Underwater Drone Test Along Forbidden Government Research Island

It's the subject of conspiracy theories, books, and movies, but to me its boulder strewn shoreline and nearshore waters scream to be explored for fishing. Supports my new book, Fishing the Edge - Techniques and Tales from Surf, Boat, and Kayak: amzn.to/3TQtFvq.
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Fishfinder Coastmaster Chart - bit.ly/34KEcQo

[@BStavFishing]

Incredible footage!! I can't tell you how many times I've referred friends and viewers to your underwater drone footage of you actively fishing for tog and the behaviors of the other species during each drop. Bravo Skinner! Bravo!

[@ofacefan]

Some of those formations definitely did have soft coral polps which is very interesting, also some Coraline algae with the purple and red and other colors. Awesome footage can't wait to see what you can capture from this perspective.

[@josesantana561]

Great video John. You never disappoint. I may get this drone for some upcoming fishing in the gulf.

[@PlugChuckers]

If you're in the market for another adult son, I'm available for adoption.

[@remobeater]

😂

[@noreastsportsman6499]

This comment deserves more attention 😂😂😂

[@joshrussell9460]

Me too 😅

[@andrewomalley2688]

I've been wondering why you havent put up any underwater footage lately. I'm sure these are more difficult to film and edit than the topside fluke/blackfish videos but these are so much neater. Thanks for the content!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Water quality is the problem. This was marginal but the best in a while.

[@johnappleseed936]

hey john. we get a ton of golden blackfish to the west. i get them a lot in rye and new rochelle. very rocky.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Good to know. Thanks!

[@PapaMav]

Pretty cool. Another excellent RHHS student. :)

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

He'd appreciate that!

[@jobino511]

Thanks for more great content john! I havent fished summer tog in a looong time, but with the limited seabass action this year and striper slump due to flooded rivers, i figured why not. Had a great month of tog fishing on the central ct side of the sound durring our summer season (2 fish per dsy for August). Did well using green crab and a few blue crabs. They seem to definately prefer the greenies to blue crabs and clams. Had several 2 man boat limits. Almost all my keepers were landed on your jig and bounce spin rod! LOVE that rod! I woukd love to see you get that drone wet when the albies roll through. That would be a sight!

[@jobino511]

Water temp was about 69 to 72 degrees. Fish came from 10 to 25ft of water.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I'm glad you're enjoying that Jig and Bounce Spin! Maybe it's the flooded rivers that have made the Sound so silty.

[@johnconnolly3635]

I am hoping you take that to Florida and film?

[@johnconnolly3635]

Especially around all the mangrove islands to see what is lurking their

[@ChesterZawacki]

Nice video. The yellow growth on the rock is likely a sponge-most likely the yellow boring sponge Genus Cliona. Sometimes called sulphur sponge.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for that!

[@okeefer2000]

Thats the smallest hopper I've ever seen in the bottom of a pool, and I've been doing pools in the Hamptons for 25 plus years. Nice liner patter tho. Looks great when the pool is running. Hides the dirt

[@dennisgeorgatos3920]

That is amazing

[@wishinone]

Interesting, I heard before I moved to FL from CT that Plum Island was being shut down. I guess they changed their minds.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It is still operating, but I'm not sure for how much longer.

[@LongIslandLethals]

I was looking at these last night after seeing gold miners use them for prospecting under ice. A very hard one to beat. 👍

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Maybe I can use it to get our bucktails back at Cartwright.

[@LongIslandLethals]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing 😂😂😂

[@theundisputedone5646]

Hello Mr. Skinner! At around 5:16 you say there are some “burgaws”? What are those fish called/spelled because I’ve never seen them?

[@xraygeeoff]

Bergals

[@jamsian763]

Cunner is another name

[@theundisputedone5646]

@@xraygeeoff Thank you!

[@theundisputedone5646]

@@jamsian763 Thank you!

[@jfisher101]

Do you think SCUBA gear spooks the bottom fish? Blackfish, Sea Bass, Stripers?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Sea bass no, blackfish not much, stripers yes.

[@L.IHOOKZNHUNT]

Does the cable float to avoid a snag?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It occasionally catches a rock, but never the propellers. It's breaking strength is 176 pounds. And amazingly I wasn't paying attention and hit the cable with my trolling motor prop, but no sign of damage.

[@mustafabereket6108]

Very very beautiful

[@CP-rp7yp]

not even porgies huh, has there been chemical runoff from the island?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

The waters surrounding Plum Island are about as pristine as you'll find that close to Long Island's North Shore. I think the extra rain a few weeks ago didn't help with the water quality, as the Ct rivers pumped a lot of silt in. Plus the water is still a little warm.

[@gennerobootz6490]

How close can you get to plum island before dhs come out

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Don't know, but I was apparently OK because we were watched for the first 30 minutes or so.

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing oh dam lol

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing who guards that place Department of Homeland Security or the army

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

DHS I believe.

[@gennerobootz6490]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing i have a uncle who a fbi agent he tells me some crazy stuff about that island I think he’s joking but you never know

[@PeterOkeefe54]

John it is the government responsibility to mark anywhere "restricted" with clear signage or fences. You are media which means freedom of the press so you are protected by the first amendment and can take pictures from any public space. Many people dont know this but anywhere the public can be you can video. Its a right earned in blood by our forefathers. From Monmouth to battery wagner to The Argonne,red dog omaha, or City of Hue our ancestors earned it for us. Never let your rights be crushed..it cost too much

[@patrickgregory1078]

Was that a skull at 17:15?

[@tolpacourt]

Small grey. Escapee from the bio research lab on the island.

[@WD-41469]

Thanks for the absence of music, John

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

One of my favorite comments of all time.

[@PlugChuckers]

Think a shark would crush it if one bit?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

It would make awesome video finding out, but I think sharks are more selective than that.

[@PlugChuckers]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing it's all in how you work it, you know that ;) For some reason reminded me of those videos during shark week 20 years ago pulling boogie boards behind the boat and getting great whites to smash them.

[@robertgoldman3685]

"No fair!" say the fish. This gizmology takes the skill and experience out of fishing.

[@QYSEA-FIFISH]

Thank you very much for the terrific showcase John! Wishing you many more amazing dives ahead! 🌊🌊🌊

[@jrod1077]

Would love to see a drone video of Plum Gut to show the tens of thousands of lures and jigs that have been lost on the bottom! Probably too deep and the current would be too strong.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Agreed!

[@gennerobootz6490]

Can’t wait for black fish season

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

That is a fantastic drone, John! No need for music - just the original sounds and voice over, or silence. Curious to see footage when the water gets clearer.

[@earthsciteach]

That's a really capable drone. The price isn't as bad as I thought it would be, either.

[@tolpacourt]

Thank you for not putting music on your videos.

[@robgrubb420]

awesome Mr.Skinner can't wait to see more !

[@comfortablynumb9342]

That drone is great. I'd have to mount a speargun on it for poking a fish. It's interesting that there's a Plum Island up there you can't go on, there's one called Plum Tree Island near Hampton VA that has no access because of unexploded ordinance from WW2 bombing practice and it was a dump site so regular people can't go there. However Salt Strong's map marks the mouth of the river there as great at times, especially the southern end of the island. It's the Back River and Langley AFB is right upsteam a little ways. We catch redfish, trout and flounder in the area.

[@mikeknottscreek8183]

Excellent video, felt at times I was watching National Geographic. Sitting down with a hot cup of coffee and seeing your video was a nice surprise this morning.

[@derekalexander4030]

No two headed pig carcasses? That’s a great drone, very controllable. Maybe you can use the arm to catch the fish you select with some bait on a hook and target the big one.

[@harrisgraves592]

Could use the robotic arm to pick lures off the bottom. Loose less snags and or find lost ones and retrieve them.

[@SD-ft6gs]

this looks like man made environmental degradation... It looks like the result of excessive agricultural runoff... very frustrating to see... I wish we had underwater footage of the conditions underwater there 15/30/45/100years ago to be able to compare conditions. I imagine that the water quality has actually improved from 30y ago as an effect of the clean water act, and the reduction of some harmful chemicals and pesticides; but fertilizer usage is still pretty much uncontrolled, so the excessive blooms are probably from this...

[@johnlanigan4130]

Nice going John, interesting as usual.

[@superstarr-hs4tn]

lost my anchor right there last year. It was a Delta anchor.

[@rodshelley1170]

I understand that the PIADC on Plum will be transferring to a new location in Kansas (about 115 miles from me) around the end of this year (2024). Assuming we all survive the election, of course. Very cool video - I've gotta get one of those! My other drones can't swim! LOL

[@x97schmid]

Still loving the Fifish? I have seen mixed reviews on this company

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes. 100% so far.

[@Redcrown48]

Pretty murky overall, you have had better footage in the past. The unit looks large and you could grab things. Maybe go after jigging spoons and start a used spoon business, just kidding. How did your Florida property make out?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Florida OK thanks. Better underwater video ahead.

[@user-ni9fo1gm1t]

I'd pay money for you to use this at cartwright to see how much lead and bucktails are down there!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

90 minutes of the bottom of cartwright: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3yTpZl4rNCSmNE

[@shawnharris2242]

Plum island has a very interesting history. I read that the government was worried about it being a potential attack site after 9/11. I guess the lab and research was relocated to Kansas and the island was put up for sale in 2008. I believe the nature conservancy bought it and are trying to restore it.

[@peterzeuschner1039]

The yellow on the rocks is interesting, any idea what turns their flesh blue? I didn't see anything blue in the video, used to catch black fish off the beach in orient on the sound side and often the meat was bright blue.

[@mustafabereket6108]

Hello TÜRKIYE for mersin

[@grahamlamb8473]

Really cool drone!! You mentioned something about the lack of lobster. Is this due to the warm water temps, or is there something else going on.

[@rgonzo1979]

Hi Skinner, curious if you have heard of the Billion oyster project? If so do you think it will help our costal waters?

[@murrayblhrc]

But where'd the lobsters go?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

This is just my theory. I think the sea bass did them in. They're eating machines and they're everywhere and we did not have them like this when I was younger. Again - just my theory. While we're at it I also blame sea bass for the demise of the winter flounder.

[@jennifergregory7461]

Silence is golden.

[@alexdolly6077]

Great Footage, very Educational. As I'm watch this, I'm trying to understand how one does Not get repeatedly snag when fishing Tog jigs. Do you have any footage of working a Tog jig and or Chicken rig in similar environment?

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGi2hqGKZ7qNhLM

[@FMorgigno1]

That was a really cool video, John. I’m amazed by the lack of diversity in fish species and quantity. Perhaps the water temps are just too warm.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I was really surprised that the plum rocks weren't infested with fish. I'll go back when the water cools and clears.

[@stereolababy]

i got a tour of plum island a few years ago its beautiful and there is an old brick building on eastern side thats falling apart. it would make a great camping area. snipers kill any deer that make it to the island because of the diseases that are researched there. they protect our beef from hoof and mouth disease basically. awesome big bass fishing in the rip too

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Nice comment. Few people other than employees get to go there.

[@JoeToz]

Looking forward to seeing underwater video with this when you head back to Florida.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Me too!

[@TheCiardellas]

Debating which underwater drone to get

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I've had three like this. This is by far the best. One was so bad I never put it on video. The yellow underwater one had its props freeze up from the salt, even though I'd soak it in fresh water after use. This one has a cleaning program that you run with the drone submerged in fresh water to get the salt out. The level of fine control on this one is amazing.

[@TheCiardellas]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing thanks for taking the time to respond I fly racing drones and RC airplanes What really draws me to this one is how maneuverable it is.. you can do rolls and flips etc Also it looks like you never loose connection and the footage is very clear Wasn’t planning on spending over a grand but I think this is the one!

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

If you already know how to control a drone, you'll be in great shape with this one. I'm running it in beginner mode.

[@TheCiardellas]

@@JohnSkinnerFishing sounds like a blast! Looking forward to give it a try You said you tried a yellow one.. was that the gladius mini? That’s the other one I’m looking at.. but it definitely isn’t capable of all the acrobatic maneuvers the fifish is

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Yes - Gladius mini. It's probably good for freshwater.

[@robertgoldman3685]

When we were kids in the 60s, my dad and others thought that biological warfare testing was going on there.

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

I don't know why anyone would think that, but as I said in the narration, it was fertile ground for conspiracy theories. I worked 28 years at Brookhaven Lab. There were those who said we had recovered aliens and space ships there. Obviously not true.