My 12 Must Have Surf Fishing Gear Items - Holiday Gift Ideas!

[@jobino511]

One essential possibly life saving piece of affordable equipment is a compass. If fishing the flats (some on the cape go out for 8/10ths of a mile) and the fog comes in, it'll help you not walk into a channel and get you back to shore before the tide fills in behind you. Also, I noticed some blades on pliers are not replaceable, or are made to be replaceable but the blades are not available. It's best to check you can get new blades if needed before buying the plier, especially the cheaper. Once purchased, I would use locktite on the blades even when new. I've had multiple blades fall off before any significant use! Thanks John! Have 2 of your books on my Christmas list, so I don't get a tie this year!

[@charlesmurray1220]

Regarding pliers. I purchased the KastKing 7" Cutthroat and bought extra blades at time of original purchase so I'd have'em when needed. That said, good advise! Some nice features - split ring tip, barb crusher, serrated jaws, lanyard - but still not totally happy with them. A few, maybe 6, hook removals and now the jaws don't totally line up, register with each other. They're a little tweaked from torquing the hooks out. And that promises to get worst. Also the holster belt clip is fairly flimsy and is made to spin around so, inadvertently dumping your pliers in the drink. I don't know about the designers but I want my plier holster to stay in an upright position. I guess we get what we pay for - $24. I wouldn't think to bring a compass when wading but Silva USA does make some very compact and reliable compasses: silva-usa.com/collections/orienteering-compasses/products/arc-jet-omc

[@johncole5297]

John I took my brand new John Skinner surf rod to the beach this week and caught my first ever striper. Keep up the great content and inspire more people like me to try surf fishing.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing that and enjoy the rod!

[@hossprey]

Im waiting for the Dark Matter "John Skinner Series" Propeller Inspection Bibs

[@robertstorms5539]

I think you mean the John Skinner series Life preserver or flotation device with John's face on them

[@johnrudy9404]

Well, does that include the Brother Baton ? For topside discipline.

[@robertstorms5539]

@@johnrudy9404 Are you referring to the John Skinner catch and release net that doubles as a rescue device? I ordered that net right after I saw that you can catch overboard swimmers with it.

[@fishingthesalt1]

Pretty spot on for what i run for gear also , the only thing i dislike is the bag. Im upgrading my bags and bucktail pouches this year to sailcloth. Digging hooks out of the fabric has run its course.

[@livenhfree]

Not fishing related... but LOVE the brick treatment behind you. I looks really nice. Gives me an idea for my 40yo fireplace. :-)

[@rosco3659]

That’s a lot of waders John . I have one wader and two shoes , cleated boots like yours and a pair of Teva sandals, the sandals allow for a lot of mobility as they’re light weight comfortable and easy to put on. Thanks for the videos also I’ve been enjoying them for years .

[@markstafford4015]

I would love to try surf fishing !!

[@charlesmurray1220]

Golden Mr. Skinner. Golden! 🙏

[@IRFilter]

boat edition would be nice

[@latest509]

I like how tactical this guy is when it comes to selecting fishing equipment.

[@blakebishop7060]

Would like to see what you would recommend for cold weather kayak night fishing. What would you use to outfit your kayak and what would you wear.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

100% a wetsuit. Other than a light, I don't think the kayak would be rigged differently.

[@chazbickel4518]

I wear a NRS 3/2 Farmer John under the NRS kayak fishing bibs, and my Patagonia wading jacket with NRS Boundry boots. Bibs and jacket block wind and water but will not fill with water (there arent any gaskets), neoprene alone is cold, the wind rips right through it. With the wetsuit and the PFD you are buoyant if you end up in the water. You need a light attached to your PFD. You need a stern light, and bow lights Yakattack makes a good stern light flag pole combo. You need an air horn and marine radio. You need flares. I live in the NW and that's what I have in the daytime. Water is 40 to 45 usually. You can bring a dry bag with layers if you need to add a hoodie or long johns.... I sometimes launch or return to the ramp in the dark, but I do not reccomend kayak fishing in the dark especially in the ocean. When things go sideways it's difficult.

[@billkehrli112]

Great Photo!!!

[@EverthingSaltwater]

can you do a must have list for boat fishing?

[@scottsasanecki4106]

GREAT STUFF as always John. I appreciate everything you do. Thanks again

[@FMorgigno1]

Excellent and informative video John.

[@josephhans9510]

This was very helpful! Thank you

[@thugnificiantgucci1140]

Been watching for years. The age of that boga grip and its conditionin is amazing ; that boga grip is in better shape than me and im younger.

[@ShooterQ]

I'm really surprised that more shooting gear hasn't been adapted for surf fishing yet like the kydex molding for tools has. Tons of belt options, lightweight chest rigs for equipment, compartments for plugs, etc.

[@jamesmcgee140]

Great video

[@nicholascapuano9877]

i would say it’s worth getting a bag in the $200-$300 range (gear up/odm/flatlander) if you’re doing a lot of rock hopping or wet suiting.

[@ericbak1127]

Always a joy to see a new video

[@Nightrangersb]

Hi John. Great coverage of the basics. Maybe a stupid question but what do you wear under a wetsuit? Is it just skin under there?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Bathing suit.

[@jessegraham1004]

I prefer longer pliers that don’t involve me getting my hands anywhere near those hooks.

[@wadeirwin7003]

I was trying to unhook a bluefish by grabbing it with my left hand and unhooking with my right when the fish did a violent flipping which drove two of the treble hooks into my left hand. No fun ripping those things out! It’s pliers for me no matter what the fish is.

[@totalnoobfishing1753]

John Skinner S&S Dark Matter Breathable Waders .... now accepting pre-orders

[@TonyCantShoot]

What headlamp is that

[@gennerobootz6490]

This summer I’m definitely getting into more surf fishing I wanna get a 10 ft gsb or a 10 ft seage

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

GSB is a great rod. Not familiar with the other.

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing the st croix seage the new one they came out with a year ago I checked it out it’s really nice and it’s only 300 dollars I’m either going with the gsb 10m or the st croix 10 m I wanna get your rod but the 10 ft is a one piece I can’t fit that in my car

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I know you fish with your own rods now but next time your in j&h tackle check out the st Croix seage

[@fishingthesalt1]

​@gennerobootz6490 The GSB is nice , it's a parabolic rod and its a tank. I personally stay clear of St Croix , ST Crack as I call them. I went with ODM rods , they have the DNA which is in your price point 2nd season on the 10ft 3/4-4 also have a 9ft 1/2 to 3 which I use for albies and fluke ,early season stripers.

[@KP11520]

They make long surgical hemostats. Have you ever considered them for removing deep hooks and lures?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not enough gripping power. Fortunately it's extremely rare that I hook a fish deeply, but the tough jaws, teeth, and thrashing can be a challenge. Controlling them with the Boga helps a lot.

[@KP11520]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Thank You! Can't argue with that much experience!

[@demalitioninc.344]

I feel like I use the same rods over and over again but don’t quite understand what’s what?!? A video explaining what rod specs actually mean (ex. Medium fast medium heavy fast moderate heavy etc) I need like a John skinner reading your rod for dummies crash course!

[@mrhanky5555]

Great vid as usual John. What’s the word with SS? Running really low on bucktails

[@duffmeister6480]

Their back in business under the name S&S JIGS, according to their Face Book page, I haven’t seen any yet. Hopefully next spring.

[@bcask61]

Does anyone know a bootfoot wader that comes in size 14? I have trouble finding big boots and I hate stocking foot waders with boots.

[@TheBoroFishing]

you should try odm rods

[@DannyGray1]

My wife really wants to know where she can get me Skinner Striper bucktails 😅

[@BassSwirls]

My gear is so minimal now. Travelling light and believing in the few lures you have sets you free to focus on presenting that certain lure the way it needs to be. Less is more in my books. That's coming from a guy who used to haul a tackleshop around.

[@Nightrangersb]

That is my problem. Good to hear I may evolve.

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@BrawlRobloxAndGo]

What about gloves, especially for the casting hand

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've never had a need for them, even when throwing heavy stuff.

[@potcrak1]

On the click photo Skinner is either reeling in a fish over his shoulder or he caught a rock on shore.

[@pastapaul150]

Are you serious?

[@potcrak1]

No I'm not. @@pastapaul150

[@ingyham]

Wear stockingfoot waders on sand beaches without boots

[@Lower48travels]

40 dollar pliers and a 90 bag. Not that expensive he says! Lol

[@SamuelPulis]

Wow youre really channeling fishing media outlets pretty hard