Savage Jig Fishing Bite Tests New Rod - Can I Break It?

I was surprised to find big angry fish stacked in a place I haven't caught them before. It was a great opportunity to abuse my new rod (bit.ly/45GoMej). Supports several chapters in my new book, Fishing the Edge - Techniques and Tales from Surf, Boat, and Kayak: amzn.to/3TQtFvq.
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Rod, Reel, Line, Lure:
NEW John Skinner Dark Matter Inshore Rod: bit.ly/45GoMej
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Fish De-hooker: amzn.to/432vLNf
Diamond Jig Rod: bit.ly/3QsR6ch
Tube and Worm Rod: bit.ly/3PEhPCX
Diamond Jig Glow: bit.ly/3Q4yIXk
Miscellaneous Gear:
Breathable Slickers: bit.ly/3niFm2S
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Fishfinder Coastmaster Chart - bit.ly/34KEcQo

[@tjaaw]

that last blue almost came aboard! the shot of the school chasing your lure right to the surface was awesome. blues are one of the strongest fish and have amazing stamina and heart. they just never give up. you rarely need to revive them for release.

[@JhanDeCal]

Seen a lot more blues in the Western Sound this season than I have in the past 5-6 years. Some of em were huge. ❤❤❤

[@chomidore3]

New rod looks great - love the color. I have the 6'3" version of your jig & bounce spinning rod, been a lot of fun to use this summer!

[@njsalt776]

That bluefish fight never gets old🤙

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I know. I have to admit that was fun.

[@lamiglass1]

So many people badmouth blues but I welcome bluefish because they one strong fish. Seeing that tease of a school of blues to the surface was pretty cool

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I used to catch nice blues in the Gulf Of Mexico in the winters, maybe up to 10 lbs. They always reminded me of jacks in a way, they're aggressive and fight pretty hard. I remember being thankful that they were around and hungry on cold days (cold to a FL native). I remember them eating some pretty big mullet, maybe 10" long. They were warriors.

[@wallacesmith865]

10 pound blue fight like a 30 pound striper

[@JhanDeCal]

I love the fight but I try to make sure I don't get that slime all over the hull...that bluefish slime is hard to clean. 😊

[@phillymanpete]

The Wolf Pack stops by at 20:33 . That was awesome!

[@joshrussell9460]

That was awesome. Love fighting big bluefish, that rod certainly can handle whatever you encounter. Ill be checking that out. Thanks john as always !

[@bobthompson9890]

So many people consider Blues the biggest nuisance fish around, but man are they fun to catch. I don't eat any of them no matter what the size or what the recipe (so please don't reply with the, "you haven't tried them my way 😊" , but they can make for a fun afternoon

[@Tracker7266]

Well said. Lots of fun to catch but I just don't like eating them. Period.

[@davidbulanowski1091]

It's been afew years since I've had a chance to hit blues in any numbers and size in Jersey. I miss the days when they were around like that all summer long. They're not anyone's favorite fish to eat, but they're fun to catch, and quite a workout. That new rod looks great. Got the wheels turning in my head, but my wife would kill me in my sleep if I bought another one now. And she'd spot that one in a heartbeat.

[@ShooterQ]

20:32 WHOOAAA!!!!! I've only seen that happen before with snappers.

[@walterkonopacki5860]

Hey John, always appreciate trips in your boat. Thanks walt ( member John skinner tin boat fleet 1985 sea nymph 17' cc)

[@BrassHammer]

I like the aft pole cam view!

[@drewjames1104]

Great video John. Most fisherman do not like steel leaders, but I guess they are good to keep around if the blues are robbing rigs or lures!

[@mikeknottscreek8183]

Amazing how those 4-5 bluefish followed that tangled jig to the surface. They were really interested.

[@johnfishing2195]

Good job, amazing rod fishing

[@GODZclaN11]

I have been using a circle hook on my diamonds this season. Work nicely for blues.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I'd say you tested the rod. When I used to catch bluefish in the winter in Florida they were warriors. We were happy to battle the bigger ones. But schools of little ones made trolling for mackerel close to the beach really tough. I remember seeing them piling up on each other trying to get the bait, it was wild. I never caught big ones trolling, only from seawalls and shore based. When nothing else was hungry they would give you a fight. I just got an Ugly Stik Inshore Carbon rod to try. It should be a lot more sensitive than my regular Ugly Stiks. I've started figuring out the flounder around the Chesapeake and those heavy rods suck for jigging. So hopefully the graphite one will be better, it's got a medium action and fast tip.

[@dannyblue4040]

Hey John. You make it look so easy. You never go out and make the action of fishing look uneventful. Where were you fishing during this video? I'd sure like to go out there and give it a shot.

[@vipergeddy]

John these blues looked like the blue angels flying up after the jig that was AWESOME had to rewind a few times 🎉

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Really startled me.

[@jamesjannell8706]

Oh my great stuff John. Funny we were hitting similar size blues on vineyard sound last Friday. By the way, what pole do you use for the gopro ??? Cheers James

[@TheGgsoccer]

I was fishing the gut a while back and saw a boat that looked like yours! It must’ve been one of your buddies because he said he was a better angler jokingly and said you weren’t out today 😂

[@JoeToz]

20:30 put the playback speed @ .25 One time there was a plastic bag floating in the water so I casted to it and hooked it to get it out of the water. As I was reeling it in 2 Blues blew up on it. Guess they thought it was a jellyfish?

[@lenmaltese309]

Looks like you had a good arm work out!

[@kweeks10045]

Take it to Florida and break it in on some big Jack Crevalle or tarpon. I know you mostly do inshore or close to shore fishing while you're in Florida. However, some triple tail or even blackfin would really stretch it's legs.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Oh for sure jacks and tarpon will be pulling on that rod.

[@christopherdiesso]

Love it John as always. Would love to fish with you one day!

[@donkukawski8609]

Just ordered Fishing the edge..I'm 52 and new to saltwater fishing..just got your Fluke setup and love it. Definitely going to order your new spinning setup..has some backbone for sure. Thanks for such informative videos John.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for your support and good luck with the fall fishing!

[@donkukawski8609]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Absolutely!

[@garrymanalili2309]

Sir turn on your ID fish on your menu put on the medium and the large fish that will detect it

[@williamfris3835]

They have a lot of muscle and sharp teeth. Fun to catch!

[@Sir_Defyable]

Man look at the rod in that bend 😮

[@maxsilverstacking1967]

I love Rick and crew but these solo videos even with your brother going for stipers and blues are much better

[@patrickgregory1078]

If bluefish grew to 6ft. there would be no other fish !

[@Tipper23789]

Yo John when can I come fishing with you lol

[@garrymanalili2309]

Yes sir you need to use your 2D 3D and the side imaging but if you just using the 2D then the 3D and side imaging that can collect the fish on your 3D and your side imaging where they're at

[@Drufus6753]

my 8 y/o old is becoming quite the fisherman and he is getting one of the inshore rods for Christmas. Santa is bringing dad the MH jig rod, but I think I may need a 2nd inshore when the ablies come around again next year!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Sounds like good stuff under the tree. Enjoy!

[@MackBolan1]

I’ve never understood the disrespect Blues get by some. Absolutely the most fun Long island fish there is.

[@2SJOLI]

Suasana laut yg sangat indah,,,

[@joeeybs5970]

John, what is the rear grip length on the new spinner? Thanks

[@jayhsu2412]

John refresh my memory what make and size boat do you have? May be looking at something similar to fish around LIS next year.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

1986 Grumman 5.0 Meter Boat.

[@skiphein9177]

Nice new model rod? What brand/size single hook do you use on the diamond jig? Love the stern camera mounting rod. Does a camera accessory company make it or did you craft it? Any drawing available? Thanks for all the videos.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

VMC Siwash 5/0 or 6/0 on the hook. Homemade camera thing.

[@stephenduda947]

Man I'm jealous. The seabass season is closed in NJ for September.

[@Tracker7266]

It sucks but hopefully it will help the fishery. I wish they shut down fluke fishing for a bit. Nothing allowed to be kept. The fluke bite gets worse every year. Shut it down for a year or two and let the fishery bounce back. Lots of other species that are good eats.

[@stephenduda947]

NJ has weird flounder regs. You can keep one larger than 18" and two between 17-18" per person. I had three trips where I caught 5 or more fish bigger than 18" without getting the slots. I also had a few trips where I caught numerous in the slot range without one over 18". I have mixed feelings about the regs but I feel like I had an overall good year.

[@mickmouse92]

I need to find the bluefish!! Did those areas have alot of structure down there and bait?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No bait that I could see, but plenty structure.

[@thizzledrizzleb]

What made you go with a red for the rod

[@Tracker7266]

John, what model Hummingbird are you using? Can't tell from the video or the LINK. Great to see you back on the water. Nice video ! Some days you lose tackle ...it happens. All part of it. ;-)

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Helix 10'' with side scan.

[@Tracker7266]

I just got to the part in the video with the "school" coming after the jig. Holy crap is right !!! That was cool !!

[@Tracker7266]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Thanks !!

[@gennerobootz6490]

What was the black spinning rod you were using?

[@tomlamp7503]

Any luck on the Albies yet?

[@shane6284]

It’s interesting, because I don’t often break off blues even on 30lb mono leader. It must have something to do with water depth and hook setting.

[@patrickgregory1078]

No it's their razor sharp teeth and their vicious strike on their prey!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The bucktail is small, so they just eat the whole thing.

[@shane6284]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing That’s exactly what I was thinking. They are swallowing the lure. Great adjustment to the diamond jig. I’m a fly fisherman first, but have a boat on the South Shore. I’m kind of impressed with that rod and real set though, looking into that. I would love an all around set up, do you have any recommendations? Thanks John, love your videos. Tight lines!

[@pj3039]

if you set your drag properly at hookset its less likely to break instantly like that

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The line isn't just breaking. It's being bit off by bluefish teeth.

[@MartinVSmith6334]

In the beginning of this video when you lost 5 rigs did you consider a steel leadern or are you adverse to them?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Absolutely I would not put wire on. Once I figured out what was going on 80# leader pretty much took care of the problem.

[@gennerobootz6490]

Are you going to come out with a mh model of that inshore rod

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not sure.

[@redbull8496]

How big of a fish is this rod able to catch? Just purchased one and want to bring it on a trip down south. Thanks so much!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've landed tarpon to 80 pounds on similar rods.

[@gennerobootz6490]

Is your inshore rod good for rapid jigging for fluke with a bucktail and teaser from the shore ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes. Perfect for that with 1/2-1-ounce jigs.

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing nice you should have it made in blue or black

[@tmik7864]

How do you feel about the ridiculous size and bag limits on seabass ,do you think they're hurting other game fish populations ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm fine with the bag and size limits. I had no trouble getting a limit of 17.5-20-inch fish yesterday afternoon on plain bucktails with no bait or Gulp. I have no proof, but it's my opinion that the demise of the Long Island lobster and winter flounder fisheries are a direct result of the explosion of the seabass population.

[@joejuska5390]

Why not put a wire leader to protect the lure?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Because it would kill the action on the jig and I wasn't initially targeting blues. 80# fluorocarbon leader usually gets the job done.

[@adolfogamboa2952]

Would this rod do good for dock fishing with live bait as well?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Depends on how big the live bait is. What live bait are you throwing?

[@adolfogamboa2952]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I ended up purchasing this rod and threw on a Shimano vanford reel. Def the best rod I have ever owned

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

@@adolfogamboa2952 That's great to hear! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to use it in Florida.

[@lukegavigan5212]

Would this be a good tog rod?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No. Here's my tog rod. bit.ly/3oWVAPu

[@josephchristopher7534]

Can you guess what weight class those blues are running?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

11-14# They were very chunky. So different than the ones I had in the spring.

[@djcarloslira]

Please people remember that fishing from a boat is different from fishing on the beach. 🥴🥴

[@yugoyankoff-vh7in]

Bluefish are great crab bait.