Striped Bass Bucktailing - Catching Fish on the Drop!

Stripers are caught while surfcasting with bucktails. It's a red-hot morning bite and a great example of stripers hitting jigs as they sink.
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[@edwinrivera6896]

Your passion when you said "it's just a gorgeous morning" any true fisherman felt and related. You're the man John.

[@maverickroyce5664]

i dont mean to be so offtopic but does someone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot my password. I love any tricks you can give me.

[@edwinrivera6896]

@@maverickroyce5664 recover password and they'll send a link to your email

[@jordantoby2019]

@Maverick Royce Instablaster =)

[@maverickroyce5664]

@Jordan Toby i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@maverickroyce5664]

@Jordan Toby it worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my ass !

[@victorj.garcia9861]

I really can't believe how easy this man catch fish.. he is fish magnet.. awesome video!

[@rosco3659]

My wife watches your videos with me , she has nicknamed you "buck tail Skinner " , whenever your name comes up she shouts buck tail ! It's quite funny . After watching all these videos with me of you fluking , bassin , and sometimes having the blues , she asks if you ever use the buck tail without the tails ands gulps ? Thanks John for your time and videos .

[@luism.raposo5138]

Sir, you are very educated man. I love how you professionally explain on how to.

[@charlieB69]

This is the cool bass wade fishing I spoke of to add more of to your intro vid if you can. Good stuff John!

[@grantd.5438]

So I was in a very similar scenario (current ripping, contours, and stacked bass along seams / various areas), I used your technique and was crushing fish on Fly and Spinning gear. However, the larger fish were few and far between, I ended up increasing my profile in size (which I am not normally a believer of) and instantly started hooking into those larger fish more consistently. Anyway, the conditions you show in this video for fishing stripers has easily become my absolute favorite on light tackle. Thanks for sharing!

[@Msquad321]

John, you are a "virtuoso" of the bucktail. The lure I starting catching stripers on in 1959 as a kid on the Chesapeake. My dad and I used Uncle Josh "rinds" back then, on 3/8 oz lima bean head bucktails.

[@theoriginalcaptjack]

Another good instructional video on Stripers, nice.

[@joethompson7417]

Very informative video John, thanks!

[@KastKing]

Great POV fishing footage!

[@klarkgoros2343]

Nice video, good to see some decent fish. The drop has been a killer for me on the Sound, though I haven't been able to suss out any larger fish.

[@KarimElayoubyFishing]

Catching fluke here in brooklyn on the drop! Thank you for your excellent instruction!

[@rebelxti910]

john telling how well the rod handles the fish. as hes skiing a 28 inch bass in :) great explanation on presentation thank you !!

[@cmcbridejrable]

Love your videos

[@mattbarton362]

John I fish the Nayatic area not to far from you.i have seen you on the water .and you got your kayak from my frends at 3 bell outfiters.i think it great that you cover all sorts of fishing boat,kayak,and sore.keep out the good work.my Favorite is bucktail fishing

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@AndreRoy1967]

Great video John - I gotta give the bucktails more time this year - heading out tomorrow evening as our water just got to about 50 degrees !!!

[@vasileapati3114]

AndreRoy1967 iuv

[@TriniTrav]

Yes John I'm still watching.

[@raymorin2560]

Hey John I love all of your videos. Was wondering if you knew any local guys that I could set up an appointment with to fish some bucktails for stripers at the canal? I've been surf fishing the beaches and jetties my whole life for them. But I'd love to learn more hands on about buck tailing in the canal

[@michaelbuglione5488]

That hook-set at 2:20...😱 savage

[@MPane15]

Awesome video John. I noticed whenever you're fishing from shore or out in the kayak, you're using this type of setup tying the bucktail directly to the main line, as opposed to when you're out on the boat and tying on a sinker to a 3 way swivel. Does depth of water and current dictate whether or not you use the 3 way rig? I'm usually out on party boats and often times we're anchored down instead of drifting. Any tips for casting out and keeping action on the bucktail even when you're anchored? Would you use similar techniques to when you're casting out from shore? As always thanks again for sharing all your knowledge with us!

[@thereelraconteur7801]

Damn! Rick Freed beat me to it. Was going to say they should call them "Smilin' Johns."

[@KA-hd6mi]

Hello John, Is there any specific technique you use for your lifts and twitches when bucktailing, or is it just random? Thank you for any explanation you can give.

[@rickfreeda5845]

Smiling John

[@JulzTremblay]

This is so epic

[@johny6145]

What knots do you use to the barrel swivel and to the tactical anglers clip?

[@dustinfehr3466]

that guy at 8:10 wanted to go water skiing lol

[@Msquad321]

Could hear that Slammer 3 drag in the dark ... at the end.

[@jimgreenfield1320]

Hey John, how about the waders... what do you like for Sound and Gut type shoreline? & Thx for yet another inspiring submission!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use LLBean breathable bootfoots.

[@stevewolfakaheliarc2696]

The right place at the right time.

[@rustybeatz2479]

Hi John- thanks for the great posts! How often do you change the otter tails? Can you use the same one on multiple days?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Depends on how many fish you catch on it.

[@f-castrofishing5987]

Nice going John would you consider using that 8 ft for Albie fishing

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

No. It would be a good albie rod, but I like something slightly lighter in the 7-7.5-foot range. My favorite now is the 7.5-foot Penn Battalion 10-17# rod.

[@bcarss1970]

John. How do you go about choosing jig colors (body and hair) and trailers (gulp, ottertails, etc.)? Does it differ for fluke and stripers?

[@chriswardenoftheforest1458]

Buy his books

[@christophersawczyk]

Using your insight, I've been tryng to find new areas to fish. Some successful, some not. But in identifying structure that holds fish, for example like this rip you're at, I'm finding myself more often having to change my bucktail due to the quickness of the change in current to make a quality presentation. I know this video was only 30 some odd minutes, but have you found areas where you have to make less adjustments more advantageous than the latter? Did you make any change to your bucktail besides replacing your lost trailer? Thank you in advance.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I used only 3/4 and 1-ounce this trip. I change when I have to, or want to change it up a bit. I don't see an advantage in not having to make changes.

[@xlandscaper]

I just want to know how! How does this man consistently slam fish one after another after another? I can go multiple trips and fish prime "structure" where I would imagine fish to be and get skunked. John can catch fish from a puddle in the street after a rainstorm! Have you ever thought of guiding? I'm sure you would have a sign up list from here to China with all the people that would fish with you. 👍👍

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I have my skunks too.

[@donalddefeojr776]

John I noticed the rip out there in the distance what is the location?is this an inlet or a back bay? I noticed the sandy bottom around your feet. Thank you .I live in Brigantine NJ just below LBI,or across the bridge from Atlantic City.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It's a bay.

[@danifudodanifudont]

So beautiful 🌅

[@bcask61]

Hey John, instead of all the Amazon links, how about just listing the gear and suggesting folks go to their local tackle shop to buy it. Great video as usual, love the channel.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I link to a local LI shop (J&H) for anything they have, then to Amazon for what they don't have. People are free to click on any link to learn what I was using, and then buy wherever they are comfortable.

[@ksoehns]

Hey John, "Where are you fishing?" 🤣🤣

[@dudedude4375]

I have a question. In party boats why do they recommend heavier sinkers? I’d like to use 1-3 oz but the boat insists using 6-8oz... this is whether 30 or 80 feet deep.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

That all depends on the particular boat and location.

[@chriswardenoftheforest1458]

Buy Johns books

[@posmaster22]

in this situation did you even carry a plug bag with a variety of did you go out there knowing the conditions and committing to bucktailing the whole time?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I had mostly pencil poppers and bucktails and some salt pros

[@ripptydevibes2581]

Thats why I tie my own bucktails, I have yet to see a mold with enough sizes in it. I use hair density to produce weights that dont exist in molds. I can take three 1oz heads and end up with a .8oz/1oz/1.2oz action on the same 1oz weight. If I had to rely on buying my bucktails I would be short on choice and be down $400 a year. That doesnt account for my river hair jigging either, thats another $600 savings!

[@barettamv]

Hey John, Ive got a question for you regarding your leaders. You always say that you attach about a 3 foot leader via barrel swivel. What I am wondering is, do you ever have problems with the swivel going through your guides? Or do you always stay careful to keep the swivel outside of the rod tip while casting and reeling in. Thank you!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm used to fishing that way so it never hits the guides.

[@barettamv]

Thank you

[@thegoods2240]

If I use a swivel I'm constantly reeling it into the guides, so I usually tie braid to leader with an Alberto knot. I tried putting a decent size bead on the braid side of a swivel to stop me from reeling the swivel into the guides, but had bluefish bite at the bead and cut me off.

[@andrewhouse1795]

Hey John have u ever had a bass hit u on the burn back of the bucktail on the beach or inlet

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Maybe once.

[@craig1lengyel]

Do you have any navigation light on the Kayak?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm shore wading. No kayak.

[@akintomeatloaf]

John, what knot do you use for attaching your leader to the tactical A clip?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

clinch

[@akintomeatloaf]

Do you think the improved clinch is better than the palomar? Any reason why you like the clinch over other knots? What's the reasoning behind using a swivel as opposed to a uni/fg/other knot? I do the same as you, but I've never trusted those knots against potential big fish.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I use palomar on the braid end. Clinch on the leader. I'm more comfortable going through a swivel rather than connecting very thin braid to significantly thicker mono or fluoro. It's a personal preference, and the swivel give me line twist relief.

[@akintomeatloaf]

Thank you for the expert insight! I'm very appreciative!

[@akintomeatloaf]

Is the reasoning for the palomar on the braid end because it might slip on the clinch knot? Have you had that happen before?

[@Randomlyblindcasting]

Hey John what pound test are your swivels for targeting striped bass?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

80-180#. High quality Tsunami stainless or SPRO.

[@Randomlyblindcasting]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing hey John I appreciate the response back. Thank you. I also commented on your video on how to tie a rig for bottom fishing. Just want to say a simple video like that help me a ton last year.

[@Randomlyblindcasting]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnXLhZ2uqNZ0rdE

[@rymon628]

Do you know which rod is best for surf casting anything from 3/4-1 1/2 or maybe 2 ounces that doesn't exceed $100-150? The rod you're using is beautiful

[@bornlucky9564]

go buy a used once

[@rymon628]

Thank you I'm looking into the lamiglas insane surf series

[@fishingphysician113]

Tsunami air waves and elites are good and around that price

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

At that price range I agree about the Tsunami Airwave Elite, but that's more like $180. Maybe check some of the Penn rods.

[@rymon628]

John Skinner Fishing thank you

[@samraasch5073]

Can you make a tackle video and a rod and reel video

[@raymorin2560]

Even if you yourself were available, or if you k ow anybody with your level of knowledge. I'd be willing to pay any amount to spend some time getting more familiar with canal jigging for stripers. Many of my buddies catch very consistent and very big stripers in the canal year in and out. I'd love to get I to it more. Anything you could do or recommend for me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and help john

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Sorry. I don't fish the canal. Maybe look up Bill Wetzel? He's a surf guide, but I'm not sure he'd head up there.

[@rcnmasterplumber]

I love Your Videos. Too Bad You Are Not Closed. By, I Wod Joint Kayak Fishing With You

[@dashriprock5720]

I'm on the Connecticut side of the sound. Long Island has got to be way better. you got the sound, the Atlantic, Montauk, the bays.

[@jdmmarcelo10]

The fish on 14:40 seen pretty big to all the other one but I bet the one you lost were bigger

[@joec7094]

Why did you switch from spider wire stealth to daiwa j-braid?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The J-Braid is 8-strand, stealth is 4. The 8-strand j-braid is smoother and casts farther and has slightly less drag in the water.

[@joec7094]

thanks that is nice to know

[@livenhfree]

Ooooh... pricey rod! Again, what power? Just eyeballing, looks like MH, maybe? Thanks!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'd say "M" for power.

[@matonistv7982]

You make it look too easy lol

[@mako184]

John are there places that anyone can fish off the beach?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

There are ways anyone can park legally near and fish this spot.

[@mako184]

Thanks coming up in a couple weeks

[@gonepostal1995]

All i can say is: Good one "Ferris Bueller".

[@stitch-xx2oo]

Is this a bay, ocean, or lake?

[@ripptydevibes2581]

It looks to be a mixture of Bay/Ocean. Long islands "inlet" is so large that the bay itself is a mixture of the two depending on the exact spot

[@jacobh9628]

Where is he on LI

[@josephmasone1478]

The released fish in this video all looked to swim away none worse for the wear or overly exhausted despite the lighter 8ft setup - can't help but wonder if all the larger fish dropped in the video was a result of not having enough backbone in that 8feet to turn the fish out of that rip. I've found that with 35lb+ fish from the surf what's more dangerous than getting spooled is simply the inability to gain the right angle and leverage on the fish taking drag. Stripers tire themselves out if you let the bend do the work, but gaining that initial leverage and keeping them out of rips and currents and out of rocks is ultimately the difference in landing larger fish and that requires backbone. Light tackle has its place tho, you seem like a calculated guy and I'm guessing you went back and landed those larger fish with your more stout cut 9fter. Curious if you felt outgunned on those larger fish in that rip with this rod, or was it just one of those days?

[@mrdean2768]

Joseph Masone I prefer the lighter tackle too but would not enjoy dropping those larger fish. Curious to see what others have say on this topic... why did he lose the bigger fish?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The hooks just pulled on those two. There was pressure on them when they came undone, hooks were sharp, hooksets were more than firm. It happens. Anyway, I din't feel outgunned.

[@mrdean2768]

John Skinner Fishing good info. Thanks for the great videos!

[@josephmasone1478]

John Skinner Fishing Surprised by your reply John. Analytic minds rarely chalk things up to "it happens" lmao. Theirs not always a reason for a pulled hook, but I find 8 times out of 10 their IS a reason - especially when it keeps happening 3, 4, 5 times in one outing and consistently with only the larger fish pulling drag. Seems like a pattern to me. Only watched the video once but appears that the larger fish that were able to pull drag got some kind of advantage on you when allowed to go left. Thought maybe the rod was unable to turn them around but maybe not - only you know so I'll take your word for it. Bigger fish heading your way this week tho so I suspect we've seen the last of that 8footer for a while lol. Thanks for your time. Good luck these next two weeks. Should be fun.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

There were only two lost good ones.

[@MrVicg1990]

So basically it’s like working a football jig or any other jig bounce it off the ground and swim it a little bit let fall switch it up

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It was being ready to strike on the fall, but then a slow retrieve after it got near the bottom.

[@MrVicg1990]

What kind of rod is a good surf rod mainly for buck tails kastmasters swimbaits and some plugging f you can name a couple high end rods and low end rods please and thank you

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

My favorite high end is the 9' 2'' Lamiglass gsbskinner rod. Lower end, but still good quality, is the 9.5 Tsunami airwave elite rated 15-30#.

[@MrVicg1990]

John Skinner Fishing how much is the lamiglass rod and have you heard of the Shimano Tiralejo surf rod?

[@flyboy1227]

Wait what state you fishing in

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

NY

[@flyboy1227]

THOUGHT SO . heard montauk in the one with the CG . im over by patchouge

[@smoothddd]

im not trying to be an asshole but from my experience when the fish are that hungry and aggressive you can almost throw anything and they will hit it... any minnow or softbait would have worked.. but thanks for these videos im enjoying watching your vids :)

[@bertrivera9896]

He makes it look too easy...

[@justgodriveandfishing8865]

if i was there and i will try other jigs, like dimond jig or swim jig to see if make any differents, why use only bucktail, too boring,lol

[@joenoze66]

Long Island Sound where no man could fish no more unless you know a rich person

[@francmeister420]

Wasn't a problem till social media and guys posting pics to get likes

[@thomastuorto9929]

Are you saying there is no public Access from all the roads leading to the sound?

[@joenoze66]

Maybe John should answer that question

[@stateniland]

That is soo true.. it doesn't matter what goods he is selling.. the fishing out east is still very good and the residents and corrupt politicians want to keep out the general pubic.

[@christopherfelser]

You can get access easy enough.

[@TheRwd2]

1st!

[@jeffparis4761]

John you pose the interesting question , "how many of these fish will hit the bucktail on the drop" John I say again, try fishing where 95% of the rest of us fish and , ha ha, you will be glad if any fish hit , during any kind of retrieve I hope you know how lucky you are or conversely how unlucky the rest of us are to have no access to those waters where there are PLENTY of fish