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Specialist - bring both of the rods, those reels will work well too. No problem on using/learning eels as there will be numerous people at the tourney that can show what eel fishing is all about. It really is very simple provided you follow a few key steps:
Keep the eel from wrapping around yuor line because if it wraps around your hook or leader, you're all done. The best way to do that is to slow the eel down by leaving on a bed of ice (which must be continously drained or the eels will drown in their own slime) which slows the eel down significantly and the other option is to stun it by wacking the TAIL (not the head) on a rock or something sturdy a few times.
When casted, be sure to maintain light contact via the line to the eel all of the time. A very slow retrieve will do just that and keep the eel looking as natural as possible which is what you want to do.
Fish the eel very slowly - sometimes the hardest thing to do but the most important.
When a bass hits the eel - you'll feel it (usually a quick bump bump) immediately drop your rod tip towards the water (with a conventional you might give it a few seconds in freespool) start to reel in and once tight, set the hook (non circle hooks) - that happens over a very short period of time. If using circle hooks, drop the rod tip, pause a second and start reeling in and the hook (at least it's supposed to) will set itself...
Don is taking a few people to a couple semi-secret spots :P and it sounds like Korkers may be in order if you have a set... There are also a couple other locals down there that will be available too...
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