It's my first time using eel on the ditch do you have any input guys on which hook to use. I had a Mustad 8/0 and a Gamazuka (I think spelled it right) self setting hook the circular one on a 60lb flouro carbon leader and Berkley Big game 25lb with a 60lb spro swivel (the small one). Do i need to use a snap on swivel before setting the hook on the leader?

I use a little SPRO swivel to a 3' section of 40 or 50# mono to a 6/0 Octopus hook. Some use 5/0 some 7/0. I can't see using an 8/0 unless you had come conga size snakes...don't need any snap anywhere.

-spence

6/0 mustard short shank, 3ft 50lb berkly vanish flouro, #3 swivel (90lb?)Used 6/0 with big eels and had o problems

6/0 or 7/0 short shank tuna hook and 3 foot leader of 50 pound Quarto camo line (so I’m cheap) with the hook tied to the red section.

spro 130 pound swivel - the eyes are not what they used to be!

a 7/0 or 8/0 VMC/gami circle with 2ft of 50lb floro attched to a spro 100lb swivel

My set-ups, barrel swivel to 50lb Flouro, to 5/0-7/0 Gamu Live Bait HDs. I eel 70-80% of the time in the ditch. Mustads are junk compared to Gamus, they don't hold a point even after sharpening.7/0 Gamu Octopus work in a pinch too.Buy them by the box in the winter.

Tony, I use 6/0 and 7/0 Gami Octopus, why do prefer the Gamu Live Bait HDs?

91450 6/0 Eagle Claw but you got to sharpen them.

Krispy, maybe just a personal pref.But I like the size and toughness of the LB HD's. Been using now for 3 years.

5/0 or 6/0 gami octs tied to 4 ft of 40 lb flouro tied to sampo.
but i've never fished the ditch, so i guess thats worthless info.
_Z_

I've had the 5/0 octopus hook break before. Use the gami 7/0-8/0 live baits now.

I'll put another vote in for the Gami HD Live Bait hook. The beauty of that hook is that it will NEVER be the weak spot in your rig. It's also the hook I put on the back of metals I use for schoolie BFT.

Gami also makes a 4X Octopus which is really strong, but I rarely see it in shops. Besides the Edge. :D

Rizzo just reminded me why I switched. Bent about half dozen octopus style hooks in canal.Sometimes setting the hook on a big fish going away in fast current puts an awful lot of stress on the hook.Never had a LB HD bend or break.

i use 4/0 and occasionally 5/0 (only on real big eels) Gami heavy duty live bait. i have been through every type of hook possible for eeling from circle :yak4: to mustad to octopus and i always came back to these. just like everything else, experiment until you find what works for YOU.

http://65.36.161.94/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/gamu_livebait_hook_heavy_duty_lg.jpg

Thanks for the input guys. I always use Uni knot to tie the hook would that break?

5/0 Live Bait HD Gamakatsu Snelled on 40# Seaguar Florocarbon.


5/0

For you guys that use smaller hooks, which way do you hook them?

-spence

Originally posted by spence
For you guys that use smaller hooks, which way do you hook them?

-spence do you mean where? i use the classic in the lower jaw and out the eye.

JBAP, RE: Knot

I think you should use a palomar knot which is easy, strong and you can tie it with your eyes closed, or snell if you know how and have the time.

Zac

In the throat & out the eye socket.


5/0

Size 3XXX Trebble hook snelled with 4ft of 60# fluro to a size 4 (120#) Spro power swivel.

Originally posted by t.orlando My set-ups, barrel swivel to 50lb Flouro, to 5/0-7/0 Gamu Live Bait HDs. I eel 70-80% of the time in the ditch. Mustads are junk compared to Gamus same deal with me, except I use a 65lb flouro and I have 65#pp with dacron backing..to cheap to fill a whole spool with PP... :rollem: I hook em thru the throat and out thru its head, right between the eyes..works damn good, those slimey suckas last foreva...got the "where to hook" out of "Reading the Water-Post...Kevin Hearn on the Vineyard"

I have recently switched to the Gamakatzu 5/0-6/0 circle hooks. I use a 130# SPRO on 60# Ande and snell the hook,its about 15" long. I attach this to my regular leader via a snap because I do switch from plugs to eels frequently.
The circle has been great, hooking fish in the jaw. Where I've been fishing you can lose touch with the eel after the fish picks it up and I was afraid that I would gut hook them. The circle has been great and it is an incredibly strong setup.