Pencil Popper Surfcasting with Stripers and Bluefish

[@slingoking]

John, from the first person angle, it seems like your retrieve is specifically deliberate. I would love it if you would shoot from the side one day, so i can see how you get that rhythm to your pencil poppers. Looks like a ton of action without an overly fast retrieve. I've always done it differently, but I'd love to see the whole way you do it.

[@Official_JokerMan]

Mr. John Skinner, I just want to thank you for all of your effort and information you put into this channel. I have fished my whole life growing up but never surf casted. I am now a full time surf caster it would have taken me years to learn the amount of information you have provided in these awesome videos. The methods and gear reviews are also 100% spot on and save me LOTS of money. To anyone reading this I also bought his book striper pursuit and he was nice enough to send it signed. And once again I thought I knew it all until reading that book. John you are a surf legend. Thank you for all you have contributed to the NY / NJ surf fishing community. TIGHT LINES brother....looking forward to more videos of the Fall Run.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I appreciate the kind words! Glad my stuff has helped you out.

[@Official_JokerMan]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Anytime john, thank you for everything, looking forward to some tog posts.

[@x2mars]

You've been fishing a long time, it's great to see the passion is still strong

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The day I don't get excited over fishing you might as well put me in the ground.

[@smokster0604]

I just love that bass top water bite so much fun ......fish on

[@GerryMoningkey]

Awesome catch!

[@abi1816]

tnks jjohn luv yr videos very nice bro

[@theresafitzgerald4114]

As always, entertaining and informative vid. Kicking myself for not getting out yesterday as the forecast looks daunting with the wind and rain forecast for the next week! I fish the South shore beaches and it seems it will be unfishable for some time. Figures as the fish are finally showing up...

[@nicksaccaro5618]

I've learned so much from your videos and Books. Fishing the Bucktail should be every East Coast Fisherman's fishing Bible.

[@tompinnef6331]

Glad to see I am not the only one that talks to the fish. (lol) Take care Spin

[@steves1192]

John, it appears you no longer pinch the line with your rod hand. Any reason for the change?

[@ACEOUM]

Following this

[@graysonmalitsky5019]

I’d love to see his response

[@robg836]

Came here to ask the same question.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Great question, and I don't have a great answer other than I found it not necessary with the current combination of rod, reel, line, and lure that I'm using. I think the line loops were more of an issue with my 11-footer. I know it's not a mono vs braid thing, as I haven't used mono since the 90s.

[@MatindianGirl06]

Good morning John. That striper that you pulled up at 6:29 was a beautiful big fish, I was trying to help you bring it in, leaning backward and forward. Whew. Anyway, take care.

[@kenwesterfeldfishing2244]

Shaking those pencil poppers seems like a good deal of physical effort. Many casts I imagine is pretty tiring.But those dramatic topwater strikes,...so exciting!

[@DanEvan]

Ken Westerfeld Fishing the setup that John uses with the 9’2 moderate GSB1101ML Skinner series is definitely one of the nicest pencil popping rods under 10’. It loads and unloads really well casting, and allows you to get into a rhythm working a pencil with a level of effort that’s just not possible with some of these modern fast action rods. Certainly a different and unique rod, with the ability to cast a 3/4 oz bucktail yet still have enough sack to whip fish north of 30 pounds (as John has shown so many times). Also something to be said is how well the moderate action of this rod keeps you buttoned to the fish, especially during those violent head shakes, or towards the end of the fight where the fish is close to you and the margin of error is decreased significantly.

[@kenwesterfeldfishing2244]

@@DanEvan thanks for the explanation! Hopefully I get to check one out soon.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I really don't find it tiring. It's probably from all of the fluke jigging.

[@kenwesterfeldfishing2244]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing do you wear corkers to climb those rocks?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

yes

[@joegrande4848]

@JohnSkinnerFishing does your arm ever get tired from shaky rod tip dancing the plug?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

no

[@joegrande4848]

​@JohnSkinnerFishing is there a way you could do a video of a side view to get a better visual? That way we could get a better visual how you execute the action of the plug. I can some what get plug to walk but been having trouble getting plug to dance aggressive on top of the water causing plug to splash. I know, this way it'll get stripers attention more.

[@rayfrosti7849]

Love your videos. But why use treble hooks when circle hooks do much less damage?

[@abi1816]

Hi john wat is yr rod length n detail n braid details pls

[@freeandeasyaaron1758]

Nice video! Hey john did you see any albi yet ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Not on the beach.

[@bobmawer743]

great video, when youre fishing areas like that are you just concentrating on the edges of those boulder fields or are there other things youre taking into account fishing those spots?

[@michaelhodgdon7082]

Good God john I've watched your video on bucktails , I'm the shore lines of southern side of Boston i can even see stripers hitting bait fish at the surface, ill dammed if I could hook one , I don't want to use bait this year just using lures but ill tell ya the stripers are winning I've tried all tides daytime nighttime every day I swear I have walked at least 250 miles of shore line in 6 wks any tips

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

If they won't hit a bucktail, then a 7'' tsunami weighted sandeel. www.jandh.com/products/tsunami-hwe7-weighted-2-pack-holographic-sand-eels.html

[@ryancann7114]

A lot of your videos and chapters in the books talk about seeking rough water and rips when targeting stripers. This spot looks relatively calm. What drew you to the spot you’re fishing in this video? Thanks.

[@randytodd2369]

Hey John I was wondering do you like them better than the MADD mantis lower

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I like them both the same.

[@KA-hd6mi]

Hello John, Do you think the gray j braid is more visible to fish or affects your catch rate compared to the dark green for surf fishing? Thank you

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The gray has been fine for me.

[@rcandrew8780]

John do you think the Albies have by passed the north shore?

[@jfisher101]

John, do you think when fishing an area for a period of time there are fish there who seeing the plug repeatedly and then choose to commit to a strike as the sun goes down or that the the fish move in and then strike? Thanks

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Some evenings they only seem to respond in that short sunset window. I think they're there, but hard to be sure.

[@tjuan7]

Have you ever fished with ODM genesis rods? looking for a new surf rod and I'm considering this rod and an ODM

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I have not fished them, but from the ones I handled, I really liked the ODMs because they were similar to the Lami GSBs.

[@tjuan7]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thank you for reply. much appreciated

[@anthonygregorio2208]

Enjoyed the video as usual John. I know you've been using the new Tsunami SaltX for a few videos now but have you thought about trying out the Shimano Stradic FL? The reviews are great on it. I'm considering getting one at the end of this year for use on the kayak and schoolies in the bay. If you do decide to get it please make a video on it. Thanks

[@robertstosch5601]

Do you like the reel so far? Really want to purchase but want to see how it handles time and abuse.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

A couple of months in and loving it so far.

[@ThePeterRabitt]

Is this on the north shore? If been fishing the south shore forever and I have no idea on north shore spots

[@andrewscardina7077]

Thoughts on a van staal

[@dennismiklas6349]

My thought is if you're not hopping rocks or swimming to spots it's not needed. Now there's plenty of reels that can take a dunking and not have a issue for half the price, Penn slammer 3 for example.

[@eastsidekulture]

Do you prefer the Dark Matter Plugs over the Mad Mantis Plugs? Or am I being too picky about my pencil poppers?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No preference. Both this and the Madd Mantis are excellent.

[@abi1816]

hi how many lb braid n leader pls

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

40 braid, 50 leader

[@robokw1942]

What conditions made you decide to throw a popper?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Calm clear water.

[@robokw1942]

John Skinner Fishing thank you!!!

[@faisalrafique6107]

I wonder if you could kindly refer some good stocking foot and boot foot waders. That would not break the bank and are of good use.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

There's a link in this video to the breathable bootfoots. They are about the most comfortable I've ever worn. I've only had them a few months though so I can't say anything about longevity. They also have stockingfoots. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6THkqd-atOcrqc

[@basedSTi]

Were you fishing montauk friday morning?

[@stephenfletcher4681]

Where are you fishing out of?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

LI,NY

[@andrewcrocher5932]

Never seen a popper retrieve like that..... But hey it seems to work!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

standard pencil popper retrieve

[@georgelyon7085]

Any chance you would want a camera guy?

[@JerzyAnt609]

Hahahahaha I love it when John goes nuts after losing a nice fish can’t wait for the tog videos

[@iphone3gsdivine]

Hey John I think that’s the wrong link for the shirt your wearing

[@mccandrj]

Very emotional lately!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

You make the drive, gear up, walk some, and you know the chance at a big fish won't come on most trips. When you do everything right and roll the fish on the surface and it comes undone - arghh!

[@jaychino1621]

Hi John, any thoughts on old lamiglas 10' Ron Arra 1/2 to 2 1/2?

[@moddkilla]

Editing the video to not spot burn?

[@joeltejero3020]

Since I bought your book 📖 let me know next time you goin fishing 🎣 😂 love to fish that spot with ya Sir

[@wayne3043]

yea you and 200 hundred other people !!!

[@sjp3282]

It would be nice to know whereabouts you are fishing, tks.

[@BassSwirls]

I'm so glad to here you swear .....just like me when I miss a big hit.

[@adamdavi8869]

Hello John, I notice you fish this spot often. What is it about that particular area that you like? Thanks

[@johnbraz6213]

Adam Davi it holds fish. Lol

[@johnsantos2140]

Where is this location I’ve been fishing Jones Beach for the past two years and haven’t caught anything love to catch my first striper from the beach please share with A location

[@johnbraz6213]

John Santos his spot is on the northfolk somewhere. He never gives up his spot. I wish I knew too.

[@adamdavi8869]

@@johnbraz6213 Obviously, there must be something about the layout of the bottom or the structure that I don't see through the camera that Mr. Skinner is observing. That kind of information may help all of us find our own spot.

[@24gamogun]

Love how the rod and reel alone cost almost $800 not including line or lures

[@ΚΑΡΑΝΔΡΜΉΤΣΟΣ]

24gamogun when you put this much time into saltwater fishing or any fishing in general, good quality gear is a must and an investment in the long run. It rarely fails on you and lasts year if not decades.

[@bcask61]

The beauty of fishing is the fish don’t know the difference between an $400 rod and a $50 rod.

[@24gamogun]

@@bcask61 someone gets me lol

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Many people who surf fish the Northeast use reels that cost twice what mine does.

[@24gamogun]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing just admiring John, I'm only 21 I'll get to the big leagues one day lol

[@ManuelMartinez-kz5cr]

were is thees place location. i will like to fiching tere

[@josebordonada9180]

Great video John , thank u for sharing your videos I learn lot of things by watching them ,love fishing for stripers and blues .