So happy that i found your channel. I'm so glad to see a good north eastern fisherman documenting his catches. Also i went to Connecticut this week and caught 6 porgies on a fishing charter. Keep up the good work man.
I have this same bag. I've had it for going on 3 years now. the Velcro holds up very well and what I love best is the drainage holes on the bottom. I can hose off all my plugs and just hang the bag to drain.
I've had this bag for about 6 years now. One upgrade I've done is to make the drain holes in the bottom of the tubes a bit larger. When you take a wave, the tubes don't drain all that fast and you can feel the extra weight.
I picked up the three tube version and love it. It is perfect for me I have larger bags but on the north shore I often dont need a lot of lures and I mostly use bucktails pencils and bomber type lures and on the south shore I have a truck filled with lures so I just fill to the moment thanks for sugesting it
John, I have the smaller version of this bag (3 tube) and it is also fantastic. Very similar features and only 25 bucks at Larrys in Edgartown. Great for traveling light. By the way, that pocket on the front is for pliers. My bag has the same one on the side (where your porkrind pocket is).
I bought this bag and it also had a very short strap and was up under my armpit and quite uncomfortable. I solved this problem by cutting the strap to a one foot length on either end, adding grommets to the ends of the one foot long straps, and clipping in a longer adjustable strap I found on Amazon. Overall, it added about $10 to the cost of the bag. But now I am quite happy with the bag.
I just got back into fishing recently. I picked up an FJ Neil surf bag, similar size to this but lacking in the fact it doesn't have inside tin storage. The out side pouches under the lid are just ok for leaders and a pair of nippers/split ring pliers. The "big" outside pocket won't even fit a jar of pork rind. Regarding this bag, do hooks tend to snag the material at all? It looks like a good step up from the bag I'm using, not much more expensive, and it really won't break the bank.
Cool bag, that pouch at the bottom may be for a hook sharpener stone. I have the precisionpak OS2 fo the same price, it has those features and much more room with D-rings and wader belt loops. It also has two pouches for pliers. I use a plier in one and mini fiskar scissors in the other.
Hi I'm a big fan from Massachusetts and just bought your book "A Season on the Edge" Signed by you(I hope). This year has been slow for Stripers but has sped up lately in the last few days I've gotten a few hits and caught my first one of the year tonight. I'm young (6th grade) so I can't go where I want when I want. I mainly fish at my neighbors for small fish such as snapper blues, but when the bait runs it get crazy. The fish I caught tonight was around 2 feet but there were much bigger ones there. I use a Shakespeare 8.5 foot rod with a optix quantum reel lined with 15 pound mono. It's not the best setup but I don't have have much money. What are some lures I should buy? I usually fish poppers of docks. Thanks, your a big inspiration.
+Cyril Tveit Actually, you're the inspiration. Get a few small bucktails - 1/2 and 3/4-ounce and tip them with #50 pork rind or mister twister tails. Try a steady retrieve just fast enough to keep it from snagging bottom. Also get a Daiwa Salt Pro Minnow. Those two lures will cover a lot.
+Yeah puss I've been saltwater fishing for 3 years, it's my first year surfcasting and i caught my first striped bass last weekend it was only 22.3" but he gave a nice little fight, i cant wait to catch a nice one. I've been hooked on fishing since I was little and even though I don't usually catch much i still treasure every moment on the water
Do you have a problem with pork rind leaking by a week I feel my bag is covered and there is no juice left in the jar so I bought a pork rind holder but now I still have the problem with no juice left in the bottle and tips or do you just keep it as straight up as possible
Hello from Texas...when you attach your mono/fluro to braid, do you use a swivel or line-to-line knot? If a knot, which one? Thanks for your very informative videos...
Just go this bag - looks great & even better at the price at J & H Tackle. Fit's my extra inserts nicely - trying to go into production, so email me for more info ... Haven't used it yet, but there are a few fixes from making & retrofitting production bags over several decades: - Shoulder strap seems a bit short for anyone much over 6'. - Bucktail/jig pockets are open to the bottom & while large ones might fit better, smaller may fall all the way down & be difficult to pull out. - Velcro on the inside pocket is a bit difficult to open easily. - You already have JS's desire for deeper tubes, but that's the couple of $100 more bag. - No side flaps, like the more pricey ones - tho' probably easily retrofittable. On the plus side: - It easily fits my pre-production inserts. - Has what seem to be good hook hanger slots. - Fits nicely on a belt. Anyone figured out the front pocket yet ??? Tight lines & crush those barbs, so you can nicely release what yr not going to eat ...
I ended up with this bag at 50% off from a friend who worked at a sporting goods store. I wouldnt have paid the full price. Not worth it or i'm a cheapskate. Oh well. But i like the bag because the 2 compartments are held together by rubber cement glue so i was easily able to pry them apart. Having one compartment for a few lures, 2 extra shock leaders, phone and car keys and this bag is perfect. I also like the slits for a plie,s knives, tape measure, flashlight, etc.
The bottom Velcro looks like it gots through the little younger on the flap to make sure it doesn't open without you opening it. Someone else may have already said it. Don't feel like reading all the comments hahaha
i was in j&h yesterday looking at this bag. i like it but you know what hit me was that the velcro is very loud. if im in the back bay at night trying to stay quite. you think im over thinking it lol? ive had the green bag with the striper on it for a very long time i might just buy it again .
Any time you've got "too much" velcro, you can adjust it down by simply masking off an area of it with more velcro. Visit the sewing section of Wal-Mart or such and you can pick up a yard or two of sew on velcro strip in a roll for a few bucks. Avoid the iron on version since it has an adhesive built in. When you find yourself in worse fishing conditions again, you can just pull off your modification and it's back to full strength.
Very good video as usual! I have a couple questions.... I have a Mojo 9' 3/4-4 and will get a VSX200 this spring. I am traveling from Italy to Long Island next October and I want to bring my fishing gear with me. I will try to fish Montauk, and the south shore beaches like Democrat Point and the north fork of the island. Are the stripers still around in the first week of October, or is it too late? I know what lures to use, but I've been surf fishing with plugs for 5 years and I only have 28 plugs in total (I have to stock up), I tie my own Bucktails so I have about a hundred. I also have one more question, I use 30lb Spiderwire stealth on all my reels, but would you recommend Ultracast Invisibraid instead? Thanks in advance. :)
+John Skinner Fishing Thanks. I've never fished north of the Chesapeake Bay, but since I moved, I'm stuck to a literal hell hole of fishing. I hope they are around when I make the trip. Thanks for your help!
I've been surf fishing for over50. years ,brought this bag online from j and h tackle and I'm very unhappy! The strap is made for a 6 year old! Put it over my head and the bag was in my armpit. Nothing on the review about that PROBLEM! Also having a hard time finding another strap that will clip onto the bag.
+Brandon Janz I use the smaller one for freshwater and I would say hooks will get stuck. For the surf spend another 50-60 bucks and get Dacron you wont regret it
John,I'm not bashing you personally but there's inconsistencies with this bag. Short straps, no belt loops on some. Obviously no quality control at the factory. Thanks, Mike.
Anyone who has this bag that will throw it on a scale and tell me how much it weighs in ounces? I checked out the Shimano double row and it felt like a brick when empty. As you guys know, a 20% weight difference can make a big difference in all the gear we carry. Thanks
fantastic review! I'm in the hunt for a new bag to replace my old trusty shimano bag that j and h also carry. (great bag but slightly heavy). The prices of surf bags are ridiculous. I cannot justify paying $200 for a plug bag. This bag looks like a winner and is in the right price bracket. Your review covered all my questions but one - can those side pockets hold a water bottle? Gatorade size bottle?
i would personally focus on fluke right now since season is about to end but stripers are starting to come in so i would just focus on fluke until season ends and then i would focus on stripers
So happy that i found your channel. I'm so glad to see a good north eastern fisherman documenting his catches. Also i went to Connecticut this week and caught 6 porgies on a fishing charter. Keep up the good work man.
Keep up the awesome videos John, you're an excellent resource for us on the east coast.
I have this same bag. I've had it for going on 3 years now. the Velcro holds up very well and what I love best is the drainage holes on the bottom. I can hose off all my plugs and just hang the bag to drain.
+mike engel Good Stuff!
I've had this bag for about 6 years now. One upgrade I've done is to make the drain holes in the bottom of the tubes a bit larger. When you take a wave, the tubes don't drain all that fast and you can feel the extra weight.
Great review love your videos keep them coming!
I picked up the three tube version and love it. It is perfect for me I have larger bags but on the north shore I often dont need a lot of lures and I mostly use bucktails pencils and bomber type lures and on the south shore I have a truck filled with lures
so I just fill to the moment
thanks for sugesting it
John, I have the smaller version of this bag (3 tube) and it is also fantastic. Very similar features and only 25 bucks at Larrys in Edgartown. Great for traveling light. By the way, that pocket on the front is for pliers. My bag has the same one on the side (where your porkrind pocket is).
Thanks for the tips. Nice to know about the bag. Congrats.
That little outside compartment may be for nail clippers for cutting braid. I bought this bag and that’s what I’ll use that for.
Good review, looking to get one myself! Thanks.....
I bought this bag and it also had a very short strap and was up under my armpit and quite uncomfortable. I solved this problem by cutting the strap to a one foot length on either end, adding grommets to the ends of the one foot long straps, and clipping in a longer adjustable strap I found on Amazon. Overall, it added about $10 to the cost of the bag. But now I am quite happy with the bag.
Field and Stream in Melville has them. I paid I think $40. Great bag but wish the shoulder strap was longer. Other than that, worth the purchase.
I just got back into fishing recently. I picked up an FJ Neil surf bag, similar size to this but lacking in the fact it doesn't have inside tin storage. The out side pouches under the lid are just ok for leaders and a pair of nippers/split ring pliers. The "big" outside pocket won't even fit a jar of pork rind. Regarding this bag, do hooks tend to snag the material at all? It looks like a good step up from the bag I'm using, not much more expensive, and it really won't break the bank.
I have the 3 tube version of this bag and it's the greatest thing I've ever bought
Cool bag, that pouch at the bottom may be for a hook sharpener stone. I have the precisionpak OS2 fo the same price, it has those features and much more room with D-rings and wader belt loops. It also has two pouches for pliers. I use a plier in one and mini fiskar scissors in the other.
I have Bronco bag I bought from J and H about 6 or 7 years ago that has that exact design.
Great video John can you upgrade this to what your using in 2022 now. Thanks
Hey john, great review you're the most respected fisherman in my book, just a question, think this could hold a phone in the side pocket?
bought this bag very nice bag but shoulder strap is not long enough for me making it a pain to put on
Hi I'm a big fan from Massachusetts and just bought your book "A Season on the Edge" Signed by you(I hope). This year has been slow for Stripers but has sped up lately in the last few days I've gotten a few hits and caught my first one of the year tonight. I'm young (6th grade) so I can't go where I want when I want. I mainly fish at my neighbors for small fish such as snapper blues, but when the bait runs it get crazy. The fish I caught tonight was around 2 feet but there were much bigger ones there. I use a Shakespeare 8.5 foot rod with a optix quantum reel lined with 15 pound mono. It's not the best setup but I don't have have much money. What are some lures I should buy? I usually fish poppers of docks. Thanks, your a big inspiration.
+Cyril Tveit Actually, you're the inspiration. Get a few small bucktails - 1/2 and 3/4-ounce and tip them with #50 pork rind or mister twister tails. Try a steady retrieve just fast enough to keep it from snagging bottom. Also get a Daiwa Salt Pro Minnow. Those two lures will cover a lot.
Thank you so much I'll definitely go buy those. Have you ever fished in Fairhaven Massachusetts? If so for what?
I'm not John skinner but I can add some advice, keep fishing and never stop, you'll grow to love it more day by day.
+Yeah puss I've been saltwater fishing for 3 years, it's my first year surfcasting and i caught my first striped bass last weekend it was only 22.3" but he gave a nice little fight, i cant wait to catch a nice one. I've been hooked on fishing since I was little and even though I don't usually catch much i still treasure every moment on the water
Do you have a problem with pork rind leaking by a week I feel my bag is covered and there is no juice left in the jar so I bought a pork rind holder but now I still have the problem with no juice left in the bottle and tips or do you just keep it as straight up as possible
Can't beat that at that price nice!
What color pattern is that Super Strike Popper and where can I find one in that color? Thanks.
very neat, i carry a old ww2 army bag works great but i never organize it
Hello from Texas...when you attach your mono/fluro to braid, do you use a swivel or line-to-line knot? If a knot, which one? Thanks for your very informative videos...
+Levon de Carlo Swivel. Palomar on the braid end, clinch on the leader.
i was wondering if you have any advice for beach structure to fish and what are your recommendations for the fall run its my first fall fishing
+Chris Valiaveedan Time on the water and talk to your locals
Mr. Skinner, when using the 50 lb fluoro for your leader, what knot(s) do you tie to your tactical anglers clip and to the barrel swivel?
I bet he uses a polamar
Just go this bag - looks great & even better at the price at J & H Tackle.
Fit's my extra inserts nicely - trying to go into production, so email me for more info ...
Haven't used it yet, but there are a few fixes from making & retrofitting production bags over several decades:
- Shoulder strap seems a bit short for anyone much over 6'.
- Bucktail/jig pockets are open to the bottom & while large ones might fit better, smaller may fall all the way down & be difficult to pull out.
- Velcro on the inside pocket is a bit difficult to open easily.
- You already have JS's desire for deeper tubes, but that's the couple of $100 more bag.
- No side flaps, like the more pricey ones - tho' probably easily retrofittable.
On the plus side:
- It easily fits my pre-production inserts.
- Has what seem to be good hook hanger slots.
- Fits nicely on a belt.
Anyone figured out the front pocket yet ???
Tight lines & crush those barbs, so you can nicely release what yr not going to eat ...
great bag . brought two
I have this bag and I’m glad I bought it.
How has it held up
Boy oh boy that bucktail baggie at 2:14 would be a great give away !!! Lets hope for a great fall run 2015
I bought this and it didn't come with belt loops on the back still a nice bag tho
I ended up with this bag at 50% off from a friend who worked at a sporting goods store. I wouldnt have paid the full price. Not worth it or i'm a cheapskate. Oh well. But i like the bag because the 2 compartments are held together by rubber cement glue so i was easily able to pry them apart. Having one compartment for a few lures, 2 extra shock leaders, phone and car keys and this bag is perfect. I also like the slits for a plie,s knives, tape measure, flashlight, etc.
I do the same thing separating the two halves.
That bottom pocket looks like it could be used to carry a hook sharpening stone.
so sick mr. skinner
John and his arsenal of weapons.
The bottom Velcro looks like it gots through the little younger on the flap to make sure it doesn't open without you opening it. Someone else may have already said it. Don't feel like reading all the comments hahaha
John, is the arm strap removable?
Fluke season is almost over. Most big fish are in deep water now, 60 to 100 feet.
+DAVE P Goes too quick!
hmmmm...i just got the same bag in the mail today...there are no belt loops on the back like in this video? =(
Richard Haduca me too no bent loops on the back 😠😠😠
Richard Haduca same
i was in j&h yesterday looking at this bag. i like it but you know what hit me was that the velcro is very loud. if im in the back bay at night trying to stay quite. you think im over thinking it lol? ive had the green bag with the striper on it for a very long time i might just buy it again .
+Michael Hanlon I like knowing it will stay shut when hit by waves.
yes thats true. ive lost plugs from that now that you mention it.
Any time you've got "too much" velcro, you can adjust it down by simply masking off an area of it with more velcro. Visit the sewing section of Wal-Mart or such and you can pick up a yard or two of sew on velcro strip in a roll for a few bucks. Avoid the iron on version since it has an adhesive built in. When you find yourself in worse fishing conditions again, you can just pull off your modification and it's back to full strength.
Very good video as usual! I have a couple questions.... I have a Mojo 9' 3/4-4 and will get a VSX200 this spring. I am traveling from Italy to Long Island next October and I want to bring my fishing gear with me. I will try to fish Montauk, and the south shore beaches like Democrat Point and the north fork of the island. Are the stripers still around in the first week of October, or is it too late? I know what lures to use, but I've been surf fishing with plugs for 5 years and I only have 28 plugs in total (I have to stock up), I tie my own Bucktails so I have about a hundred. I also have one more question, I use 30lb Spiderwire stealth on all my reels, but would you recommend Ultracast Invisibraid instead? Thanks in advance. :)
+Alex Srodowski Stick with Stealth. 28 plugs is probably 20 too many. Early October is close to prime time, with later in the month better.
+John Skinner Fishing Thanks. I've never fished north of the Chesapeake Bay, but since I moved, I'm stuck to a literal hell hole of fishing. I hope they are around when I make the trip. Thanks for your help!
Hi assrod :D
+Yeah puss Who is this? I might have an idea... REVEAL YOURSELF!
Guess :)
where do you buy the lures?
Hes the John Whick of fishing 😎
I've been surf fishing for over50. years ,brought this bag online from j and h tackle and I'm very unhappy! The strap is made for a 6 year old! Put it over my head and the bag was in my armpit. Nothing on the review about that PROBLEM! Also having a hard time finding another strap that will clip onto the bag.
Mine isn't like that.
Would you say this bag has decent resistance to getting hooks stuck in it?
+Brandon Janz Yes. Tough material.
+Brandon Janz I use the smaller one for freshwater and I would say hooks will get stuck. For the surf spend another 50-60 bucks and get Dacron you wont regret it
John,I'm not bashing you personally but there's inconsistencies with this bag. Short straps, no belt loops on some. Obviously no quality control at the factory. Thanks, Mike.
I have the same bag
Anyone who has this bag that will throw it on a scale and tell me how much it weighs in ounces? I checked out the Shimano double row and it felt like a brick when empty. As you guys know, a 20% weight difference can make a big difference in all the gear we carry. Thanks
+73BLow Found a shop willing to throw one on a scale and let me know the weight - 2lbs 6.7oz
Ordered this until I get my flatlander bag
fantastic review! I'm in the hunt for a new bag to replace my old trusty shimano bag that j and h also carry. (great bag but slightly heavy). The prices of surf bags are ridiculous. I cannot justify paying $200 for a plug bag. This bag looks like a winner and is in the right price bracket. Your review covered all my questions but one - can those side pockets hold a water bottle? Gatorade size bottle?
+hhazim Not big enough for a water bottle.
+John Skinner Fishing Thanks. Oh well.. can't have everything right? There are other ways to carry a water bottle.
i mean that kind of lures
should i be focusing on stripers or fluke now?
i would personally focus on fluke right now since season is about to end but stripers are starting to come in so i would just focus on fluke until season ends and then i would focus on stripers
Porgies
What about porgies
+Alan Gonzalez alright i might go friday evening into night so i might try fluke early then when it gets darker stripers, clams or bunker??
Whole clam for sure or live bunker but i would go for whole clam
I heard u were using the penn clash I have 2 new rods avid surf 9!foot also tica same size what reel size do u recommend
+Fluke Killer 5000
+John Skinner Fishing thank u very much and keep the awesome videos coming keep doing what ur doing and u will get more subs thanks again
+Fluke Killer Good stuff
$60 for that plastic $5 Chinese bag is outrageous. Gee zuss people make your own.
Hey I'm a huge fan please come fishing with me on wendsday on the James Joseph out of huntington for porgies and sea bass please!! 7-3pm