Rudy was kind enough to come down and show us a great way to rig an eel. There are LOTS of ways to rig eels but this nice, straightforward video sheds some light and provides a nice starting point for anybody wondering just how to rig an eel. Thanks Rudy!


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Thanks a lot guys. Ive read about it a a few times but seeing it done is a lot better. How do you store the riggies and how long do they last?

We've currently been storing (and shipping for that matter) rigged eels in the Uncle Josh Brine (Like the Bad boys and bad boy jrs come in). You can also make your own brine. One of our regulars keeps them in a brine-filled tupperware container in his freezer. I've heard it's better to use Stainless Steel hooks if you'll be keeping the riggies in brine for awhile.

Nice job on the video. The use of wire ties are a good variation.

Freeze them in a baggie (i add no water or anything in the bag) , They will last a long long time and can be thawed and fished and refrozen. Usually a rigged eel is dead after its ripped apart by many big bass or one bluefish.

Freeze them in a baggie (i add no water or anything in the bag) , They will last a long long time and can be thawed and fished and refrozen. Usually a rigged eel is dead after its ripped apart by many big bass or one bluefish.

That is how I keep mine as well. Easier then brine. In the freezer at home and in a small cooler when I'm headed out fishing.

NICE WORK!!!
:claps: :claps: :claps:

once again the Boyz from The Edge,

keepin it reel,,,,,and keepin it fraiche!

ditto on the freeze and re-freeze and
the small cooler when taking riggies to the surf.
i add Kosher salt to the bag that they get froze in.

:rolleyes: Thanks that was great now I have an idea with the dead ones in the freezer. They stare at my wife everytime she opens it.

Where can I find the hooks?
I don't need a kit, just 8/0 Siwash hooks

hey, that was a great video....

but it reminded me of a creepy experience that scared the hell out of me... like 20 years ago... out in Cali
Funny but true Story

i was out workin in the fields and suddenly realized
that i had been working right next to a rattle snake
all morning that was coiled up, and i was barefoot....

outraged that i had almost been bitten for being so dammed unaware...i decided to eat him like a true cowboy might...lol

so i grabbed my shovel and cut of his head
(the business end)
then i peeled his skin off same as in the eel video
and gutted him completely ...so that all i had left
was pure white meat hanging straight down

well i had never heard this before...but it said that a snake doesn't die until the sun goes down...
yeah right :confused:

very suddenly that snake wrapped itself completely around my right arm as tight as a blood pressure cuff...
squeezing the hell out of me...:eek:

i let out a blood curdling yell as if i had just seen the DEVIL :devil2: himself and flung that sucker off of me with extreme prejudice... with my heart racing like a corvette... :shocked: so much for barbequed rattler !

:hihi:

reminds me of some of my favorite man vs. wild episodes

Excellent video.

The lock knot, any diagram on tying that?

Excellent video.

The lock knot, any diagram on tying that?

they show that knot in detail on the eel skin video

That's a good method. An old timer from NY showed me how to rig in the mid 80's and it was almost identical to Rudy's video. Only difference was dacron instead of wire ties to secure the rear hook. Good to see some traditions being handed down.

Very informative, thanks:)

Great presentation, thank you.

Chris you are good!! You made my non comprehendible self comprehendible :claps: . Thank you Chris for being so patient with me. For any one who doesn't know him he is one of the nicest guys around. Thanks again

Rob Rockcrawler- They will last a while but not bluefish proof. They are more durable if you put them in brine BUT this could hurt the action a little.

Pete F. - I believe the 8/0 siwash hooks are difficult to find but I would start with a google search. Some one should be able to answer your question.

Flaptail- I am sorry my fat fingers got in the way. As fumifish said Rob does a good job showing the knot in the how to rig an eel skin swimmer video.

One last note- The siwash hooks should be stainless steel ecspecially if they are being kept in brine.

-Rudy

Great Now every body knows...:spin:
Luckily there is no video's on Jersey rigged..:rude:
The're no good.:laughs:
I glue all my knots.I really don't think the smell bothers em one bit.
Coupla notes on the stainless hooks.
They can be PITA to keep sharpe.You can get a decent point on em with a steel file but they seem to dull out if your fishing em in rocky terrain.
They are more brittle.I have had to toss em after closing the eye.With close inspection I have detected actual cracking of the metal itself.I have found getting em closed up in one good shot is the best bet.I you have mess with it too much your asking for it.
That large pair of channel locks they have in the video is the best tool for the job.


I also believe they are heavier.No I have not weighed em out.It's just my belief.Depending on how/where this can work in your advantage or not..
If you keep em in a brine be sure to keep the hooks in the water.They won't rust as long as they can't get any air on em.I will take em out an throw em in a small coler with a few ice cubes prior to fishing The ice water is enough to limber em up some.
After a few casts an they will limber up just fine.Whether I rigg em with a squid/wobble plate or not I always try to fish with a fresh one out of the box.

I'd rather buy them from the guys who produced the video and I can never buy just one thing.


Pete F. - I believe the 8/0 siwash hooks are difficult to find but I would start with a google search. Some one should be able to answer your question.

Great video. Never thought of using the zip ties like that before. I usually use a 8/0 Mustad hook on the rear, so the eye of the hook isn't as big, so i just keep the hook in place by sewing bowstring through the eye and tight to the eels spine. I'll have to give that a try.

like the other cat said, I have been told "how to", but the video was awesome, very much appreciated, I am sure I will have time to rig many during the winter, just have to decide, brine or no brine, This site ROCKS

To make a brine, all you do is heat up some water and add salt into it until the salt stops disolving in the water.

Or.. if your into fun sciene projects, add salt until a small red potato will float ;)

i want to inject an EEL skin with spam....

and i'm not kidding... :jester:

Kosher Salt for the brine, only way to go.

So you boil water. Then do you turn off the heat and add Kosher salt to it dosnt dissolve. Or do you keep the heat on while you add the salt.

you can do it it cold water ,it just takes longer
the point of boiling is to dissolve it quicker...just don't dunk your eel in the hot water :eek5:...you got to let it cool

Haha thanks Zeno

So just boil the water, take it off the heat, and ad kosher salt till it wont dissolve.

Also has anyone tried the Tattoo Eel Skin Plugs?