Surfcasting for Striped Bass - SPRO Chrome Bucktails

[@ApplSaucFactory]

You seriously make the best fishing videos that are beautifully edited, educational, and fun to watch. Thanks

[@linesidehunter373]

Hey john, though I am from the west coast and fish stripers in the California delta, I've learned a lot about bass from your videos and love your narrations. My favorite fishing videos. Just wanted to tell ya, keep em comin'!

[@codyvwjj759]

you are on fire with every cast, great job man. Now that's called great day fishing.

[@TriniTrav]

Thanks for the frequent uploads John, keep Em coming.

[@chickencoopsessions9671]

thx for the videos john lot of fun to watch

[@silver10m10]

thanks so much for these videos.....great tips

[@mattloccisano8772]

Hey John, so as you know Fluke season starts on may 17th, i was wondering when and where i could find best success catching the fish early in the season, thanks and keep up the great videos!

[@Engineer_Heathen]

+Matt Loccisano Probably shallow muddy water since that will warm up first. I'm in NJ so I can't really give you a spot if you're in NY.

[@williamcotrone4996]

just ordered a pack of the tactical anglers clips , can't wait to try them out this season

[@efface6264]

they are great, i had to open them up a little bit so the lures would slide on easier. they are great clips

[@williamcotrone4996]

i figured it would be great for fluke when the tide picks up and you have to switch to a heavier bucktail. and when trying to switch poppers when they are hitting on the surface

[@efface6264]

+William Cotrone yea they are great i use them all the time I just needed to open them a little but they work great

[@brad3180]

John do offer any guide service? I fish alot Raritan bay were we troll alot and chunk. the rockfish candy has produced some nice fish for me this year and was looking to do more light tackle with this type of bucktail style.

[@DLeopoldi914]

Just ordered striper persuit on amazon. Excited to read in the offseason. I am ct in Norwalk. Do you lose a lot of bucktails? I've caught some on rocks. Also notice when jiggIng the line will go slack and I reel the slack then jig then real. Thanks again.

[@ThePranayamaMan]

I love your vids. Great work. 15lb braid to 30lb flouro leader? That's a decent line diameter difference...what type of knot do you use to bring them together and why such heavy leader?

[@scottaguirre7564]

He doesn’t use a knot to connect the braid to the leader. He uses a barrel swivel. Not the best choice. I’d prefer to use a FG knot when connecting my main line to a leader

[@ATREZ0123]

You want your leader to be stronger because it will see more action (rocks, teethy fish etc). Barrel swivels are great! Lessens line twists and knots. Stripers get BIG

[@BorisDinaburg]

John, I am a fan of your videos. I often see you reeling in fish one after another in your videos when you are showcasing this or that plug. I am assuming that you are using the most optimal plug for the area/conditions, but what if you were like me and you weren't as good of a judge of which plug to use would the fish be uninterested? For example in this video you are using a bucktail and you say that hair and weight and even shape of it are making a big difference. What if you were to be using a completely different plug in that same exact spot? I am looking at the conditions and I would probably have reached for a popper or may be an SP minnow. In you opinion would a popper or an SP minnow have completely failed in that area at that time or would they just catch less fish, but still catch something?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Boris Dinaburg SP minnow would have caught, but I have more confidence in a bucktail and don't want to deal with the treble hooks on the SP. If you learn how to fish a bucktail, pencil popper, and SP, you'll be in good shape. A Tsunami Swim Shad is also a good bucktail substitute.

[@BorisDinaburg]

+John Skinner Fishing Thank you for responding to my post. Your advice, time and videos are greatly appreciated.

[@blake234100]

What state do you fish in I fish in ct but the weather hasn't been giving up, it looks pretty sunny where you are

[@snakemonkey555]

Thanks John, I have a few dozen Spros which are in need of TLC, which type of paint can I use to retouch them? I was thinking paint used for model planes/cars.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+snakemonkey555 Not sure. I paint my home made jigs with powder paint, but that requires heating the head.

[@snakemonkey555]

+John Skinner Fishing Thanks for the quick reply.

[@snakemonkey555]

+John Skinner Fishing Thanks for the quick reply.

[@ATREZ0123]

Why the lighter line and leader? Is it because time of year? Expecting smaller bass?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes.

[@guenthersteiner8163]

Would you recommend crushing the barb on the hook for flukes? I've heard you mention it a few times in your videos but I'm not sure when to do it and when not to do it

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+eddy Masson No, not with these hooks.

[@Phou1984]

+eddy Masson I think it's up to you, most people do it for the fish to makes it less harmful and easy to release them. If you're catching to keep fish it's ok to leave the barb.

[@danielwellner7004]

I feel like Im learning so much from your videos. What kind of drag do you like to fish with? Completely locked down? Or do I want a little play on it?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

As tight as I dare without breaking the line.

[@danielwellner7004]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing Thanks John. If this damn weather in Jersey ever chills out, I'm going to hit it. I don't like fishing by myself and in crappy weather to top it off.

[@lenny2271]

John, do you work or retrieve the SPRO's differently due to the eye placement and "level" center of gravity when shore fishing? How do the handle in comparison to a smiling bill or round head?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Lenny Nope. I work them just like any other bucktail when casting.

[@anthonyalfeo8798]

What pound line do you use?

[@SilkBathLuxuries]

John, so on this set up do you just attach the line to the bucktail and nothing else needed ..

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The bucktail is tipped with a 5 1/2-inch otter tail bait strip.

[@bluegas101]

Great Video!!! Would you be able to add your fishing gear in the video into the description and a link where to buy them (ebay or amazon). Example, 7ft Penn Battalion rated 8-15LB test line, reel Penn Clash 3000, line 15 LB test Spider wire ultra cast, barrel swivel, 30 inch leader of floral carbon, #50 tackles angler clip.

[@EduardoRodriguez-hn9iy]

Can you please tell us info on reel size, main line & leader? Thanks!

[@kentnapp]

Have you caught about the same amount of bass without tipping your bucktails?

[@efface6264]

did you ever use a penn allegiance II rod? I picked on up a couple days ago

[@sebbyss666]

+Sinister TM I have good for fishing off your boat or trolling. (:

[@efface6264]

+Sebastian Sibilia (COOLMOUSE3) ok thanks im gonna use it for fluke from surf and pier

[@pattybree4169]

Nice job! Thanks.

[@everettminer]

do you have both the spro and your homemade bucktail on the line? looked like both of them at the beginning with the fluke. or did you use just the single bucktail at a time when catching those stripers?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+ETM215 The fluke underwater clip was bucktail and teaser. Single bucktail on the bass.

[@smokster0604]

Great video.......I'm going fishing.....

[@tiffanycanino6428]

do you use the paper clip ?

[@LtchiefJD]

how fast do you retrieve???

[@rudr4moshernandez908]

where are you fishing?

[@alexsrodowski3918]

How do you think the hook would hold on a 20 pounder? I know they're real sharp but how strong are they?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Alex Srodowski SPRO 1-ounce and heavier jigs have very strong hooks. The light ones will still land good fish with a properly set drag.

[@alexsrodowski3918]

+John Skinner Fishing Cool. Thanks.

[@LegendarSky8]

great video as always, I have 2 questions. First, what's the point you use a heavier leader line? In my logic I always use a lighter leader line to prevent sang the seaweed or sth, I can just keep my main line. Second question, did you cut the otter tail half ? or you just use them directly? Thank you

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+GDGUCB I haven't used the smaller otter strip yet. Honestly I think it's cheaper to just buy the longer strips and cut them if you want. The heavier leader is on the business end that takes abuse, especially if blues around.

[@LegendarSky8]

thank you!

[@2ko49]

I'm about to get a 11ft tsunami airwave rod. what type of reel do you recommend me getting for the surf thats not too cheap but not too expensive. best bang for your buck basically

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Either a Penn 706Z or a Penn 6500 SSV bailess.

[@nutsack-1904]

2ko49 definitely get a Daiwa DF100A

[@Bsprecksfishing]

how about the 8oz spro bucktail?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6qyYYejidpkh5o shows fishing a 6-ounce SPRO. Using 15# braid I've not had to go to 8 ounces.

[@Bsprecksfishing]

Thanks john, I noticed you're using them for deep jigging for fluke. Would the 6 or 8 ounce spro bucktails have any use surf casting for bass or blues?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I suppose in deep and fast moving water, but that's a mighty heavy surfcasting lure.

[@FishinMission2601]

Have you ever had a problem with the Spro bucktails coming in sideways? I've heard that they sometimes come in a little sideways in current due to the eye placement.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+FishinMission2601 No problem at all. The only way I could see this happening is if you tied a fairly heavy leader direct and tight and on an angle, but I'm just guessing at that.