Quiet Beach Was Loaded With Monster Fish! Surfcasting Surprise!

This was the most dead looking surf fishing water you could imagine, until I threw a topwater lure on it! Supports my latest book, Fishing the Edge - Techniques and Tales from Surf, Boat, and Kayak: amzn.to/3TQtFvq.
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Rod, Reel, Line, Lure:
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Dark Matter Pencil Lure - bit.ly/3wD4JkN
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The above are affiliate links.

[@Edizzle15]

My last trip “back east” after moving to Colorado in ‘91 I brought some friends on a road trip. I’m 41 but grew up with a cottage on Misquamicut beach and was deep sea fishing at the age of 4. We went out on the Blackhawk back in 2011 and I won the pool with a 16lb Blue. I must’ve caught 15+ Blues and Stripers and absolutely blew my Colorado friends minds. They quit after catching a few because their arms were so tired. Naturally I couldn’t catch enough to satiate my hunger for catching hard fighting fish. I haven’t been back since but this is making me want to plan a trip as soon as possible. Nothing like hammering Bluefish all day.

[@Reeltime516]

You have to love days like this. It’s why you keep going. Blues in spring are awesome!

[@jessicacallahan9711]

“There in here ! “Haaaaaaaaaa … like a kid on Christmas 🙂🙂

[@johnlanigan4130]

Wow John that was a workout, great morning!

[@udtghost3860]

Amazing skinner, just amazing

[@johnvaness8445]

Great video, glad you had a good day on the water.

[@rayflynn7942]

solid fish John!

[@scottsoucy6186]

That sure looks like fun, Mr. Skinner! I wish we had topwater fishing like that in Michigan!

[@duffmeister6480]

First cast, six twitches ! I told you, you step in the water and the fish swim to you ! Amazing, I like these beach videos the best. Just wish we could see a whole side view of you working that plug. Thanks.

[@1701alpha]

Hoping for some big Blues here on The Cape! Haven't caught one in years!

[@edwinrivera6896]

Haven't caught a fish on top water yet can't wait for my first one

[@cyborgnj]

I always said, if Bluefish got up to 50# or more, we would never be able to land em from shore with the equipment we have lol.

[@max-tx8zb]

What’s the biggest they get up to?

[@joshrussell9460]

Thanks for the mention about that sale . I ordered mine other day from your ladt video . Cant wait to get them after seeing you wear them for so many types of fishing.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

They're excellent, even in warm weather. Thanks for the feedback.

[@carlosllama9979]

Outstanding morning man really nice blues. I remember back in the day going out of sheep’s head Bay on the Helen H.. catching 20 to 25 pound blues now here in South Florida if you catch a 3 to 4 pound bluefish is considered big lol thank you for a great video

[@TheReal.MikeMozz]

John it sounds like those big blues are giving you workout. 😂 Do you wear an apple watch or anything like that while you’re out on your trips? Wonder what your heart rate up to while your crushing them like this.

[@phillymanpete]

Some serious choppers!

[@nicholaswilliams429]

This is why i replace 100% of my topwater and twitch baits with Owner 2/0 and 4/0 single hooks! Catch and release is a dream, they are far stronger than treble hooks, and they have a good bard for confidence! GREAT FISHING!

[@hef-outdoors2116]

had a 17lb blue break 60lb mono just as I landed it. don't use wire but went to 80lb for bucktails and 60lb for plugs. can't afford to lose that stuff now a days!

[@jamielabbe2416]

We are anxiously awaiting for the blues to return to Martha's Vineyard. There are definitely some folks getting them from boats, but we surfcasters are casting, waiting, and longing to see the blues bend the rod!! Great series of fish John!!

[@s3anb0i40]

was there last week and caught my biggest striper off the jetty at menemsha. absolute favorite place to fish

[@Raytheon2]

the train in the background is so soothing

[@stephenfletcher4681]

Wow, those are some bruisers

[@Gondrong78fishing-rf9zt]

Mantap kawan❤❤❤🎉🎉

[@vipergeddy]

Look like tarpin I would hate to be a Manhadein with those guys swimming around lol

[@patrickgregory1078]

I use a one piece butter knife with a ring on one end and a hook on the other works great! And you have a handle to hold to unhook the fish! 🍴

[@PapaMav]

Fun

[@westtide]

Bluefish are angry 24/7. Very nice control and release in waders. I prefer to get em on land.

[@greggalasso5926]

Ever try to fish the bottom under the feeding blues? Would there be bass or fluke? Unbelievable amount of large blues...nice to see

[@Onewayto2024]

Wow, really awesome John!!! Last month here in SE FL big blues moved in for just a couple of days. I was shocked. The few blues I’ve caught down here were never very big, these were bruisers. All inside the IRL. But it only lasted a few days and it was over. Maybe next spring!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I saw some big ones were caught in SWFL where I winter on Pine Island back in March. Real surprise.

[@shane6284]

Hungry blues will often take even a plug deep. At that point you have to kill. I hear some guys keep the treble mid lure and take off all others to avoid that.

[@DavidSimmons-yw7ib]

John you could catch stripers and blue fish in a mud puddle !

[@tomreilly9295]

In all those big Blue’s did you catch a PB?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

My PB is just over 20#, so nothing close to that here.

[@georgedixon410]

John, great video. We get the same exact sort of bluefish bite here where I am on Long Island, very few feet of water on plugs, blind casting and sight fishing as well. Any idea what brings them in so close and deep into the bays during the spring in recent years ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

They come onto flats in the spring every year. Not sure why.

[@onpointbbq2983]

John what rod and reel setup are you using? Been out of the game for the last 5 years and sold my gear but have the itch to start again. Will be fishing mostly SS sandy beaches mid to eastern LI

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Surf Rod: bit.ly/3Guuvu3 Reel (4000) - bit.ly/43dr17d

[@wish2fish37]

Good video John..as far as losing lures on blues a number of times I lost plugs while fighting a fish in only to discover my line bit off above my leader or at my swivel when I use them.More experienced guys told me other blues most likely bit my line off and sometime bite at swivels.What other explanation would there be?No obstructions where this has occurred.Had a big blue chasing one I had hooked right up to beach this year trying to grasp lure from it.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've not experienced that, but I use very small black swivels.

[@wish2fish37]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Thanks for responding.Know you get tons of comments.

[@lb7325]

Where was the tide at for this, John?

[@robertyacoub9705]

Hey John do you ever get bass mixed with blues in that situation? Or does one species predominate?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I never get bass mixed in with that situation.

[@Tarick-mg6ir]

May I know location? Nice vidoe..

[@Peter-zg3em]

happens brother. i remember your video running singles on a pencil and it just doesn't work. you need that rear treble for a pencil to be a viable plug and once in a blue moon they'll inhale it. i get away with a rear single on spooks but it definitely cuts into hookup rates.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

So few people get that about the singles. Refreshing to read your comment. Thanks.

[@user-zm4pe1mv1c]

Hi John, Are your waders felt or log sole?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Felt.

[@drewjames1104]

Hey John did you try the spook? I’d be curious to see if they’d hit it as good as the pencil.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I did not, but I suspect they would have hit it.

[@drewjames1104]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing yea because for me, the spook is more enjoyable. The pencil is way more effort, but it is deadly for sure.

[@1515732]

The more you fish the luckier you get!

[@pastapaul150]

Don’t think luck has anything to do with it with him

[@jimmyc4493]

I had a night like this a couple of weeks ago. I caught so many blues I was praying I would get a cast or two without a fish because my arms were getting tired. What a good problem to have

[@andrewscardina7077]

How many casts total do you think you took in this spot or any spot before you leave

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It depends on too many things, like why I'm there in the first place and how much confidence I have in it. This particular trip, I'm out of there if no life after 20 casts.

[@willie-the-fisherman]

Good catch, what is the name of the beach ?

[@richardbauman4731]

EASTERN LONG ISLAND ! Right across from Western Long Island 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@willie-the-fisherman]

@@richardbauman4731 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@zachzaneski8316]

What size barrel swivel do you use connecting braid to leader?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's around a 130# high quality tsunami stainless. They're pretty small.

[@zachzaneski8316]

Okay thank you, was wondering if you used 50lb like ur tactical clip

[@LI_Fishing_and_Knives]

John, you're an absolute wealth of knowledge. I have been having great success with bucktails this year and loving every minute of it. I feel like something has finally "clicked". When you work that plug, are you just steady retrieving while popping the rod?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes. You want to see the plug dance back and forth.

[@melvinthiess7629]

Is there any specific reason for the color pink lure?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Really none at all, but a lot of bait fish do have a pinkish/purpleish back.

[@melvinthiess7629]

Ok, thank you.

[@mypassion830]

Thumbs up 👍

[@Nextlevup]

Nice 👍🏻

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Tuesday's Gone

[@akivaa5863]

How do you know he won't come back and bite you after you release him

[@wethepeople3670]

Because that fish is doing the same thing you would if you got caught and released. Bugging the f@ck out.

[@loneridermj]

Just amazes me, you walk up to a beach not expecting to catch anything and the first cast..Wham.. Any particular reason why you chose that beach not seeing any indicators the fish might be there?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I knew they were moving through the general area, though I was still surprised when the water exploded 3 cranks in.

[@rnmlsrsr8609]

You’re using flouro on surface plugs?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes.

[@rnmlsrsr8609]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing flouro sinks, sometimes using flouro leader ahead of a surface plug can damage the action of the plug. I use mono for my topwater stuff

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That's a great comment. I can see that impacting small lures maybe, but these are pretty big.

[@rnmlsrsr8609]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing not that you have a problem catching any fish obviously, but I find that attention to even the “smallest” details can make a world of difference. I’ve been doing this all my life and I’m still refining my techniques. Trying to have endless growth. Even tho they’re big plugs, you aren’t really gaining anything by using Flouro for that application. I bet using a floating leader would improve the action that much more!

[@rnmlsrsr8609]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing additionally, it’s safer to make harder casts when using a mono leader because of the stretch. It absorbs the shock of the cast that way your rod tip doesn’t take the brunt of it. Takes some heat off your gear

[@scottsluggosrule4670]

use just the center treble..95% hookup far fewer killed fish and injuries to yourself. I had a similar outing years ago..check my video..Sea Isle City Blues..1 after another on Sluggos in the spring. I have a chart at the end that shows the age and pounds per inch. They are 15-20year old blues. One sore arm but great day. Nice video..keep em coming.

[@TheReal.MikeMozz]

Great advice! I’ve had the lure fly out that close end up with hook in your own knuckle that never feels good poop happens 😊

[@mikecinone2699]

A single hook at the back is much easier to get out than a trebble also.

[@christopherdufour6386]

What rod is that

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

bit.ly/3Guuvu3

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

bit.ly/3Guuvu3

[@new2guitar1]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing The 8 footer ?

[@christopherdufour6386]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thank

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes.

[@samoatanielu7318]

What are the odds of u catching the same fish while your fishing

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Zero I think.

[@Legnerps]

Fishing for Mr Skinner must be an absolute bore ... he never gets skunked 😂

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not true. When I target tarpon in Florida skunks are common. When I surfcast for quality bass up here I sometimes skunk too.

[@josenieves9165]

One treble and crushed barbs when gators show up, quick and easy release

[@johnapperson7495]

Blue fish are very plentiful,must have caught well over 300 last year. Bass is what we want .

[@Legnerps]

Yeah blues are fun for the first couple but then they're a pain in the butt ... like pickerel in freshwater I subtract points for anybody that brings one aboard 😂

[@Legnerps]

Yes I agree with you about the stripers. They are such beautiful fish I won't keep them but I love to see them. I don't even need to get them into the boat as long as I see them at the end of the line ... maybe a little jump.... and then be on its way. I fish the coast of Maine for stripers a few times a year. One time I found myself over a huge School of them chasing macks in a back Bay and I could reach down out of the boat and touch them they were so thick but they would not take a lure. Then I saw a seal about 100 feet away with one in his mouth looking at me as though he was bragging. That was so much better than catching a fish myself and one of my favorite experiences on the water ever!

[@johnapperson7495]

Hampton Bays

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm not sure how you could tell in that fog.

[@johnapperson7495]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing fog is what we like , lots of FOG

[@josephgasperetti3972]

Why do seem to horse every fish?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's better for the fish. No need to prolong a fight.

[@georgepress1261]

I use 60 pound leader when bluefish are in. Never lost a plug, metal of bucktail ( knock on wood)

[@jimmyc4493]

I use 60 pound leader also, I haven't lost any lures yet, but when I use a bucktail they definitely tear the leader up that I need to change it after a few catches

[@tlfu6836]

A suggestion: Try removing the tail treble hook from your lure and fish with just one treble on the belly. It will be much easier to release those bluefish, and that one fish that bled out probably would have survived. I fish my lures like that all the time, and I don't see a significant decrease in hook ups. You're also a whole lot less likely to hook yourself.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I will never remove the tail hook on a pencil. Many of the hookups, including large bass, come on the rear hook of a pencil for me.

[@cw2a]

🙏🇺🇸❤️‍🩹🇺🇸🙏

[@gennerobootz6490]

Pls make your 10ft John skinner surf rod in a 2 piece

[@TamponTea]

hey john mute the train. don't blow up the spot