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fcap60 · 01-07-2007, 11:39 AM

It's winter, I'm home sick, my team is not in the playoffs-so I figured that I would ramble on about a few thoughts and see what others think.

I wanted to know what others really thing about fishing eels vs. plugs. Much has been written on the topic, but it's always interesting to see what others are thinking. I figured, if we keep the debate limited to a few areas (effectiveness, skill level, fun, catch and release, and cost) - we could better keep things in perspective. Here's my .02

1. Effectiveness:
There is no comparison. Typically, fisherman will catch bass of better quality (size) and qualtiy (numbers on eels). Of course, big fish will fall to plugs, but I'm willing to bet that if you fished eels and plugs equally throughout the season, there would be no comparison and eels would reign supreme at the end.

2. Skill Level
I give this one to the plug fisherman. In both cases you need to read the water, but to actually "fool" the fish, it takes more skill to do it with plugs than with eels. Generally, if you fish an eel in or near the strike zone, you'll likely have sucess. I think it takes a little more skill to hook up with plugs though.

3. Fun

Everything being equal, I give this category to the plug fisherman as well. By being equal, I mean, if you catch 100 bass on eels and 100 bass on plugs, the plug fishing is just more fun. Now, let's look at the facts. when the extreme heat of July and early August is around, my confidence level in plugs is WAY DOWN. So, I guess everything is not equal in the reel world. If fact, you may go several nights with no fish or a few rats with plugs when you could be hooking up with LARGE on those same nights if you were using live eels. So, to sum this up,
catching (especially LARGE) is more fun than not catching, so on one hand eels are more fun. On the other hand, if you were catching near equally, plugs are more fun. NOW I'M REALLY CONFUSED.

4. Catch and Release

This is tough, and I give this category to the plugs even though many may think there are ways to catch bass without letting them take the hook deep. There may be, but over time, I think plugs are better for catch and release.

5. Cost

I actually belive that eels are more affordable than plugs. You'll need to do the math and decide for yourself.

Feel free to add your thoughts. After all, it's winter....according to the calendar.

01-07-2007, 11:39 AM	#1
fcap60 Frank Capone Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hamden, Connecticut Posts: 2,229	Dare to Compare: Eels v. Plugs It's winter, I'm home sick, my team is not in the playoffs-so I figured that I would ramble on about a few thoughts and see what others think. I wanted to know what others really thing about fishing eels vs. plugs. Much has been written on the topic, but it's always interesting to see what others are thinking. I figured, if we keep the debate limited to a few areas (effectiveness, skill level, fun, catch and release, and cost) - we could better keep things in perspective. Here's my .02 1. Effectiveness: There is no comparison. Typically, fisherman will catch bass of better quality (size) and qualtiy (numbers on eels). Of course, big fish will fall to plugs, but I'm willing to bet that if you fished eels and plugs equally throughout the season, there would be no comparison and eels would reign supreme at the end. 2. Skill Level I give this one to the plug fisherman. In both cases you need to read the water, but to actually "fool" the fish, it takes more skill to do it with plugs than with eels. Generally, if you fish an eel in or near the strike zone, you'll likely have sucess. I think it takes a little more skill to hook up with plugs though. 3. *Fun* Everything being equal, I give this category to the plug fisherman as well. By being equal, I mean, if you catch 100 bass on eels and 100 bass on plugs, the plug fishing is just more fun. Now, let's look at the facts. when the extreme heat of July and early August is around, my confidence level in plugs is WAY DOWN. So, I guess everything is not equal in the reel world. If fact, you may go several nights with no fish or a few rats with plugs when you could be hooking up with LARGE on those same nights if you were using live eels. So, to sum this up, catching (especially LARGE) is more fun than not catching, so on one hand eels are more fun. On the other hand, if you were catching near equally, plugs are more fun. NOW I'M REALLY CONFUSED. 4. *Catch and Release* This is tough, and I give this category to the plugs even though many may think there are ways to catch bass without letting them take the hook deep. There may be, but over time, I think plugs are better for catch and release. *5. Cost* I actually belive that eels are more affordable than plugs. You'll need to do the math and decide for yourself. Feel free to add your thoughts. After all, it's winter....according to the calendar.