I agree that 8 out of 10 times a fifty will come on "Livies"!

Just found this Thread! :o

My contribution to this Thread/ question, was just now written (silly enough) on P. # 4 of that "Why haven't you landed a 50 yet?" Thread! :walk:

I gave up the meds that might be the problem. Going clean and sober is tough.

You did? I saw a picture of you somewhere and you look leaner and healthier.

C&S: I had to awhile back but they keep giving more meds now.

Referring to surf fishing, ./// Are you sure chunked bait is the way to go? :D

For the most part, you lose some things while bait fishing.....2 things that go hand in hand, Distance + you'll definately be covering less water, not that you always need distance, but depending on where you're fishing, it could mean the difference between catching something or nothing at all, nevermind a 50. Not to mention, crabs won't normally pull your plug under a rock :vamp:, skates and dogfish prefer bait over plastics 2 to 1 according to the last census,..// etc// ...you can fan while baitfishing, but it won't last as long with the continuous casting, the eel being the exception - but you'll still lose distance with eels. How many casts can you make and how much water can you cover with a plug versus 1 cast and turtle retrieving an eel???

Think about it.

I still think BAIT, alive or fresh would be my answer.

Bait.

An eel casts as well as most metal lip swimmers, Gil. And I don't retrieve a swimmer much faster than I retrieve an eel.

A rigged eel will outcast most swimmers--but is that a bait or a lure? ;)

And I won't mention dogfish and their preference for bait over jigs :D

Actually making it out on the water when conditions are most favorable with one of my two favorite plugs.

With those two things coming together I'd have all the confidence in the world.

Mike, when speaking of eels,,,

>> ....

I hope you know what you started, that will be the Title to the next 4 new threads. :fishslap:,,,

Seriously though,, I don't consider eel fishing equal to bait-fishing. I do work chunked baits thru drifts...and I will also make occasional bounces with my chunks when bottom fishing, to rejuvenate the juices as well as move it away from a tugging crab or just to another spot,,, but eel fishing in an essence, is plugging ...with a "Living" plug. "Plugging" by definition, is to "keep at something" which to me means continuously casting and retrieving, that's what I do with eels, , thus plugging .
I have also chunked FAT river eels, but I consider that Bait Fishing, it's all in what you do with the eel that makes it a plug or a bait. :D Happy now??

In my analogy, I was comparing a 2 -3 oz. needle versus a bloody, fresh pogy chunk :drool:..............I should have been more specific.






but just like in my other post, I would still pick BAIT over PLUGS if there was money on the line

From a boat:
Live Bunker
Bunker spoons
Whole or the head of a Dead Bunker

From the shore:
Chunks
Eels
Mambo Minnow