What is a best/preferred diameter of a eelskin groove/diameter of body?

Since there's more of the medium/small eels these days I'm thinking ~5/8" groove and 3/4" or so body.

Does this seem right to you guys who fish skins?

Scott, I've used as big as the large Dannys and the P-40s with great results. the Atom Jr is a great size for most people to use. About 1 in or so.The groove doesn't need to be very deep just wide enough for a wire tie and room to cut it when done.Sometimes the biggest problem is gettin the skin off to replace it with a new one.No room to cut it loose. I use skins a lot. Work great.Blues don't tear them up as much as an eel.

I got a eelskin plug already not looking to re-invent that.

Don't want to stretch. This is a little thing. Loose over the head. and tied on. Easy to slip off no stretch... I don't fish these is why I'm asking.

5/8 groove and 3/4 outside?

Scott I groove the plugs with a 1/8" deviation, like your example. I use a 1/8" parting tool. Gives plenty area to tie the skin and cut it off. This size groove allows ample area to tie w/o bunching up the skin. Dental floss, rigging floss or used braided line works well.

Let me rephrase the question. Not asking about a plug here.



What size diameter is most appropriate for slipping inside a skinned eel without stretching it.

Do you see more eels that are 1" thick? 3/4" thick?

I have to fabricate something that fits inside a standard eel.

If you went to a shop today and bought a dozen eels just to skin what size is most rounded to slip inside these eels without making them stretch

1" is a big eel

For the heck of it I checked some of the skins I have in the fridge. Most are between 5/8 an 3/4 so your pretty good on that size. I have some big ones but I really had to cull to get them. they're a bit over 1 in.Only have a couple that are 1/2 in. I measured 26 skins so that might help for your figuring.I used a dowel sizer to check their size. Ron

I really likethe idea of a smaller eelskin plug. 5/8 should be great.

Ahh but grasshopper as I said earlier it's not a plug :hee:

RON you the man! I figured a bunch of eel people would jump in on this but tnx for measuring! I'll send you one when they're done :fishin:

Paul I'm not sure a real small plug would give good swimming action with a big skin hanging off the back.

I really likethe idea of a smaller eelskin plug. 5/8 should be great.

////5/8 max on body dia////9/16ths is even better....I put skins on sticks,no lips,one hook...it swims the nuts just fine.

TU GN

U may want to stock up on your heart meds :)
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You know in your tinkering with the tins Scott I saw a real sweet idea in someones plug bag last week. One of your tins with a ring brazed around it turned into an eel skin metal. Wobbles like a pregnant pig.Cast pretty good too with an eel skin on it. Ron

Hahahahahahahahahahahaaaaa

You know in your tinkering with the tins Scott I saw a real sweet idea in someones plug bag last week. One of your tins with a ring brazed around it turned into an eel skin metal. Wobbles like a pregnant pig.Cast pretty good too with an eel skin on it. Ron
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What you got a private Internet camera in my head? There was an old one same tin as a Pasquale in zenos dohicky this week :)
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Gottcha. 5/8-3/4 skins. Needles, minnow swimmers, stubbys. I like that metal combo!!

wobbleheads...3/4" brass water pipe for rings...good stuff.chuck pipe in lathe..1/8" half round cutter...slice to with on band saw.bob's your uncle.

Way ahead of you old man. Poured in one shot. Ring made of tin

wobbleheads...3/4" brass water pipe for rings...good stuff.chuck pipe in lathe..1/8" half round cutter...slice to with on band saw.bob's your uncle.
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This far ahead of you Steve :hee:

http://www.saltys.co/images/eelskinjig.jpg



wobbleheads...3/4" brass water pipe for rings...good stuff.chuck pipe in lathe..1/8" half round cutter...slice to with on band saw.bob's your uncle.

Paul I'm not sure a real small plug would give good swimming action with a big skin hanging off the back.

Scotty, I made some needles about 5/8 in dia and put skins on them years ago. They worked great. Looked like a giant eel.

I understand Paul I was talking about a metal lip. For something around 5/8" would be like my Crazybugger/lefty1 lip which is pretty small and not sure how a skin would swim with something that small. Something I could try for sure. I made a micro crazybugger last year on the cnc, just never finished the jigs and fixtures. I've had a few people bugging me about eelskin needles in the last few years.

I'm more interested in the tin though. This is on a original Pasquale tin blank that I haven't molded yet either...I test fit the rings on some larger ones and they fit nicely too...

I willing to field trial.:rotf2:

That's so funny. this guy is new to the game and had an idea after hearing me tell him about the eel skins. 2 nights of fishing them with me an he's hooked. went home and did some tinkering and well he made one up. Not quite as good looking as those but it works. Ron

So the molds came back today for these and will do some casting in the morning....This looks like it will work sweet!

First 5 guys to send me an email scott@#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&.com with your address I will mail you one if you promise to rig it up and fish it within a week of receiving it then tell me how it works

2 spoken for

One more

Anyone get these yet?

didnt check the mail today.

not yet.

yes.
review coming by email.

Got it in the mail today. Will try and fish it this weekend. I have a few eels that are alive, one might have to be sacrificed for it. Thanks a lot. Like the sticker on the back of the package, nice touch.

Great! Any pictures you guys can send of them rigged would be awesome. Everyone has their own way of doing it.

2 reviews back so far and very positive! Tnx all!

Got mine yesterday. I'll fish it this weekend and email you Monday.

Here's a blurry rigged shot of one

http://www.saltys.co/images/eelsquidrigged.jpg