So the other night, I was reading one of my fishing books about livebait fishing. They said a lot of freshwater guys use pencil eels as a trailer to bucktail jigs. A float is put on the line and it is trolled behind the boat.

Well, I was thinking about this the other night and was wondering if anyone has tried it. Mostly wondering if it would work sans float. Basically, you're using a REAL eel as a trailer on a very heavy jig. Through the mouth and out the eye I assume would be the most realistic method to hook them.

It might be just the thing to hit the deep spots of fast current areas. So if this sounds like an interesting theory or if you already do it, let me know how it works, allright?

Worth a try. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work, but I think a fresh dead eel would do better than live one in that case.

Your straying from where you need to go again... You have no deep spots near you.

This is all you need to know about eels:

Go to your jetty/reef/pier just before sunset with a moving tide.

You take a 6/0 Mustad (sharpened) attached to 30-50# mono leader tied to a smooth swivel. The rest of your running line, use whatever you want but in your area, I'd use 17# Big Game Green - minimum (I'm just real basic). You take the hook and run it down the mouth (of the eel, not yours ;D ) with the hook exiting arouns or slightly behind the jaw (depends on the size of eel). Your eel is a little pi$$ed at his recent tracheotomy but he's somewhat slowed down because you've used the icing methods talked about here in the past.

You bounce the rod tip so the eel doesn't ball up on you and you walk over to where you'll cast. At which point - a rather speedy, smooth arc of a cast will get your eel out there. No need to crank it as a crank gets only a few feet more that an easy lobb and you'll toss off more eels to a swift cast (as you get more comfortable, you'll tweak your casts)...

OK, Mr Eel has just landed in the water, whaddaya do now? You reel very very very slow so the eel will reach the bottom (if your eel has been on for a few casts, you don't need to reel at first when it goes to the bottom). Now reel very slowly - all of those sayings are true; "you can never reel to slow", "2 smoke retrieve", "if you think you're going slow enough, slow down some more", "5 missisippi handle crank"...

Do this time after time you will have success - leave all of your other crap at home. Force yourself to ONE method. Don't read anything beyond this thread. You are at a disadvantage (well, fishingwise) to where you live but not a great one. Make the most of it... But FOR CRYING OUT LOUD - STOP READING BOOKS!!! IT IS NOW A DETRIMENT TO YOUR FISHING!!!

Trust me - this will work if you give it a chance. Once you've done this several dozen times you will be ready for September/October when your area is lighting up. You will only be ready if you do exactly as I say right away!!!!

thats the way I do it . I just tweak things to suit my unconventional methods !

Is it september yet !!!!!

I didn't say I want to do it, I want someone else to try it. You are right, I have no deep holes around here.

I had a premonition though. They are usually right too. Some one using the eel on a bucktail rig to catch a MONSTER of a fish. That's why I was asking.

Hey, you're only screwing up your fishing. Frankly, I'm getting extremely tired of hearing about your "premonitions" about fishing because you don't have the cajones to go out and fish something simple and reliable. Then you say you don't have fish in your area. Now don't come back pi$$ing and moaning about it. Go out and fish. If you are not comfortable fishing solo at night, go down at false dawn and fish through sunrise...

GO FISH!!!

Ok Patrick here is a simple question for you. How many times have you gone fishing this year? Since I believe the answer to the question above is none, then how many times have you been out of your bedroom other than to use the bathroom? You can't catch fish if your line isn't in the water.

As a beginning angler, and believe me you are a beginner, you need to simplify your methods. Stop worrying about what is the greatest rod or reel etc. When I wanted to try conventional tackle I started with an upsidedown spinning rod I bought at Bradlees for $19.95 and used it for a full season.

Sooooooo, go buy some 5/0 eel hooks, some 40lb leader and a dozen eels and go fishing. If you want to fish plugs buy a Gibbs Stubby Needlefish in white and fish that. You could fish either one of those two methods and catch fish all season long year after year. It really isn't Rocket Science....

Ok on the question , yes , its an old trick to put an eel on a jig head to get it down in a current or to increase casting distance. You don't need a full bucktail jig though , just the bare jig head. In fact , if you still read SOL , I suggested that technique to someone about 3 months ago over there. I also described a jigging technique to use with that kind of set up. Angler #1 replied and also made some other suggestions. You can even use that trick with dead eels.

And I agree with John and Jeff , the best way to get good at fishing is to GO FISHING!! :)

Sorry Salt, didn't see your post on SOL.

Guys, I wasn't looking for advice although it is appreciated, I was just seeing if any of you guys use it.