John Skinner is a renowned author and videographer with over 50 years of saltwater fishing experience. He is particularly well-known for his expertise in surfcasting for striped bass, albies, and fluke. 

His "real job" as a computer scientist at the prestigious Brookhaven National Laboratory means he always asks why? This curiosity has served the surfcasting community very well.

Over the years, he has contributed to various publications, including On the Water, The Surfcaster's Journal, and Shallow Water Angler. He is known for his methodical and productive approach to fishing. Recently retired, he now splits his time between Eastern Long Island, New York, and Pine Island, Florida.

He shares his knowledge through a top-rated YouTube channel and several self-published books. He is one of the authors I find myself rereading the most. You can buy John's books here.

In this episode, Peter Jenkins of the Saltwater Edge podcast converses with renowned author and videographer John Skinner. John shares his exhaustive knowledge and personal experiences from a career spanning over 50 years, touching on the importance of learning local fishing spots and minimizing tackle diversity. They also discuss John's work with underwater video footage, providing invaluable insights into fish behavior. The episode offers practical tips for both beginners and seasoned anglers and culminates with John revealing his favorite fish to catch.

00:00 Introduction to the Saltwater Edge Podcast
00:33 Introducing Today's Guest: John Skinner
01:18 John Skinner's Recent Fishing Adventures
02:12 Challenges and Changes in Fishing Locations
04:36 Unusual Fishing Patterns and Observations
10:30 The Popularity of John Skinner's YouTube Channel
12:27 Deep Dive into Bucktail Fishing Techniques
29:57 John Skinner's Analytical Approach to Fishing
34:51 Discussing Pencil Poppers
35:40 Top Water Lures: Pencil vs. Spook
37:47 Choosing the Right Pencil: Plastic vs. Wood
40:07 Insights from Underwater Videos
41:17 Fluke Fishing Techniques
48:15 Blackfish Behavior and Fishing Tips
52:40 Fishing Tips and Techniques
53:53 The Evolution of Fishing Videos
57:10 Final Thoughts and Future Plans