love the little doc. my favorite is a little thicker than a regular doc, about 2.7 oz and 7" long. the classic 9" doc casts worse, has worse action in my opinion. the lil doc is not a great casting plug either but it's durable, has legitimately great action, and it handles big water as well as flat water. use a relatively moderate rod and a slow retrieve and let the tip flex do the working of the plug. they really do work wonders, especially on a calm day when nothing else wants to bite. nothing beats watching a big one stalk your spook. the pencils kick up so much water it's hard to see what is going on sometimes. the spooks leave a neat little wake and you get to see a predator at work and often a following wake before the strike and it's a sight to behold. just imagine going face first for every meal you ever ate. yeeesh. great videos as always. gopro never does the fish any justice. those are some cows. big jaws on them. eating shellfish and adult bunker at that point. when they get that big and they can swallow giant prey the sky is the limit. some of those cows might get out to sea and hit 80 lbs before some trawler gets them.
Some real nice strippers, I like the fact you squeeze the barbs in, the quick releases and no picking up the fish for the money shots! Very respectful to the resources! Sweet!
Great video John. I normally use a 10 1/2 surf rod to throw larger spooks. The technique I use to work a spook with a long rod length is much like a pencil poppin. Just slow spook rhythm Up lifts instead of side swipes. saves my wrists and results in same excellent action and strikes.
The tips you share is always gold!! I love seeing the master at work! Hopefully I can put some of your tips to work on the surf shortly. I think it’s about time for me to try here in NJ. Thanks for the video!
Thank you very much for your videos. At 45 years old, I decided to take up fishing. I've been using your channel for research purposes, before I buy any gear. The endless options has been beyond overwhelming, but your videos have been a great help. I'll continue watching and gaining knowledge, getting prepared for gear buying in the spring. Thank you, again.
Mr Skinner, were you fishing during the full moon phase in this video? I noticed what looks like the moon in the top left of the frame. If so do you find it better at night with full moon or mornings with waning moon into daylight.. its probably an age old question.
Got to ask..and im no expert with stripers.. i notice when you had one miss it, you kept the plug moving forward while you walked it.. one tactic thats good in florida is to walk it sitting still.. you can keep it moving side to side with out moving it forward.. if youve never tried it ..its great for snook and trout when you get back down here.. just curious if you tried that before or if you keep it moving forward purposely because its more effective.
I have always wondered if Bass hang in spots/holes along the coast, or are constantly moving. Hard to tell some days. I fish a ton around midcoast Maine.
Perfect flat conditions for us to see the action and the fish, thanks. So you went on this trip with the idea of catching stripers and you know the area really well, I’m curious to know if you brought more than 1 rod and how many lures you brought.
Same idea as a pencil popper except you shake the rod and keep your hand high pinching line like you showed with your thumb and index finger. Also shaking rod Suttle but aggressive
Hey John the bucktails that S&S makes for you, do you know what kind of paint they’re using? I have a couple of them and the paint seems like it might be vinyl or enamel
John, two questions: 1. I've been surprised this year to see you've been fishing the North Shore so much and with surface plugs. You have almost no videos with bucktails on the South. Is that because the North on the surface has been the most productive, the most fun, or the best video? 2. Really interested to hear you say you would move after five casts with no hits. Other guys tend to move a lot, but I've noticed in general you create a game plan and then stick to the spot, figuring the more time your lure is in the strike zone the better, including not wasting time moving from spot to spot. It's always been hard for me to figure how much these fish are moving around on a typical morning, and assumed they're moving a good amount along the shore, so if there are no fish at one moment, that doesn't mean they won't be there in ten minutes. But that's contradicted by your "five cast" rule. Thoughts?
I should have mentioned that the moves are small, like less than 100 yards. I'm trying to stay in the area with fish but go over new water. Big bass are lazy and don't move off their spots much. Not fishing the South Shore is entirely related to living where I do. It takes me about an hour to get to the South Shore beaches I fish and I have to leave a pretty good area to get there. Because of that, I lose touch with the South Shore. I have zero of a fishing information network. Just one guy that gives me some info occasionally.
Do the top water lures produce when it’s windy with a lot of texture on the water? In the beginning, the water was like glass. At the end there was a little texture. How about when it’s blowing 15 mph?
Hey John, a bit off topic but I was curious to know if you’ve ever tried crushed barbs with tarpon? Either single or trebles. I know it’s a challenge getting them to stick regardless but I was curious if you may have tried or your thoughts on it?
Hey John,;Love this and the FL content... How far are you casting with that set up and plug? Looks about 60 yards? but had to tell with the l;ens distortions and such.
John ….. is that the SALTX reel ? How do you like it ? I’m looking to upgrade. I have the tsunami airwave 11’ . Would you recommend the SALTX 6000 ? I also plan on buying a shorter 9’ airwave .
@@JohnSkinnerFishing I noticed at one point you said the drag is starting to stick on you and that you haven’t done any maintenance. What type of maintenance would you normally do on a reel like that ? Should someone be opening up a reel in the off season and cleaning out ?
At a minimum I should get at the drag washers and wipe things down. My "problem" is that I don't have an off-season anymore. As soon as I stop fishing here I head to Florida and fish there. Winter used to be a good time to properly take care of things.
@@JohnSkinnerFishing “problem “ 🤣🤣🤣🤣. That’s one hell of “problem”. 🤣🤣. I wish my problem was not having enough time to maintain my gear because I fish to much . My problem not having enough time for fishing 🤣
What I love about Skinner is that he gives no clues as to the exact spot he's fishing at, because if he did 100 guys would be on the spot the next day.
No doubt about that but he teaches you EVERYTHING else you need to know to find your spot. Notice he doesn’t even tell you the day. I’ve seen him black fishing before but gave him his space… aka watched him go by and spot lock on another rock close by.
I think it’s more valuable to know how to find your own spots, which John talks a lot about in his videos (and books/courses). That’s also nice bc then it helps wherever you live on Long Island or in the NE.
When you say you move after 5 casts without a fish, are you talking about a couple hundred feet down the beach or are you talking about moving to a completely different spot?
Hi John. Would you recommend the dark matter rod 9’2 for the surf(south side)? Was going back and forth between yours and the SaltX 9’6. I’m mainly looking for a lighter surf rod to replace an old heavier custom. Thx!
I bought his rod in the spring because it was so much cheaper than the lami. I know a couple guys using it around cape cod and we’ve all been impressed with it. Pretty light and good quality guides and seat. For the money you can’t beat it. Really throws everything from 1/2oz jighead to 4oz plugs
I love that spot. How many hours have your feet been planted on that rock? How deep is the water at the end of your cast? There appears to be a drop off and a small rip line to the right. John Skinner The Analytical Angler!
I hear you. That’s exactly how I felt last week. Then on Sunday I went out and caught four slot size stipers in a few hours. That’s fishing. Just when you think you’re down for the count, you’ll come roaring back. Trust me.
hearing John curse is awesome and therapeutic .😂
The audio deadspots are worse cursing.
Might as well take up sailing at this point
@@JohnSkinnerFishing this is my bedtime story. I watch these videos at night
@@kevinbuback hahaha same
love the little doc. my favorite is a little thicker than a regular doc, about 2.7 oz and 7" long. the classic 9" doc casts worse, has worse action in my opinion. the lil doc is not a great casting plug either but it's durable, has legitimately great action, and it handles big water as well as flat water. use a relatively moderate rod and a slow retrieve and let the tip flex do the working of the plug. they really do work wonders, especially on a calm day when nothing else wants to bite. nothing beats watching a big one stalk your spook. the pencils kick up so much water it's hard to see what is going on sometimes. the spooks leave a neat little wake and you get to see a predator at work and often a following wake before the strike and it's a sight to behold. just imagine going face first for every meal you ever ate. yeeesh. great videos as always. gopro never does the fish any justice. those are some cows. big jaws on them. eating shellfish and adult bunker at that point. when they get that big and they can swallow giant prey the sky is the limit. some of those cows might get out to sea and hit 80 lbs before some trawler gets them.
Great video. This time of year I love the big spook for surf and inshore. Hard to beat topwater fun!
7:48 that bass wasn't playing around. Awesome full moon bite Skinner. That back drop looked awesome with the moon up there.
Some real nice strippers, I like the fact you squeeze the barbs in, the quick releases and no picking up the fish for the money shots! Very respectful to the resources! Sweet!
Rock & Roll Baby!
Great video John. I normally use a 10 1/2 surf rod to throw larger spooks.
The technique I use to work a spook with a long rod length is much like a pencil poppin. Just slow spook rhythm Up lifts instead of side swipes. saves my wrists and results in same excellent action and strikes.
Nice work Mr. Skinner. Fishing has been excellent on our side of the sound as well!
Good job love the action some real nice fish.
Great video as always! I learned a lot from you this year, thank you for that!
Good angling john , I wish we had fish like this in the UK 👍🇬🇧
not even me holding the rod and I got pumped for those topwater takes!
The tips you share is always gold!! I love seeing the master at work! Hopefully I can put some of your tips to work on the surf shortly. I think it’s about time for me to try here in NJ. Thanks for the video!
Nicely done,
Would enjoy doing that, I’ve caught some good ones, nothing like that.
Thanks for sharing your videos.
Nice.
Awesome striper vid John 🎣
Nice fish! I love walk the dog type lures! My go to topwater lures!
Thank you very much for your videos. At 45 years old, I decided to take up fishing. I've been using your channel for research purposes, before I buy any gear. The endless options has been beyond overwhelming, but your videos have been a great help. I'll continue watching and gaining knowledge, getting prepared for gear buying in the spring. Thank you, again.
That's a Good Day in my book ... 🎣😎👍
GIANTS - awesome footage!
John's a legend
WOW BIG BATE BIG FISH
Love those Spooks
I heard "Oh shit" loud and clear 🤣
Amazing !!
1st fish: “ok, nice fish”. 🤙
Awesome catch & release..✌🌈
Mr Skinner, were you fishing during the full moon phase in this video?
I noticed what looks like the moon in the top left of the frame. If so do you find it better at night with full moon or mornings with waning moon into daylight.. its probably an age old question.
About 4 days after the moon, which is why it's still high in the sky in the daylight. I'm not a fan of bright moonlight at night.
Got to ask..and im no expert with stripers.. i notice when you had one miss it, you kept the plug moving forward while you walked it.. one tactic thats good in florida is to walk it sitting still.. you can keep it moving side to side with out moving it forward.. if youve never tried it ..its great for snook and trout when you get back down here.. just curious if you tried that before or if you keep it moving forward purposely because its more effective.
I usually keep it moving, but I've done the pause in Florida.
What are you looking for when trying to see if bass are in the area
I have always wondered if Bass hang in spots/holes along the coast, or are constantly moving. Hard to tell some days. I fish a ton around midcoast Maine.
They hang.
Awesome Video Johnny !!! do you think the fall run is over ..? - and was this trip at dusk ? Beautiful big bass’ too !!!
Perfect flat conditions for us to see the action and the fish, thanks. So you went on this trip with the idea of catching stripers and you know the area really well, I’m curious to know if you brought more than 1 rod and how many lures you brought.
One rod. Carrying two is inconvenient. Only spooks and pencils in the bag.
@John Skinner Fishing can I use a pencil popper or spook in early spring like say in March? Will it be effective to fish this early in the spring 🤔
Fine to use early season, but maybe not in the coldest water.
I've been killing it on the north shore fish up to 35 pounds from the surf
Crushing the barbs down … thx for the tip
How do you get these dead calm conditions
Hurry up! The flats are on fire down here in Sarasota!
Awesome! I know the red tide was bad a month ago. I noticed on the maps that it cleared up.
Same idea as a pencil popper except you shake the rod and keep your hand high pinching line like you showed with your thumb and index finger. Also shaking rod Suttle but aggressive
Hey John the bucktails that S&S makes for you, do you know what kind of paint they’re using? I have a couple of them and the paint seems like it might be vinyl or enamel
It might be powder paint, but I'm not sure.
John, two questions: 1. I've been surprised this year to see you've been fishing the North Shore so much and with surface plugs. You have almost no videos with bucktails on the South. Is that because the North on the surface has been the most productive, the most fun, or the best video? 2. Really interested to hear you say you would move after five casts with no hits. Other guys tend to move a lot, but I've noticed in general you create a game plan and then stick to the spot, figuring the more time your lure is in the strike zone the better, including not wasting time moving from spot to spot. It's always been hard for me to figure how much these fish are moving around on a typical morning, and assumed they're moving a good amount along the shore, so if there are no fish at one moment, that doesn't mean they won't be there in ten minutes. But that's contradicted by your "five cast" rule. Thoughts?
I should have mentioned that the moves are small, like less than 100 yards. I'm trying to stay in the area with fish but go over new water. Big bass are lazy and don't move off their spots much. Not fishing the South Shore is entirely related to living where I do. It takes me about an hour to get to the South Shore beaches I fish and I have to leave a pretty good area to get there. Because of that, I lose touch with the South Shore. I have zero of a fishing information network. Just one guy that gives me some info occasionally.
Do the top water lures produce when it’s windy with a lot of texture on the water? In the beginning, the water was like glass. At the end there was a little texture. How about when it’s blowing 15 mph?
Calm to a light chop seems best. These don't cast well into a wind.
Will give this spook a try. Have been using a similar one from Jigging World but it rusts even when I wash it after use…
Big fan
when are you leaving for Florida? if you stay down there 6 months and 1 day your accountant will love it!
We'll be down in a couple of weeks. I'm feeling ready.
Hey John, a bit off topic but I was curious to know if you’ve ever tried crushed barbs with tarpon? Either single or trebles. I know it’s a challenge getting them to stick regardless but I was curious if you may have tried or your thoughts on it?
No, and I don't target them with trebles. Mostly chemically sharpened swimbait hooks that don't have very pronounced barbs.
10-4, thank you
Hey John How would you rate the fall fishing this year to previous ones?
Albies better, bass significantly worse. My fault on that though because I stayed on the North Shore when I should have fished the South Shore.
Hey John,;Love this and the FL content... How far are you casting with that set up and plug? Looks about 60 yards? but had to tell with the l;ens distortions and such.
That sounds reasonable.
Would you only use this on calm days John?
They seem best in calm to light chop.
You mentioned it’s almost a 4 oz plug. How would that cast with an Tsunami Airwave Elite 9’6” rated 3/4-3oz?
I have that rod, and it's good, but the rod I'm using has a more moderate taper and the ability to handle larger payloads.
What rod is this and size link don’t work
Everything is in the gear list except what JS used to make the water so darned smooth so we can see the blowups.
Great vid. When Florida?
Late November.
How many yards on the end of these casts ?
Bigger fan
He sounded like he meant it. John Skinner stalking stripers.
John ….. is that the SALTX reel ? How do you like it ? I’m looking to upgrade. I have the tsunami airwave 11’ . Would you recommend the SALTX 6000 ? I also plan on buying a shorter 9’ airwave .
3 seasons on the SaltX 6K and it's been great.
@@JohnSkinnerFishing I noticed at one point you said the drag is starting to stick on you and that you haven’t done any maintenance. What type of maintenance would you normally do on a reel like that ? Should someone be opening up a reel in the off season and cleaning out ?
At a minimum I should get at the drag washers and wipe things down. My "problem" is that I don't have an off-season anymore. As soon as I stop fishing here I head to Florida and fish there. Winter used to be a good time to properly take care of things.
@@JohnSkinnerFishing “problem “ 🤣🤣🤣🤣. That’s one hell of “problem”. 🤣🤣. I wish my problem was not having enough time to maintain my gear because I fish to much . My problem not having enough time for fishing 🤣
Nice !
What I love about Skinner is that he gives no clues as to the exact spot he's fishing at, because if he did 100 guys would be on the spot the next day.
No doubt about that but he teaches you EVERYTHING else you need to know to find your spot. Notice he doesn’t even tell you the day. I’ve seen him black fishing before but gave him his space… aka watched him go by and spot lock on another rock close by.
I think it’s more valuable to know how to find your own spots, which John talks a lot about in his videos (and books/courses). That’s also nice bc then it helps wherever you live on Long Island or in the NE.
You'll have every mamaluke crowding in there like Green Island
When you say you move after 5 casts without a fish, are you talking about a couple hundred feet down the beach or are you talking about moving to a completely different spot?
Do you service your reels or bring them to someone?
I do them myself usually.
@@JohnSkinnerFishing there’s a channel called tsg reel service that films reel breakdowns really well. The guy is super helpful
Ever try pausing the spook ?
Yes, both here and in Florida. I can't articulate when I use it though.
Is Biggest fan next?
Hi John. Would you recommend the dark matter rod 9’2 for the surf(south side)? Was going back and forth between yours and the SaltX 9’6. I’m mainly looking for a lighter surf rod to replace an old heavier custom. Thx!
I bought his rod in the spring because it was so much cheaper than the lami. I know a couple guys using it around cape cod and we’ve all been impressed with it. Pretty light and good quality guides and seat. For the money you can’t beat it. Really throws everything from 1/2oz jighead to 4oz plugs
I love that spot. How many hours have your feet been planted on that rock? How deep is the water at the end of your cast? There appears to be a drop off and a small rip line to the right.
John Skinner The Analytical Angler!
What state are you in?
ny
After skunking a few times in a row watching this is not making me feel any better 😆🤷🏻♂️
I hear you. That’s exactly how I felt last week. Then on Sunday I went out and caught four slot size stipers in a few hours. That’s fishing. Just when you think you’re down for the count, you’ll come roaring back. Trust me.
Shouldn't you ease up on the drag a bit?
Too many submerged rocks if I let the fish run around.
Would you ever throw a spook plug at night or is it mostly a day time plug?
Works at night too.
Two weeks ago? Not recent.
10 days ago.
Why don’t you eat them? To me it’s like why go fishing for big fish and not eat them?
It’s for sport