstati3645]

Ah, my fav vids! Nice to see some life out there.

[@luisfontanez7110]

Watching you fish, is attending online fishing seminars. Can't wait for your next fishing adventure.

[@TriboroFishing]

You the man skinner!!

[@BassSwirls]

Superb action... that last fish... Horse!

[@smokster0604]

It's like a surf bag full of colorful candy for fish.....Fish on...Walking the dog

[@danifudodanifudont]

I just bought Striper Pursuit for my trip to Puerto Rico. I look forward to reading it. I learned a lot from Fishing for Summer Flounder. I like the QR codes that show you what you're reading about. Hey John! If you ever have a garage sale I want in! 😁

[@nonofyourbusiness954]

Glad to see you pushing the top section of the rod back down. Unfortunately had a rod break because of it loosening up. Thought I was doing something wrong, I don't see alot of conversations on this.

[@damiendinkins2783]

Mr. Skinner another LI legend. Thanks for the content.

[@myoni1234]

Wow Nice fishing spot👍 Big size fish👏🎣

[@TheRustedHook]

In that nice calm surf the spook makes sense...A pencil sometimes is just too much in those calmer conditions...

[@montanatatum9598]

I actually find that when the light gets dimmer the quality goes up, because with the light and auto tracking it’s always tracks the base of your rod rather than the open water.

[@hhprogressiveconstruction1140]

Learning something new switching up the lures .

[@cyborgnj]

Been wearing that same OTC Bandit band for years, best one if ya get elbow pain

[@jcarry5214]

Man this makes me homesick. I moved from the east bass waters to a western mountain a few years ago. I'm getting to try all kinds of gnarly new things like elk hunting but I might miss nightfall over the ocean and a nine foot rod as much as I miss my sisters.

[@markbass354]

BIG BATE BIG FISH

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Dude I love your surf casting videos !! That last bass was huge ! I love top water action. I can’t wait when hit the maingroves this winter 🎣🤙🏻🤝 still work to do here right? October/November.. I gotta get out. Skunked 3 days in a row … 🤦‍♂️ …

[@jayeagle8363]

That an awsome lure john ..been fishing along the lines of those colors all summer ...spoons buctails and savage gear sand eels in 5/0 oz. Green yellow and orange and bone are getting the fat sallys 😂😁✌🇨🇦❤...love your videos your a great angler.

[@RileyReneau]

How am I not subscribed to you yet? Great content my dude.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Welcome aboard!

[@bobbymartin2604]

Hey John. I really enjoyed using your bouncing jigging rod for fluke this summer. I think I might have to buy this rod too. Great video and great products

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm glad you like the jigging rod! I took my time with both rods to get things right and it really worked out well. Both rods exceeded my initial goals.

[@michaelyanosov147]

Those fish look yummy!

[@GazBoyZ]

The lures don’t really matter which you use if the fish are there they are biting especially if they are in schools they will go for anything that moves but if its few single lone wolf fish here n there then i would recommend bucktail with gulp worm mid speed retrieve with rod taps after every 3 reel rotations

[@firedude4080]

SKINNER HAS GONE MAD....Where is Nurse Ratchet!!!? Hahahahaha

[@Flukeallday]

That rock has seen so many fish.

[@carlosamaral7356]

John the true Master at Surf Fishing thank you for the beginning of the video with the technique which is most helpful. Quick question which real are you pairing up with that dark matter rod? Is it the 6,000 or the 4,000 saltx

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

6000

[@ras124]

Hi John, I strained my right inner elbow in the spring overcasting for blues/stripers

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That band-it thing has worked well for me.

[@walterkonopacki5860]

Hey John, Have you used your boat much this summer, have an 85 17' sea nymph center console 90 hp mariner. Always like seeing another guy fishing a boat that does not require a 2nd mortgage. Have a good fall season before heading down south. Tight Lines ! Walt from NJ

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Soon. Been lots of wind lately.

[@gregdorey3394]

Your cadence on the spook retrieve looks better.

[@jointchief4151]

Hey John. Love your vids. what method do you use to tie the leader to your main line?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I go through a small stainless barrel swivel. Palomar knot on the braid, clinch on the leader.

[@bryine.willis8683]

Seen the step

[@mattbobsong680]

I was in that same spot two nights ago and it was phenomenal fishing. Had two over thirty several between 15 and low twenties and half a dozen slot sized

[@kingbulldog107]

I was there tonight, I hit 4 fish in the 40 Lb. class and 2 50’s

[@totalnoobfishing1753]

Guess it's no secret honey hole...

[@rafaeldias5605]

Where is this point?

[@totalnoobfishing1753]

@@rafaeldias5605 I'm sorry did you just ask that in the comments section of a KZbin video? Why you must indeed be an ole' sharpie...well seasoned fisherman!

[@scottsasanecki4106]

John.....have you had good luch with the tsunami salt x? I read so many bad reviews about it I'm hesitant. Great video as usual.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I love those reels. No issues, except lost a drag clicker spring on my 4000.

[@jimpatterson3014]

John, try KT tape… after using it on my elbow area for a few days… pain went away! Just my two cents

[@whome8845]

I fish the Sound on the CT side from New London to Westport and the fishing has been scary bad, then I go into the nice new Costco in Miami. And see double pack of 12 inch schoolies for $11 or so?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Those are farm-raised.

[@agustinguzman6375]

how far does that cast go?

[@tylerpepe8226]

What size tactical anglers clip are you using on your heavier stripper rigs

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

75#

[@Tristan1990.]

Hi John, Question about the hooks on the plugs you use. I have been experimenting with removing the rear hook and just running a single treble hook on my plugs to avoid fouling the rear hook somewhere on the gill plate/eye etc. I notice usually you run both sets of hooks and curious if you have tried this and would recommend this type of hook format when fishing plugs? Thanks!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I have tried replacing the tail hook with a single, both here and in Florida. I went back to trebles with crushed barbs.

[@thegoodkingtony]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I had to scroll through a few videos to find my answer, but I knew it'd be there somewhere. Any thoughts on filing vs. just crushing the barbs? Thanks, John!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

@@thegoodkingtony Crushing is easy and fast and does the job.

[@tymcsherry]

John, you gave up on the Doc and the Jigging world spook? Is this plug that much better? Thanks

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I started with the Doc, but definitely like the Jigging World spook better. This one casts even better than that and is slightly easier to keep on the surface. All three work well. I like having this one in different colors, although I was surprised at how well they took the strange green color.

[@CurrentJAM]

Do you not get wind knots when you retrieve like that? It happens to me so often that I tend to put pressure on my line with the hand that holds the rod, to try and prevent it.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I do not. One thing I forgot to mention is that it's important to allow slack in the line between pumps of the spook.

[@architectjk]

Why doesn't the GoPro offer John a new model?

[@7citiesfishing]

Man can't beat some topwater!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Agreed. The visuals and the sounds on calm water never lose their thrills.

[@7citiesfishing]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing yes! Silence then boom madness

[@RodeoFishing]

goat

[@Graphics21]

Alright, im gonna pull the trigger and get the Dark Matter rod 😎😂😎😎

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

You won't regret it. Thanks for your support.

[@Graphics21]

@@JohnSkinnerFishingI trusted your word plus you have evidence to back it up 😂😎😎 Tight lines.

[@joebonanno8508]

John …. If you don’t mind me asking … when fishing the north shore are you looking to cast in and around large boulders ? Reason why I ask is I more of south shore guy and understand the whitewater concept . But the north shore has me puzzled . Are you looking to cast in and around large boulders ? Do the fish hang around the structure ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Absolutely the fish are usually around the rocks. I actually found the fishing back in Riverhead Town easier because the rocks stuck out of the water because it's shallower there.

[@joebonanno8508]

John …. May I ask another question. What’s your preference . Surf fishing the north shore or south shore ? Is one more predictable then the other .

[@wc164]

John do the hooks on this spook tangle together often? I have a lil doc lure and it works great but seems like it tangles the hooks together alot

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not on this one. It carries 4/0 VMCs.

[@wc164]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks one on the way👍

[@bernardescobar6952]

Hey where is this at?

[@jvgarage2524]

Are you using the John Skinner Rod? Is yes, is it fine to be throwing heavy lures since is rated 1-3oz, spooky lure pretty heavy

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes, and rod ratings are never a hard fast rule, but more of a sweet spot. I probably should have them up it to 4 ounces though.

[@trevorshao]

wow nice, you at the eastern or mid section of long island?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

east

[@trevorshao]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing guess fall season starts earlier for the east cuz westend here still quiet

[@gigliott2000]

Do you ever switch to a subsurface plug or bucktail or shad when they miss it once?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not there. I want to give them something big on the surface.

[@totalnoobfishing1753]

Now available in stores John Skinner Dark Matter Tennis Elbow brace

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Ha! No need to improve on that one I'm wearing. I almost never fish without it now.

[@TackleAdvisors]

First lure I designed from the ground up = Skinner Approved!!!!!!!!!!!!! !@#$in awesome!!!!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

You did a good job!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

And "Skinner Approved" is meaningless. It's the "Stripers Approved" in this video that's worth something!

[@amos61905]

Well now I have to get one. My favorite tackle guy and favorite fishing guy haven’t steered me wrong yet.

[@theSairsoft1]

Any reports on albies on the north fork?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No, and I've been watching for them. They were in the Race real well before the Ida remnants, but not so much since then.

[@theSairsoft1]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thank you, I've heard of some in Montauk. Very spotty though.

[@granpappy8888]

Comment 1. Just finished BUCKTAIL BOOK 🤘

[@slowburn_1725]

Now I'm writing this before I even watch your video Mr.Skinner, now that being said I'm pretty sure you're the guy that can throw a banana peel with one hook in it and catch whatever species is in the water....! 👍

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

That’s him !!! isn’t he awesome! My dad has been watching him for years. The guy is super talented. He’s like the Billy the Greek of the north shore. Salt strong 💪🏻 tight lines ! 🤝

[@kevinclose6728]

What type of attachment are you using to be able to change lures so quickly? I'd have been 5 minutes re-tying every change😁

[@robg836]

A tactical angler clip

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

75# Tactical Anglers clip.

[@chasef14]

Thoughts on use of single hooks? Do you think it decreases hook-ups?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've tried, and they did. I think I'll revisit the inline single on the tail hook on this new plug.

[@chasef14]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing cool thanks! Starting to do it on the tail as well

[@jcarry5214]

I tried the armband when I was surf fishing a lot but it didn't do a thing. I'm young but my elbow got dislocated a few times as a kid so it was probably too much to ask.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Right. Dislocation isn't the same as just plain wear and tear. I hope it improves for you.

[@jcarry5214]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks brother. For most guys it’s a game changer, glad it’s working for you.

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Good morning Johnny , any signs of Albies yet ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

None. There were a bunch in the Race before the Ida remnants came, but very few anywhere since that I'm aware of.

[@scottsasanecki4106]

Do you change the hooks on the deadly dicks? And do you take off the swivel and attached directly to the split ring?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use the hardware that comes with it.

[@dashriprock5720]

I hate when greeter fish spray me with cologne.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Awesome comment.

[@LongIslandLethals]

Is that a one piece rod John? Nice fish coming in, I've been hearing the fishing has been very slow as of late.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's a 2-piece, but a 70/30 split so feels like a 1-piece.

[@Jbennyho]

The fishing is never slow for Skinner.

[@someguy5543]

In coming or out going

[@ahmedkhydor5214]

Please tell us where do you fish

[@er315631]

Sounds like you’re the one exploding 3:58

[@dannyrivas6642]

John where's that location

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

North Shore, Long Island, NY

[@dougbrodsky3745]

I know where he is. Lol.

[@alecudell2962]

@@dougbrodsky3745 where lol

[@shawndrag1009]

You obviously know those spots well and how the fish hold up there. But myself, if I go 20 casts without a hit I'm always conflicted about changing color, changing plugs, changing depth, or maybe the fish just aren't there yet and could be moving in any minute, so keep doing the same. 🤷

[@thereelraconteur7801]

This is all deep fake CGI stuff. I noticed the green screen at one point. Nobody is that good at fishing.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Ha! That would be some skill to have.

[@thereelraconteur7801]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I'm certain you wouldn't trade for the skills you actually have. There are million Gen Z animators out there and only one J. Skinner. And not a single one of them has a signature surf blank.

[@bobgill4069]

Is the spook lure a J and H product or a Salt Strong product? If it's JH I'm all over it but if it's a salt strong product I'm out. They used to be a great channel but now they just push product and have the annoying brother Joe take charge of all videos and he's just obnoxious and likes to aggravate his customers. LIKE DIAMONDSSS!!!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Spook is J&H Dark Matter.

[@bobgill4069]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing EXCELLENT! I will be placing an order with J&H. Thanks John.