I was out getting eels yesterday. At the bait store two guys were there to pick some up as well. When I went outside to leave, one of the guys came out and asked me how to fish the eels. After explaining the rigging and how to fish them, he tells me that they are going to fish the mouth of the north river. He also said his other buddy told them to get eels. He then tells me that this other pal, the one that told them to get eels, took a 53 or 54 lb from the mouth of the North river on Wednesday, or thursday night. Thats encouraging. I fished with Redcrabber last night and just got in. We had snapper blues for about 4-5 hrs straight. I lost 2 big fish, one in the wash, and one further out spit the hook. Red hit a grand slam, blue, striper, scup, and fluke. I sleepy now, me go to bed, thanks Red!!!!

If someone hooked a 50 plus lb. striper in the mouth of the river I'm surprised it isn't all over the place:confused: I believe they are there, heard of some 40s in Cohasset. The cows can't resist a nice eel at night:p

How do you rig your eels?
I have been going through the eyes.

They sure resisted my eels last night!!!:af: :af: :af:

I like to rig them with a circle eel hook going from under the mouth up through one nostril. I haven't lost any eels this way and they are able to swim this way. I like to drift my eels and let them swim I don't cast and retrieve. I also like to use a Shimano Baitrunner reel, this reel works great for eels. ;)

Kayaman:

I drifted eels last night using a 1 oz. about 2 feet from the hook to get them down near the bottom. i was from 25-45 ft of water.
I did lose one for no reason while drifting. I'll try that hooking technique,, Thanks..

I also use baitrunners (6500's) for all my bass fishing chunking and live. (love em').

Van I went out with someone who fishes eels on the boat all the time. 4oz bank on a fish finder, 30" leader, 5/0 Gamakatsu octopus hook, not a circle. He never uses circles anymore. He says that the hook up ratio is not as good for him, also contrary to popular opinion circles can guthook fish, he has seen it first hand. By the way he fishes every day, as a charter captain, and commercially, he knows his stuff. Hook under chin and out through one eye. Drop eels to the bottom, reel up 3-4 turns, and drift the boat over productive grounds. Keep the rod tip at about 10 oclock. When you feel a tap-tap, drop your tip into the water, count to 5, set the hook. It takes awhile to get the hang of it. You sometime feel alot of "ghost hits".

I was using my baitrunner reels, so I would just
wait for the spool to "sing" then set, but I didn't get any hits at
all last night.:(
To date I have not caught a bass with an eel. but I dont use them all the time either..
I have not given up on it, so I will try that method too.
Thanks,
V