Stripers, Weakfish, Fluke, and Porgies Open The Season!

My first Northern fishing trip of the year was solid with bass, weakfish, fluke, and plenty of porgies hitting my jigs. It looks like the 2021 season is off to a great start!
---------Gear and Stuff------
Online Fishing Course Discounts - www.saltstrong.com/skinner/
New Skinner Fluke Rod: bit.ly/2QeiT6G
Porgy Jig: bit.ly/2jP1VYF
Bass Jig: bit.ly/3uK0MnX
Porgy Rod: bit.ly/2OVUgbT
Fluke Reel: bit.ly/2SDW7Rg
Porgy Reel: bit.ly/2G63cD9
David Dunleavy Performance Fishing Apparel - lddy.no/ykp8
Skinner Bucktail Book: amzn.to/33A2xbz
Fishfinder: bit.ly/2N2SvqP
Trolling Motor: bit.ly/2VS9C2r
Fishfinder Coastmaster Chart - bit.ly/34KEcQo
The above are affiliate links.

[@thegoods2240]

The fish in Florida just breathed a sigh of relief!

[@neildurso4566]

"Luck favors the prepared" as evidenced in this video. 2 days back to your old stomping grounds and on your maiden voyage you are prepared for topwater action, for chumming bottom feeders with squid, and then transitioning to artificials with Gulp. I'm sure that if your radio informed you that blackfish season was reopening for 3 hours you would have cobbled together a rig to catch those too. You never cease to amaze, and you set a fine example for the rest of us. Welcome back up north Sir!

[@docmurph8681]

You know it’s spring in the north east when you can hear that stiff breeze whistling through the fishing lines. Great to see the mix of fish.

[@davidkuperschmid5274]

From tarpon to porgy .. that’s got to hurt a little. LOL Welcome back North.

[@timberwolfe338]

Don't worry, he'll be catching 30lb bass before we know it....

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I did think about that while I was standing out in that wind.

[@ririraychannel8571]

Im sure the change of pace and locale was nice, welcome back to your home turf!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It is, but it starts getting real uncomfortable there around the time we leave.

[@MichaelBrazdaFilms]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing What area are you in, not exact, what state? Had no idea the Porgys grew this large.

[@MichaelBrazdaFilms]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I worked as a mate on a head boat fishing the Delaware Bay in 1977. I will never forget the Weakfish in May were 8-15 lbs and EVERYONE caught fish. Soft plastics were just getting started then, the trout hit white buck-tails with purple plastic LM bass worms. I was fired from the boat because when I saw these huge trout coming up, I stopped netting customers fish and started fishing.. I think the job lasted about a week!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

@@MichaelBrazdaFilms Peconic Bay

[@MichaelBrazdaFilms]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks, that’s an area I would probably never make it up to, looks every bit as nice as hatteras or pamlico sound.

[@williamwalsh6282]

“I just want to bend the rod”... I say that every time... some day it’ll work for me too

[@caseymorton2912]

I feel ya

[@BStavFishing]

Ok, I make no bones about being a Skinner Devotee'. I just started making my own fishing videos and to say that it's difficult and absolutely challenging is an understatement. How anyone can give this video a thumbs down is beyond my comprehension. Haters are always gonna hate. Bravo Skinner!! You motivate me to be a better fisherman and now video creator every day!!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@paulmysliborski4832]

Wow. You are fishing my home town. Greenport, NY. :)

[@OutDoorAdventures_1907]

I don't know where you are now but, you sir are living the life! Tight lines!

[@mattbobsong680]

Sweet porgie action. Anyone who doesn’t bleed them is a fool. Porgies must be taken care of properly and respectfully. They are the greatest fish in the oceans.

[@attyjim1]

Skinner!!! Wow brother you didn’t waste any time! Nice to see you back home.

[@johndrayer5410]

Not a Mangrove root in sight! Welcome back.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Ha! And 30 degrees cooler.

[@JAdam-xl9fk]

Love that boat! Everything u need, nothing u don't need. A pure fishing machine.

[@Aaron.Davis56]

Nice to see you made it back and on the water. I fish that area so I might see you one day. I'm going in the water around the 20th. Nice pork chops!

[@alexblack9958]

The Return of Skinner!!! Love the Florida stuff, but nothing beats your LIS fishing. So excited for this season

[@steveplescia9006]

Back where you belong! . . . As Dorothy said; “There’s no place like home!”

[@Fishingandkicking]

John Purchased your Fluke book. Combined with your videos, my knowledge has grown exponentially. Thanks for imparting the wisdom. Here’s to a great 2021 season.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I appreciate your support. Good luck with the new season!

[@DoubleBogeyBaker]

Glad to see ya back up North!

[@babalu1987]

Glad to have you back on the island John! Let's go fishing!

[@timconnors3211]

Making it look so easy John, Glad you're back.

[@gbouley1]

Welcome back. 🙌. Enjoyed your Florida videos this year. Thanks

[@mikedougherty9165]

christmas came early, welcome home

[@johnappleseed936]

the king is back

[@Li_sandflea]

Glad to see ya back!

[@7citiesfishing]

Great video! Talk about a welcome back

[@FPS_Wingo]

You were my inspiration back in high school to pick up a rod and seriously get into Fluke fishing

[@ethkaz]

Same here

[@robertcronin6714]

Welcome back, good to see you in your natural habitat, LOL. Good luck in the upcoming season.

[@mikedavisclassiccountry8704]

Another great video from the Great John Skinner

[@Redcrown48]

Welcome back, the fish were cooperative, big porgies.

[@johnnybarillas3154]

Welcome back! 💯💪🏽

[@brandonweber4166]

Absolute legend and learned everything from this man

[@rhodysweet]

Good to see you back John, and thanks for all that you do! Dave in RI

[@HeadSlime]

Where can I find them from the shore?

[@hughmura6676]

Glad to see ya back in our neck of the woods!

[@aidandombrosky5440]

welcome back John!

[@mdallas]

Thank god you are back. Need to see the fishing I can do up her in NE.

[@reggieb1963]

Yes you're back up North !!! Truthfully I didn't like the Florida thing, it just wasn't you... Glad to see you in the Northeast area where you belong...

[@dkwon616]

Welcome home John. The nor’east seas have missed you

[@BStavFishing]

Welcome back up north! I wish those porgies made their way down to south Jersey.

[@UNFILTEREDFISHING]

Welcome back!!

[@josephdoran1399]

Welcome Home Mr. Skinner

[@walterkonopacki6881]

Hey john, welcome back my 85 sea nymph loves your 74 star craft, warms my heart to know you don't need 30 grand to be a great fisherman. Recovering from full knee replacement, looking forward to getting back on the water. Have a great season......walt

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Sea Nymph is a great boat.

[@jasonkemp202]

Glad your back need vids when I can't go

[@jakereg0621]

The King is back

[@ronca1994]

Welcome back!

[@ras124]

He's baaack!

[@Legnerps]

Boy do I miss taking the SI Ferry over to the Chiquit for a beer. Left Southold for Maine (found another cheaper, much less populated, not assaulted by NYC all summer) in June of 2000. But still miss the Sandbar.

[@scalper6922]

The 🐐 is back

[@derekalexander4030]

Hey John, welcome back. I’m gonna go out for the first time. Oh wait, there are fish right here. Boom. Moves to another spot, boom. Not bad for the first trip. I’m so happy to see those weak fish, best tasting fish out there in my opinion. What a nice variety. Those porgys were a good size, worth the work to clean em. I can’t believe I missed seeing that boat. Lol. Looks like that florida sun beat the heck out of your hands. You will have to cover up all the time when you go back. Great trip, thanks for sharing.

[@johnsweeney1400]

Great video with a nice variety. Water was 86 degrees here yesterday in the gulf.

[@fishingwithjacob1]

Yay your back home

[@brn0520]

Now that is a real fishing boat

[@archieoutdoors1776]

Mr. Skinner, welcome back to the North

[@jamesrumsey1061]

Happy Birthday 🎣John

[@danielweise8516]

Welcome home!

[@user-dc9bq1nn9n]

HE'S BACK

[@hectorcoria3650]

Very interesting video about squid bait. We hardly use it down here the Tx coast line. AM when we use any kind of bait it is usually the live bait of shrimp finger mullet shad or mud minnows.. And smalle croakers.

[@markcarson1844]

Not to much on the other boats, Skinner fish left and right. Great show John, thank you!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It was one good drift for me and several skunk drifts.

[@markcarson1844]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Understood, good to see you back home.

[@JV-dj9in]

Welcome back

[@deezn5778]

thats the off shore size Porgy nice one i really enjoy the fight on light tackle with those and they taste great.

[@KCsniper79]

Nice to see your back up north, I’m guessin it’s gonna take another week or so before that rod gets really put to it’s potential for some solid striped bass..🤙🏼🤙🏼..

[@Jamboliner]

Back flip fish release technic is deliberate! No one likes a splash!

[@mikev3956]

The Slim wave rod is so sensitive and fun to fish!

[@zachcekala3123]

YESSSSSS!!!! NORTHEAST!!!

[@yardhostler3728]

Let's get it 💪

[@ralphromanelli3002]

Read your book , Fishing the Bucktail over the winter . After about 100 previous outings I finally caught my first keeper fluke from shore . Thanks for the videos and LGM’s

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Glad to hear the book helped! Thanks for sharing.

[@johnnorris1227]

You got it right!!! Bleeding any fish is going to make for better meat quality. Not only are you getting the blood out but also killing the fish instead of letting it suffocate which can release stuff in the meat that can hurt the flavor.

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Hey Johnny !!! Glad to see your back !!! I knew you were gonna be back , I was telling my dad “ he’s packing his bags now “ I’m fishing now at Jones inlet. Can’t get the skunk off me- soo what I wanted to say I met 4 guys and myself who are fishing your rod !!! They love it ! You got a lot of fans !!!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Glad to hear people are liking the rod. I'm real happy with how the final product came out.

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing I love it !!!! you’re a genius Johnny !!

[@HOLLYWOOD-nd2pe]

Nothing too crazy but a nice buffet of species... and man those porgys john are nice pan size fish (sheeesh) I would love to get on those size on the kayak..😎🤙🏽💪🏽

[@kendimizekadarbalk]

Good job👍👌

[@robertgoldman3685]

The Shelter Island ferry!

[@alanweidner7271]

Hey I live in NJ and go out and try to catch striper and go pluggin the banks for striper with lead heads and soft plastics and barley get any. What do you look for when going out because I can’t seem to find any videos explaining it. Great video!

[@Steve-qo4hi]

Love Greenport

[@Luke-do1ek]

hey John would love to see a porgy catch and cook

[@20andin]

was cranking behind 17 today

[@mbari6963]

First day back and a PB Slam (peconic bay that is)!!!!! Mastery at work!! John Skinner is to fish what Covid19 was to us!! Here’s what you need to do fish: Wear a mask. You’ll be less likely to get hooked. Stay safe in quarantine! Shelter in place! Only essential fish should attempt to go out. If any species have yet to spawn, use Zoom if possible.

[@Patrick-ni7bs]

Well to bad I've been almost going fishing almost every day after school. I'm not going to wear a mask while I fish if I'm on a boat lol

[@derekalexander4030]

True but fish at least go to schools.

[@Delmarvafishing]

Damn John, didn't even pick up any Jersey keepers? You look less than excited in the beginning of the video, way different than the Florida 😄

[@louisjutkiewicz2534]

I think John halkias should buy you a bait and fillet table for your birthday 😂😂

[@oyabun8538]

John you've been back up North for one day and already you had a great day! Unfreakingbelievable! I've caught i think 8 stripers in a month and a half of fishing, what am I doing wrong?

[@Johnathan_defaultskin]

He’s backkkkkkkkkkk

[@slange455]

Like that old boat ... kind of like the TAfishing high sea drifter has character

[@gmcjimmyandblazer]

Hello John, can you please show pics on what porgies look like on your fish finder.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Just clutter near the otherwise smooth bottom.

[@stormshadowctf]

I'd love to see you concentrate on weaks. Knew a great fishing gal out of Central ct who used to catch them rather consistently, but would never divulge any pointers.

[@trevorshao]

nice video John, how many oz is that Bukctail?

[@genebarousse112]

What are the differences or similarities of a weakfish and a speckled trout? I saw you catch some gators in Fla.

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Will watch when I get home... I hope I catch something, pray for me ! Please 🙏 got your bucktail, Rod, and a 150 VS .... let’s see.. I’m raven throwing some gulp on the hook 👌🏻🤝🏖🙏☀️🤝💯

[@johnclemente6615]

Nice new trolling motor that cost more than your boat ha ha

[@greg8074]

Hey John just curious what those porgies measured at roughly?

[@contagiousreligion]

were you drifting , spot locked, or anchored? What a fun day of catching!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

spot locked on the porgies.

[@coffins69]

hey john, whats your biggest porgy?

[@stevepurcell7973]

Did you bring the new kayak back north? I am interested to see which you prefer, the hobie or old town, for new england fishing.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes.

[@Valk69]

Do you come back to the NE for the fishing or for family etc? Im moving to Fla but Im really gonna miss the changing seasons.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I would find it hard to deal with Florida summer heat and humidity. It starts getting very uncomfortable when we leave in early May.

[@kweeks10045]

I wonder how a pompano jig with a teaser would do for porgy's.

[@StephenBloodworth]

When it comes to the blackfish/porgy jigs do you let the jig rest on the bottom or do you keep it up a little bit? Been having some trouble with mine!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Let it rest on the bottom.

[@mikeknottscreek8183]

Hey, just wanted to say I really enjoy your Florida videos. Did you leave your other boat in Florida? I assumed the boat in the video was replaced.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Replace the tin? Never.

[@carlosamaral7356]

Hey John I see you have your own rod now for fluke fishing. But I also noticed that its casting rod ... do you have any suggestions for spinning rod for fluke fishing on the boat?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I only use a spinner when casting in shallows, and those tsunami carbon shield mediums are fine for that.

[@yandelmorales2012]

Subbed

[@gioserratore5229]

Can you do a video cooking porgies please

[@rymon628]

I mostly fish west in Jamaica bay, right off that spring porgy run. Can you get on to them constantly from shore in a general area like peconic bay or is it primarily an off shore bite for now ?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Mostly boat.

[@joejuska5390]

Consider painting the deck.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The deck needs replacing. Will get it done when the fish are mostly out of range in August.

[@tonypassafiume7220]

Hey John I’m thinking about getting a bait casting reel for boat fishing. Basically when ever I go on charters I would like to bring my on combo. What rod and reel would you recommend for porgies/blackfish/fluke? Would like to get one combo for all three. Also do you prefer to use braid or mono? Thank you!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The rod is an easy one. The reel is what I use. It's great for fluke, just OK for tog. Rod: bit.ly/2QeiT6G Reel: bit.ly/2SDW7Rg