I find myself getting down to fish late at night, which is a good thing. Work and other obligations keep me from leaving for a night on the water until after usual business hours. It' a good schedule for fishing but there's a dilemma: where to get eels? A 24 hour bait shop in So. Co. or east of the canal would be great... I'll keep dreaming :hihi: In the meantime, who is open the latest in So Co/Narragansett area? I might have to try a little harder to get there in time. Also, I know it's a long shot, but is there anyone north of Providence that carries eels? Some of you guys up here in Central Ma., what’s your game plan for last minute snakes?

Best thing to do is not rely on the bait shops. Set up a livewell and keep your own. Anytime you need them they are there. Works well for me. You can make a very cheap livewell for snakes with a walmart rubbermaid tub and cheap fish tank bubbler.

Captain Don's corner of Rt1 and Rt 216 in Charlestown is pretty good about working out off hour arrangements. When the season is in full swing he is sometimes open till 9PM. Great guy. Good place to fondle and purchase gear.

And I think Quaker Lane is open until 8 in case you're not heading all the way down by Capt Don's. There was also talk of Wildwood outfitters starting a delivery service to the late night haunts. Kind of like an ice cream truck but with coffee and fishing goodies!

What about buying them the day beforeand keeping them on ice?

Set up a livewell and keep your own. Anytime you need them they are there. Works well for me. You can make a very cheap livewell for snakes with a walmart rubbermaid tub and cheap fish tank bubbler

Do you think I could use a 10 gallon fish tank set up...got an old one I can use? :huh:

Captain Don's corner of Rt1 and Rt 216 in Charlestown is pretty good about working out off hour arrangements. When the season is in full swing he is sometimes open till 9PM. Great guy. Good place to fondle and purchase gear.
is this the same CAPT. DON's that was used during the tri-state in years past? if so, I second what you say.... he would keep the place open around the clock during the tournement and provided a hearty carribou stew to boot.

If you do make your own eel tank BE SURE to make some kind of framed screen cover for it with NO OPENINGS ANYWHERE or the slimy devils will make an escape, crawl into some unknown corner of your basement or garage, die, fester and eventually EXPLODE and the smell is something you will never forget.

Do you think I could use a 10 gallon fish tank set up...got an old one I can use? :huh:
You could but it would be a PIA changing the water. You have to change the water often to keep them alive. I do it every other day. You're better off making a 2 bucket setup like MacoJoe explains in the "How To" forum.
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=9001

I have a 30 gallon fish tank you can have.......come get it or I could meet you sometime. It's 30"L x 12"W x 12"H

Very simple to buy eels and keep them in a tank at home, thats what I do. Then there always there ready to go.

When I am using eels I will buy them up to a week early. I, and a friend made a bucket for them and even in the summer heat I can keep a few dozen for a week easy!!

Just put your eels in it with some seaweed, put the basket in the top with ice. Keep in shade or cool basement, garage.
The Ice will melt and give the eels a cold shower, keeping them cold, wet and happy!!

You can see how to make the bucket in the "how to" section here

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=9001&page=1&pp=20

is this the same CAPT. DON's that was used during the tri-state in years past? if so, I second what you say.... he would keep the place open around the clock during the tournement and provided a hearty carribou stew to boot.


Not sure, but this sounds like something he would do - he goes out of his way to take care of folks. It's like he feels guilty if he is not open or providing a means to those who need access to gear and bait off-hours. Also, watch out for the killer poultry that wanders around outside - you could lose a leg!

Thanks for the suggestions! :kewl:

I had thought about buying extra and keeping them at home. I'll definately give it a whirl soon. Soometimes I can't go every weekend so I wonder if the bucket and ice deal would hold them two weeks? I guess a cheap air pump for a fish tank and large plastic container from Wally world would be just as cost effective and easy. I'd like to try rigging some too. Never tried it but I have heard good things about using them.

Do you think I could use a 10 gallon fish tank set up...got an old one I can use? :huh:

I use a 20 tall but I have a filtration unit for it along with the bubbler, also modified a screen top from keeping reptiles that keeps them from doing the great escape.

They keep the dog amused. :hihi:

There is a bait store in West Boylston off 190 exit 4 or 5 at the injtersection of Rt. 12 and 140. Anglers and Archers that carries eels. It is near the West Boylston WalMart. I usually will buy my eels earlier in the day and then keep them cool in a bucket and let some ice melt over them. I fish a lot at night and have never had a problem keeping them for a few hours a head of time.

There is a bait store in West Boylston off 190 exit 4 or 5 at the injtersection of Rt. 12 and 140. Anglers and Archers that carries eels. It is near the West Boylston WalMart. I usually will buy my eels earlier in the day and then keep them cool in a bucket and let some ice melt over them. I fish a lot at night and have never had a problem keeping them for a few hours a head of time.

Thanks Tynan! That's news to me. W.Boylston is where I'm going all the time for short trips to Wachusett with the little one anyways. It would make it so easy to take a quick trip down on a week night to stock up for the weekend. :happy: Wait a second, is that the one right next to the packie next to wachusett?

Right new to the Honey Dew! Thanks for the info, I drive right by there every day! :ss:

Wait a second, is that the one right next to the packie next to wachusett?


No that is B&A tackle off Rt. 12 The other one is if you are coming from fitchburg and you get off exit 5. Just stay on 140 into West Boylston Center. There is a Honey Farms at the intersection. A&A is right next to it.

Gotcha! :btu:

I know the place now. Never been in but have driven by many times. Thanks again Tynan.

I use a 3 bucket system
from top to bottom
one for ice with holes
one for the eels with holes
one for the slime with a spicot ( thanks saltheart)
leave the spicot open and attach a hose thats goes outside your garage or vehicle . when the ice melts it will flow out of the 3rd bucket and no build up to drown the eels . Ive kept eels for up to 3 weeks with out to many dying .
never needed em longer . you do have to stay on top of the ice .

I buy my eels locally for 90 cents at regular business hours and the drive to the fishing grounds . usually thats not a problem I live in Ct and fish RI and the cape

Tynan, that's right, Honey Farms not Dew. Another Senior moment.
Yep ChrisL the 3 bucket system is the best I've ever used to keep eels. It's worth the minute amount of effort it takes to build one.

Your welcome. Same hear as Chris L and Jake 3 bucket system works great.
Jake do you have a far comute or do you live near us?

I live in Clinton, work on Goldstar Blvd

DIdn't know that, I thought you lived down on the cape. Goldstar is only 5 min from my house in Holden. Thats almost a 2 1/2 hour ride down to the lower cape. Jake you don't work for Fallon do you? My wife knows a Jake from PT.

This is my set up after much thought on which tank I was going with.. I ended up with this.

Tapped into the wash room for drainage, water & eletric.
This holds my stash (30 eels plus) just fine with only water changes every third day and air. A fish basket fits perfect inside to cull my snakes. I leave a flat rock in the basket they seem to like it. I traced and cut two peices of plywood and cut a large hole in each, a 3/8" screen is between the plywood ...they don't get out. I drilled a small hole for an air tube. The drain valve allows saves alot of time;)

and a little weed ta make it homey

Fin and Feather in Upton, MA carries live eels....not sure of their hours....

When I was at A&A yesterday, I found out that they stock there eels at their Leominster Location. It is off exit 7 on 190 towards Leominster. Three streets down on your left Marquee street or something. You can look up the # using 411 didn't see it in the yellow pages. This will be a lot closer to Fitchburg and he said he has lots of eels. I just got some good ones from him also.

That's great! It can't get much closer than that unless they sold them at Market Basket! I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I got the little one this weekend, might try to get away with him to Salisbury State for a overnighter. Probally won't bother to try any serious fishing though. Tough to fish with a three year old but he loves the idea of it. Taken him "fishing" at Wachusett several times. Will definately start stocking up next week for RI and then P-Town over the Fourth.

I use an old Igloo cooler with about 10 gallons of water and 2 aerators. It will keep about 18 eels alive for weeks. Have to change the water every couple of days especially if you feed them.

BTW, I found dried shimp krill at Wallyworld for food. Feed the snakes once a week. I have about 6 or 7 eels that have been in the tank since May 29th. Started with 2 dozen and take about 6 to 8 out for a ride to the beach every night. I put back whatever is left from the nights fishing.

I have an old plastic mayonnaise jar I hang off my wader belt for carying the eels. Put the eels in and a good hand full of ice cubes. I use a piece of old burlap to take one out and put on the hook. Works great as you are self contained and mobile. Drill lots of holes in the bottom of the jar so the eels drain.