Question for Eelman, aka Eeltime
 

Bill what is your all time favorite Eeling hook? What is you favorite size, and why? When would you recommend using rubbercores? What is your favorite line, reel, and rod for eeling? Inquiring minds want to know..... :read: :hee:

Mustad-94150 6/0 live bait hook ( I like the short shank and they are super strong, use a file and they are as sharp as any gama's. Plus they are inexpensive. I hook my eels in the mouth and out thru the bottom the short shank is perfect for that.

Rubber core sinkers in a current.

20 lb test big game clear

50lb test big game leader, no swivels just tied direct to the main line with a bloodknot ( I dont worry about line twist because I use only conventional gear.

Reels, abu 7000 in breachways, calcutta 400 for all the other places also penn 965 once in a while

My favorite rods are , in breachways or heavy currents, jigging Sabre 1089 blank for all other spots beaches etc... Sabre 1088 or 1087 both rods well, all my rods are 9 footers and all custom, no store baught. Love the sabre blanks, nothing but good things to say about them

Note :last night:someplace in narragansett I had my first "decent fish" of the season..5 bass between 15 and 20lbs on...you guessed it eels! Its time!
I will be back tonight! :jump:

When is the best time to use eels? Which stages of tide, time of the year? Does color matter? Do they have to be alive? Can I fish them dead? Do they only work at night? How do I keep them from knotting up? Where can I buy them cheaper than 1.50 each? Can I freeze the dead ones and skin them? What should I use if I can't get them if a moratorium is placecd on them? Inquiring minds also want to know :think:

Dave I can try to answer a few of those. The cheapest place I have found them is Tom's in Middleboro. If you have a commercial license you can buy them by the pound. Years past it was a dozen for 10 bucks. Who knows this year. As far as knotting up get them in the water as soon as you stick them and and if they are cold, iced down, they are not as lively till they hit the water. I don't belive in smashing them up against a rock to cripple them. I want them as lively as possible. If you fish them on the bottom with weight, something I do not do, you can try hooking them in the tail. Definitely fish them during daylight hours. I troll them in my tin boat under the sun and do very well. A lot has to do with where you are fishing though. As far as dead goes they are killer that way too. Had a bluefish rip one to shreads when I reeled it back in rear half hanging on by a thread next cast 49 lbs., from shore too. I luv eels. Paul

how do i keep an eel from ripping itself off the hook? can u draw a picture to show where u hook a eel?

How do you stop fish at Watch Hill from wrapping you around the rocks? Enquiring minds want to know...

I think Mac was beeing a little tounge in cheek in his questions :hee:

Notaro, if you are ripping the hooks out, hook a little deeper if going down the throat and don't try to snap the rod so fast, use a smoother longer throw. This is even more important when you have a very stiff fishing rod....

3 other things you can try.

Hook them from the bottom of the jaw up thru an eye socket.

Use a rod with a softer tip

Use mono instead of braid. You don't exactly need sensitivity to tell when a bass is taking your eel ;)

okay, thanks, mike. what abt the "gullet"? also what is it?

I kind of thought Dave was pulling our leg. :rolleyes: Was hesitant to answer but thought what the hell. Paul

lob an eel/chunk/worms's/sandeel's


cast a plug

Mac must have been fed lastnite.

the throat. I guess another trick you can try making "fasteners" out of plastic strips, like milk cartons, etc... Just clip off a strip long and wide enough and stick one half of the bottom on the hook, then put the eel on then close it off by sticking on the top half on the hook. It's a trick I learned live bait fishing for largemouths. It's a good remedy for eels flying off the hook, but not if they're being ripped off, like others have said cast softer and they won't rip off. Here's a drawing of the fastener thing...

My 2 cents for what it's worth.

Eels are my primary bait when fishing form the surf at night (though I plan to try plugs more and have a couple "Afterhours" plugs to try this year).

I drop the eels in the sand before I attempt to hook him. This slows him down and makes him easier to grip. Definately get into the water ASAP after hooking to minimize the chances of a ball. I hook from the bottom and out through an eye socket as Mike P. suggests.

Last but not least, there is nothing like Mako Joe's custom eels bucket to keep the eels cool, not drown them, keep the slime out of the truck, and keep them alive several days in a row.

Ditto john, that why I did not answer, those were tounge and cheek for sure.

Anyway, I have always broke the eels back about a third of the way up from the tail, they will never curl into a ball if you do this and they will still swim fine and be plebty frisky, after a few casts and the initial shock of being slammed into a rock they wake up and work fine, I have caught hundreds of bass on eels and then some, breaking there back in that spot has always worked for me, if no rock is near by then I use the side of my eel bucket.I keep my eels in a small shiner pail with holes drilled in the bottom and every so often dunk it in the surf to liven the snakes up, I have tried eel bags and hate them, they always seem to slime up so bad that I cant even grab one. Anyway I attach this small pail to my wader belt after having cut slits in it to accept the belt, works great. I also always carry a couple of rags with me to grad the eels.

As for hooking, I go in the mouth and out the bottom and the hook seems to act like a "keel". I would never hook them in the chin and out the eye sockett, I know many do this but not me, I want the eel to see whats coming! I can always tell when I am about to get a strike, that eel lets you know. I dont "lob" eels but I do cast a little more gingerly than if I had a plug on, distance at night does not mater, most hits are at your feet right in the wash. Anyway good luck with your eeling, there is some skill to it, most dont think so but I do.

Don't know if anyone has tried this but last year I started putting my eels in ziplock bags,one per bag. I pop a couple air holes with a hook and put them in my pocket. When I need to hook an eel, I just stick the hook through the bag and into the eel, then grab the hoook and rip the eel out of the bag all hooked and ready to fish. I find it easier to handle the eels that way, especially in rough surf. Also, I don't have to have a bucket or bag hanging from my belt.

guys just use plugs its a lot easyer

Wouldn't the hook be down?

Yep.... and swimming nicely without that lobotomy...

thanks, john. gotcha.

eels are a NIGHT TIME experience... have used them in the daytime, but night is the best time..... I agree with the "lively as possible" statement... can't undertand why you would want to smash it... swimming is best. you will have NO problem telling when a bass is at the eel.... just remember to wait after the initial pull for a short lull... when the next pull happens set the hook... the bass will take the eel and make a short run with it... stop... turn it then try another run. :btu:

I agree nite time is best but don't overlook days either. I am talking from a boat though during the day time. Location is important. There are certain areas that will produce during the day. P.M.

I tried it but it is hard to hook them in the bag. They squirm too much especially when they are warm. I swim with them out to a rock so they are always warm. Even cold they are nuisance to hook.

don't be an ass ww... Come on....

You will soon understand you confused Jedi

Just went to Tom's in Middleboro. They are getting $11.75 per doz .or $1.25 per eel. They also offer eels by the pound if you hold a commercial license. The worker bee there did not know the price by the pound. I am sure it is less than $1.00 a piece though. I will try to find out. Paul