I found its much easier to buy eels at the shop then potting. Its not only a bigger chore but more costly, unless you have a system and spots down packed and I think most of us don't. When you consider $ in gas/time/hassel maintaining bait, buying a dozen at the shop is well worth it unless your getting selective for skins.
If in the case they put tuffer restrictions on the sale of eels at B&T shops I'll devote more time into catching bait. I think cape guys would rather throw plugs if this where to happen..... where the rocky shore anglers prefre slingin eels especially in the warmer months. Although the amount of plugs I throw isn't much I know that done right, fishin nights with eels will consistanly catch bigger fish most of the time.
I would definantly chunk more. Every year I do less. With eels you cover so much more water. Also I think not every spot are ideal for chunkin. I throw chunk much like I do eels, wading or wetsuiting in heavy surf, having a zip lock with chunks in a plug bag. I'm a bigger beleiver in bait, I think I'd think differently if I fished the beachs and other places,,,maybe
If your targeting qaulity then do what you got to do.