I didn't single anyone out and was just voicing my opinion. I don't remember if Dj pointed out who made up the rigged eel that was shown, but from my perspective it was not rigged in a way that took into consideration what effect it would have if the fish breaks off. It is of my opinion that using the zip ties (another environmentally sound practice) and stainless steel hooks is just for the benefit of a fisherman who can't invest a little time to rig an eel in a more fish friendly manner.
Perhaps after you have fished as long as I have you will be less sensitive to general criticism of methods and more open to other ideas. I don't claim to be a great fisherman and think you have let my words carry more weight than they should, remember I am basically no one of any fame. I'm just a guy who fishes and voices my opinion. Hopefully one day we will fish the same stretch of beach and you can laugh at my techniques. I do what I do for me, not anyone else and don't seek anyones approval of my methods. Loose a few more fish to boulders or being spooled and perhaps you too will go a little heavier. 80# isn't what I use for tuna either, maybe yellow fin or school fish but not when I fish for giants it's 130# the most the IGFA will allow for the species I'm after. I'm not in it for the sport, I've done the ultra light line class sport thing and I have already covered how I feel about it. But alas I will agree with you that I am doing it all wrong, I'm ok with being wrong I do it all the time. Perhaps when you are giving seminars on how to fish I will attend yours to see what I can learn. I'm always learning something new and believe everyone has the potential to teach me, I will listen and perhaps try to add in a positive manner. I didn't disrupt the class did I, I tried to add. Remember I'm the screwball that asked if anyone fishes live lobsters right before class to see if someone could give me tips on how to rig them because I don't just fish from the beach, which if I did want to fish them from the beach i would find a way to get them out there. (That ought to eliminate any credibility I have...live lobsters
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Back on topic. Do you feel fishing stainless hooks and lighter line is more right than what I do or just another method?
Try the Canal mid tide with light gear and tell me what I use is so wrong, I'll be right there to console you when you get spooled or drown a 50+ pounder for what? The sport of it.
And I'm not picking a fight. We are having a adult discussion where one of us has an open mind and the other prefers to limit themselves to what they know and believe is the only way to fish for stripers. None of what I have stated should have any negative impact upon anyone. Maybe the guy who rigged the eels could take offense, but that is being too thin skinned in my opinion. If anything I am helping Dj by bumping this thread back to the top so others may read what is being discussed.
I do remember something about the rigged eels having the potential of hanging up on the bottom because of the hooks, hey here's an idea try rigging them with the hooks up using a hook with a weighted shank....opps thats right I'm not smart enough to know what I am saying or doing so disregard my suggestion. Come to think of it that might not be possible unless they make a stainless steel hook with a weighted shank, and it would take way too much effort to have to re-rig an eel do to the hooks deteriorating over time. Can't find a hook stout enough that has a weighted shank here's a tip try Radio shack, but you probably already know that trick. Hogy might be of interest also.
Ask Dj, whom I can tell has a vast library of books on striper fishing to look at page 103 in the book "Fishing for Striped Bass" by Gary Caputi, bet that rigged eel can be fished bumping the bottom without the hooks hanging up.
I'm heading to the Ditch tomorrow night and Dj has my email, email me and I'll let you know where I'm fishing so you can get a good laugh at my feeble attempt to catch striped bass on Tuna gear. I would be honored to watch you fish and learn how to do it the right way.
If I truly believed I was a great fisherman would I have spent the money to learn more at Bass class? Don't let my words carry so much weight in the future, I'm just a nobody that has an opinion and the inability to keep it to myself.