Surfcasting with Pencil Poppers - 36-pound Striped Bass

A review of pencil poppers used in surfcasting. A 36-pound bass is caught on this video. Supports my book Striper Pursuit, chapter 3.

[@mudymut21]

Another great video John! It is particularly interesting to hear you discuss the difference between manufactures' Pencil Poppers. The variety of lures available today is mind boggling and it seems like some lure manufactures are more effective at catching fisherman with their fancy colors, profiles and finishes then catching actual fish. Thank-you for helping us sort through the madness.

[@FishYourWay]

+Francis Kasprzak well put

[@4420dano]

John, a note of appreciation - have your bucktail book and follow and watch all of your vids. If only it was as easy as your action always seems to make it! I'm putting in my time and had a few decent runs, but nothing as worthy as the fish you seem to rapidly pull out of the water on otherwise calm, uninteresting days. somewhere in these videos, the 'real' secrets aren't being told. One of them is for sure on spot selection and time and wind, tide and moon conditions you favor. a video on these aspects would be most appreciated. Thanks for the instruction !

[@sidl8698]

I definitely would second that

[@t_man785]

Third

[@jedediyahaaronyisrael7118]

I’m late but fifth.

[@WhosthatTeamAFC]

Love seeing big fish get released. Another great video. Thanks.

[@charlesbarboza8591]

John, you’re Videos are Totally Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing. Be well.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

bloodknot - There was no "reply" link on your question - look for J&H tackle online. They carry most of the Tsunami stuff that I use. I agree with you on Tsunami products. The guys that run that outfit care a lot about quality.

[@Phou1984]

Hey John, I had very good success with the 6" Cotton Cordell loaded with BBs to make it tail heavy to 2.5 or 3oz. Cast like a bullet in rough condition but need a faster retrieve to stay on top. The 7" doesn't load as well though.

[@Joe_1971]

The master makes it look so easy....First cast and fish on!!

[@TheWolfePit]

Excellent video, information and fish! Thanks John! Larry

[@yaboifish1744]

+John Skinner Fishing Nice Video. Nice to see action has finally picked up and the bass have begun to move especially the big ones! Keep up the great work

[@stephenobrien6248]

Hi John, ...Thanks for covering and sharing a lot of useful information on this video about 'The Mystery of Pencil Poppers'! I've been fishing for many years but haven't had anywhere near enough knowledge on pencil poppers in order use them well. I'm glad to see you on Surfcaster's Journal and Tackle Direct recently. You may want to start thinking about selling your own unique or selective tackle and gear items? Many of the avid fishermen; myself included, might be interested in your fisherman's log program. And a half way decent fish finder/sonar for small crafts such as the ones you're using. Tight lines for this fall. It aint over yet!

[@Antipropaganda71]

thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience .

[@bluemagic181]

Another awesome video. Thanks John!

[@KayakFrank]

Very nicely done video. Thx for sharing.

[@FishYourWay]

+KAYAK FISHING OFFSHORE Second that!

[@risenflame]

No casting finger protection John? I like athletic tape, my hands just get so beat up during a night of fishing I need something to prevent cuts from the braid. Beautiful fish, as always.

[@xxbey]

you should come down to Martha's Vineyard and fish the MV Bass and Bluefish Derby!

[@t_man785]

Macol O John skinner would rather throw away his van Staal than enter a killing derby probably

[@kevin-pf2px]

I learned today why you hold the line... was all knotted up and when I went to cast in the dark it snapped.

[@FishYourWay]

Really cool stuff as always

[@DestinationFishing]

Nice video, thanks for all the tips.

[@quadboyz8128]

Yup quad boys and Long Island fishing I agree I fish the same beaches as you guys, in mattituck and southold on the north fork and haven't been getting anything, help John there's so many people that need an answer to this

[@radbluetruckproductions3009]

since its the off season, could you do a casting tutorial? rods and reels vid? and maybe reeling speeds for different lures?

[@longislandfishing8674]

Hey John nice vid I was wondering if you could do a series on darters.. I fish on the north fork in mattituck. Was wondering how darters, needles, and little neck swimmers would do

[@MrOkShin]

Hi Mr. Skinner, no videos these days? Looking forward to your next one!

[@elveciojunior]

Hi! Nice video! Nice fish! Congrats!

[@michaellicitra7632]

John, great video as usual. Can you do a short vid on how much you remove the barbs on your hooks? I could not tell from the lures you presented.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Michael Licitra I don't remove them on the VMC hooks. They're already quite small.

[@longislandfishing8674]

Nice vid Do more of this type

[@hookdup1927]

its so frustrating when the fish splashes the lure multiple times but doesn't bite. had the same issue with talking popper and gibbs pencil.

[@MengXyong]

Great video as always.

[@mguidice3287]

Idk how he does it if their was another guy fishing next to u with the same plug he wouldn't of caught anything

[@shnobi24]

cool video

[@justindamirgian1088]

as always another great video! I learned more by watching your videos, especially the underwater ones, then I would have in a life time of fishing. John did you get a sponsor for your KZbin channel? there was an add before I watched this video and if so I'm glad and very happy for you because you deserved it!

[@justindamirgian1088]

also does you have a fb page? I don't do this often but I would like and share your page on that because you are really good at educating local fisherman.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Justin Damirgian fb = John Skinner Fishing

[@bobnazaro4803]

I have been looking or the vid on how you drilled and added water to the tsunami and can't find it anywhere.

[@bmxskate19]

Do u have any tips on casting and what south shore beaches have the fish this time of year? Thank you and as always loved the video

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+bmxskate19 Inlet areas for the near future until these storms clear. After that, many of the SS beaches have potential.

[@jeffreyhopkins4157]

Hi John, thanks for all the great videos. I'm having a hard time finding information (negative or positive) about fishing poppers at night for striped bass. There is an area I like to fish during the night but there are a lot of big rocks in the area and aside from surface swimming plugs I'd like to catch fish with a popper. I've always heard (from the peanut gallery) that fishing a popper at night is not effective. I can't really understand why this is. Is this negative info I'm getting wrong?

[@1800KLIENFELD]

John! I just bought striper pursuit on Amazon. I wanted to thank you for all of your excellent videos and advice. I do a lot float tube fishing in Jamaica bay and altho they aren't the caliber of stripers you catch I still have a great time. I wanted to ask you - would stripers chase a heddon Zara spook if it's chugging along on the surface in 20-30 foot deep water? I know they are opportunistic feeders but I had to ask. I cover a lot of water and some days I nail about a dozen stripers with the spook but usually in shallower waters. I may have answered my own question but I thought id ask. In Some videos it looks quite deep. Thank you in advance.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+MISTER KLIENFELD They frequently hit poppers in the cape cod canal over deep water, but for the fishing I do I normally fish bucktails and weighted swim shads in deeper water.

[@pokemonranger3184]

Great video really enjoyed it. Just wondering how you setup the guide spacing on this rod with only 4 guides?

[@thekoolaidman111]

Hey john, Im a long island native too and was wondering are most of your bass caught on the north shore or south. Ive been going on the south shore lately and haven't been able to get past the blue fish.

[@Brennnyy]

Hey john I'm a huge fan just wondering where are you fishing in this video

[@NMandaro]

very nice video! just wondering, it says surf casting, we're you in a kayak or standing in the water. also if you don't mind telling me because I didn't see it in previous comments, what time of day was this and what was the tide please and thanks.

[@lifeiseverybreathyoutake3576]

you are awsome sir love your video

[@kevinduffy2428]

Mr Skinner I know this an old video, but I just found it. Let's just say I love love your work. And I appreciate the number of hours you must put in, to create this content. You said you in the vid that you changed the hooks on your lure. Did you consider using single hooks? Pretty sure you are using treble hooks. Hope to start a conversation on using single hooks vs treble hooks. Best Regards John

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've tried inline singles numerous times. I prefer to stay with trebles and keep the barbs crushed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ6ZdamYmL2qapY

[@mlynn64lynn17]

Just curious on your thoughts about the Boga Grip as it relates to musculo-skeletal health of the striper? I too have caught many cows up to and over 50lbs. I used to weigh them with my 60lb Boga Grip until someone brought it to my attention that it might be putting undue stress and weight on the fish which its aquatic lifestyle was not designed for... I at first disagreed with him but the more I thought about it, the more I reasoned it cannot be good for the fish. I long ago stopped using it to weigh fish. In fact, I don't even take it with me anymore. These days, I just take a quick measure and photo before reviving (if needed) and releasing. My personal best is only 53# and I'm pretty sure I'll know by looking at her... if I ever get a bigger one. If it's over 60# my boga won't work anyway~;) If it's under 4 ft, I don't even worry about the tape measure since I know it cannot be close to my PB Other records (state, world, IGFA) don't matter to me because I'd never kill a bass that big for fame, money or prizes anyway. I keep telling myself, I'll someday make a cradle with mesh webbing, chain, connectors and O ring (to attach to hanging scale) in case I ever get that fish of MY lifetime... but I probably won't because ultimately it's between me and the striper and I like the feeling and the after hickey from them tearing the flesh between the back of my thumb and my wrist... as they bite down and lock on and off several times... just before they shake my hand loose and swim away... Nice tutorial videos by the way. Thanks Mark

[@rpark1215]

Love your videos, Great video and commentary as usual. Small question, any reason you are using SSV 6500 over your VS200/Torque? Bc correct me if I'm wrong the rod is the GSB1201L?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+rpark1215 Yes, that's the 1201L cut to 9'. I love the Penn SSV 6500 Bailess! I use it over the VS because it is smoother and has a smoother drag. For this particular fishing, I like the size of this reel better than the smaller torque 5. This spot requires that I move fish quickly away from boulders and the 6500 lets me do that comfortably.

[@dragodons]

The Cordell has always been phenomenal for me. Cheap and they last and don't wear. What else do you need.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Those are good plugs, but I need a little more distance. I could load them.

[@dragodons]

@John Skinner True.

[@vinniefernandez6886]

Mrgto great video

[@petercomeauhockey8]

Great video John! Do you ever use savage sand eels? They have been my best lure by far this season. Even when the fish were on top they've out produced the pencil poppers other guys fishing by me were using. Don't get me wrong I love top water but do ever feel mainly using top water plugs can be limiting because you won't be able to work the bottom where inactive fish may be holding?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Peter Comeau Pencils have their place. You can only throw that sandeel so far. I'm a big fan of the Tsunami sandeels too.

[@petercomeauhockey8]

+John Skinner Fishing That's true, I recently switched my braid to power pro's new line "Maxcuatro" and it added a considerable amount of distance on my casts. It's much thinner and lighter, and helps when I'm throwing heavier jigs. Seems to hold up pretty well on the rocks too.

[@stephengifford2602]

Hi John im a frequent customer of JandH what do you recommend i should buy for striped bass fishing off of my new contender for the fall run, i fish quite a few tournaments along the south shore in the great south bay or inlet or fire island lighthouse in ocean(live eels at night, bunker, clam bellies, sand eels, bucktail, pork rind...)???thanks

[@kquezada93]

hey man i know you probably wont tell me the exact location but is this north shore? and around where. thanks man great videos

[@alexbraunshteyn3527]

Hi John, are you in waders and in the water in this video? Also, what do you recommend for aggressive waves? I'm fishing in breezy point ny

[@juliuscolegio4744]

Nice nice master

[@bobnazaro4803]

Hi John, I have been looking for that blue guppy popper you show in the vid, but can't find it anywhere. Can you help? Thanks-----Bob

[@368engbn]

Alright I am a complete noob to ocean fishing so I'll come right out and ask.I fish up here in New Hampshire and it seems everywhere I go there is a ton of seaweed that seems to attack any lure I toss out there.I don't own a boat so all my fishing is done on shore.Am I doing something wrong by using poppers in such areas? Is there a way to reduce the catching of seaweed on the hooks? It looks like you are retreeving your poppers at quite a fast rate.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+368engbn The only way to beat the weeds is to fish somewhere else. I'm actually cranking quite slow on the retrieve, but imparting a lot of action.

[@flukekiller1882]

Nice bass

[@andrewhouse1795]

Very nice John glad to see a new video do you plan on doing one with a Danny plug?

[@ia2835]

Funny you say that I got s monster on one the other night

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+andrew house I shot some of that on the South Shore a couple of days ago. Been too busy fishing to review the video though.

[@f-castrofishing5987]

+John Skinner Fishing nice

[@fishking10]

really great video definitely subscribe

[@edogden2214]

when you use a fluorocarbon leader with braided line should I use a swivel or tie the flouro directly to the braid?

[@MrXinsizionx]

Is that a penn 706z? If so, do you pack the reel with grease? Do you ever have problems with the rotor cup turning on a cast?

[@peterwilliam9608]

awesome video I recently just picked up the 6500ssv bail less and love it. Iv read striper pursuit and my question is what determines when you decide you want to try to use a pencil popper? thanks

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Peter William They are fishfinders. I especially use them if the water is flat and/or I need distance.

[@levondecarlo]

John...thanks for another video. Question: would there be any benefit by adding a 10'-12' piece of mono/fluro attached to your braid by a line to line knot? A shock leader of sorts? Thanks...

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Levon de Carlo Not for me. I don't see the advantage.

[@guenthersteiner8163]

Braided line is more prone to abrasion, so the only real advantage to doing that would be to prevent the braided line from rubbing on a rock and getting cut. However, adding a 125lbs swivel or a 100lbs mono/fluoro leader to your 80lbs braided line would not increase the strength of your line at all, "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link"

[@WhosthatTeamAFC]

Good point. However, I find that the pound-test on swivels (especially snap-swivels) derates with usage much quicker than the line. So I tend to overkill it with swivels and snaps. That being said, I like to fish 30lb test line.

[@schymark7196]

Thanx

[@bflewis9713]

Hi John, I got a Cordell with factory hooks, do they have a chance with a descent size fish, or should I just change them? I'm just getting into poppers, trying to follow along your technique.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+thomas materka The newer ones are actually OK.

[@nolankeyes119]

When r u gonna put up new videos?!

[@grubworm9935]

John help please I fish LI sound of the beaches in mattituck and southold. I have been using everything, going night and day, and have not been getting any action, anyone please help

[@kylebryer1111]

Sweet

[@ia2835]

John, did you catch any sharks?

[@highdesertfishing6411]

good fishing

[@jonah1821]

Any suggestions on rigging when using eels from a public pier?

[@stephengifford2602]

What kind of specific rig would you recommend with a conventional setup?

[@mobiletaskforceninetailedf6618]

Can anyone tell me if a 5” Pencil popper would let you catch bluefish I’m kinda scared I wasted 9.00 Dollars on a lure that won’t work 😅

[@fishli2239]

Epic video I have some but never have used them. Can they be fished at night or day?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Tropicalcape Mostly daytime.

[@fishli2239]

Also could you do this from anywhere cause i fish the sound in long island

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Tropicalcape Anywhere there are stripers. Long Island Sound has stripers.

[@sodeloutdoors8047]

What's your PB striper length and weight and what did you catch it on

[@chrisvaliaveedan4779]

hi John I live in new ersey and our water has been really rough with the incoming storm. I am new to surfcasting and was wondering if these conditions are no good to fish at all or the water will still produce fish. And also any types of lures to use in rougher water. Thankyou for your help i really appreciate it

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Chris Valiaveedan I can't say about your specific area, but some areas around the inlets near where I live will hold up under much worse than this.

[@chrisvaliaveedan4779]

thankyou very much are there and better plugs for rougher water

[@goobajc]

how much mono liter do you use, length wise

[@2ko49]

Out of the 9-11 foot tsunami airwave rods, which would you recommend I get for surf fishing/party boat fishing for stripers, fluke, porgies, sharks it any other kind.

[@2ko49]

Also which kind of reel do you recommend. Trying to find an inexpensive reel that is the best bang for my buck

[@risenflame]

+2ko49 you can't really get a rod that works for both of those things. However, an 8ft rated 1-3oz would work. Penn Fierce is by far and away best bang for the buck.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+2ko49 For surf - Penn 6500 SSV, 11-ft tsunami 1102M elite.

[@michaelhanlon732]

Hey John just wondering your thoughts on that reel. I was considering purchasing it. If you wouldnt mind a quick reply would be greatly appreciated. Im going to be that way this weekend in the storm lol heard its been good. Tight lines to all.

[@peterwilliam9608]

+Michael Hanlon i just bought the ssv6500 bail less and I love it..first bail less reel I own and learned how to use it in less than 5 minutes..hit me up dawg lets go out one of these nights!!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Michael Hanlon I love the Penn SSV 6500 Bailess! I use it over the VS because it is smoother and has a smoother drag. For this particular fishing, I like the size of this reel better than the smaller torque 5. This spot requires that I move fish quickly away from boulders and the 6500 lets me do that comfortably.

[@michaelhanlon732]

+Peter William its only going to be good now this cold noreaster moved in. I'm doing mtk next weekend come through

[@michaelhanlon732]

+John Skinner Fishing I got a 706 over it because I thought the roller wheel was too high to pull back on. I felt it would be uncomfortable . Now all I have is headaches with wind knots. I'll tell you I've brought in fish this size on a 4500 no problem. ssv is a great reel. Thanks for the feed back.

[@gains7207]

what knot do you use to tie to plugs?

[@asrodfishing3007]

Which one of these would you say is replaced by the dark matter?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

All except the Guppy.

[@jamesarnold5554]

NICE!!!!!!

[@danm3340]

What beaches do you fish on?

[@hansperch6182]

how long is your leader line and how many lb?

[@jameseustace7178]

Where?

[@Luiggy2009]

u the best man

[@HWW147]

John do you use fluro carbon leaders

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Sometimes, for abrasion resistance. Always when false albacore fishing.

[@fishon1281]

could you use some fake ells instead of popper

[@viktornilaj9380]

where is this

[@jackfontenot8306]

Is this on any beach?

[@adamcosta4610]

Where do you put the butt of the rod? I found it difficult to maintain consistency with retrieve and action on the rod.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

between the legs

[@adamcosta4610]

a surf belt with a cup with the butt of the rod would be great. Thanks John. Love your books and content. fishing for summer flounder made it real clear to me why I wasn't catching quality fluke

[@colleenfaria6332]

What real is that John? Is that the spinfisher Bailess or the tourque

[@colleenfaria6332]

+SquirlyBringer thanks I replied to early in the video to hear it

[@justindamirgian1088]

+Colleen Faria there are great reels. I use the Penn 6500 live line for bass. it had a 2nd drag you adjust for when your live lining spot for stripers.

[@pastorrobinson892]

you vids are always epic and filed with info +1 sub here ty mate maybe one day we could link up and slay some SBass

[@jackprice4867]

How do I get you down to south jersey for a day of fishing with me?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Jack Price Step one is to invent a Star Trek style teleporter so I can beam over there without dealing with bridges, tunnels, traffic...

[@mikechampion7087]

+John Skinner Fishing hi john. first of all, I would like to say thanks for all the great videos! keep em coming! i've recently retired from nyc and have been using a lot of my free time fishing. Seeing your videos is an inspiration to us all. thanks for the slew of information, techniques, the gear you use and even knot and rig techniques. absolutely awesome stuff! I only have one simple request or question..I live in queens, and fish the north and south shores in long island. as you know the north and south shore is huge. I think ive seen all your videos and I wonder why it is you never give your audience the actual locations where you are fishing? ie; what town?, what beach? i would really love more information where exactly your catching these fish? if its jones beach, what field? robert moses? are you mostly fishing montauk? and how do I get ya down into queens. throgs neck and whitestone bridges? or even meet ya at west end 2? lol...thanks again John....and happy fishing!

[@Itssomewhere-vu8uz]

dawn or dusk ? thx

[@matthewherzog6155]

+Its 5.56:00 somewhere Dawn.

[@qhabnablaijtaus4243]

What is this rod

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It is this: www.lamiglas.com/skinner-rod-john-skinner-lamiglas-surf-rod/

[@alangonzalez3296]

did you catch these stripers recently or a while ago

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Alan Gonzalez August 2015

[@alangonzalez3296]

+John Skinner Fishing are stripers in right now or is it too late

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

+Alan Gonzalez Next 6 weeks are best.

[@alangonzalez3296]

Ok thanks

[@efface6264]

+John Skinner Fishing if the hurricane hits bad will it screw up fishing ?

[@franciscovaladez9970]

💧🍓🍈

[@quadboyz8128]

Getting a little lazy on the vids man

[@ia2835]

First

[@NMandaro]

very nice video! just wondering, it says surf casting, we're you in a kayak or standing in the water. also if you don't mind telling me because I didn't see it in previous comments, what time of day was this and what was the tide please and thanks.