Jhabs are you the one I need to see about eel rigs?I sure could use some help!!

GB - what are you looking for in "eel rigs"? Are you using from boat or shore or both?

If it's trolling from a boat your looking for. Ask Nor-Easter to post a pic of his. I know they work great.

Looking for both but most for casting to shore from boat.What about it Nor-Easter got some info for me (please).John I guess I am what you call a lazzy surf caster I like to go out in the boat and cast to shore less walking that way.

Your looking for skin plugs to do that.

Hi Smokey thats not what I had in mind but now that you have brought them up is there any company still making skin plugs.I am sure there are a lot of them in the colletion I have on the island I remember all kinds of chain and plug rigs for eels. What I realy would like to do is cast eels to the rocks and beaches.

My eel rig? a 6/0 Mustad (sharpened :smash: )

No need for anything beyond a strong leader, good knots and a sharp hook. Whereas you are working so tight against the shore, you don't need to do any fancy weighting or anything... unless the current is really moving, then you can use some split shot or a rubber core for weight...

Just cast & retrieve like a living plug...

John thats what I had in mind but had never used eels and was not sure about twisting of the line and such from the eel.I take it your more a boat fisherman that a shore man? Two mile walk!!!!!!

No - I'm a surfguy looking for a boat too. I still want to fish with my feet in the suds when it's best for that - the feeling just can't be beat.

70-80% of the non-schoolie fishing I do is with live eels. I think they are the easiest - best way to a big fish. run the hook thru the mouth and cast then reteive slow. Doesn't get any easier than that. There are certain things you can do to prevent your eel from bunching on you but you want iy to have life and act naturally (well as natural as having a hook in yer mouth can be)...

John is right about only needing a good sharp hook. The eel takes care of the rest, with stink and movement.
Back in the arcive there is a post on rigging eels also. Saltheart was the author. May be John or Saltheart can send it to you.

Thanks for the info John+Smokey do you use circle hooks or just good old J hooks. My rig is going to be a Penn 965 on a CMS custom rod 8' with say 25# mono??? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

GBOUTDOORS, What I have are some EEL swimming plates . there small single hook lead swimming lips , Excellent for a small rubber or live EEL.

Jhabs sounds like a good rig for trolling? Even dead eels would work. But I can't wait to cast some live eels at the rocks and holes I could not reach from the beach as a young angler.

Hey just turned the tv on and I am now getting sick watching some guy on espn2 catch bass off Mass. coast. I think a trip to Ct. and the winter over bass may be the only cure??????