Sand Eels - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

ProfessorM · 08-03-2005, 11:11 AM

Anyone interested in raking sand eels tomorrow? I will be leaving the dock at 5:00 Am sharp on Cape. I got all the equipment you need. Can only take 1 person because I am using my tin boat. Been good last few times. You can leave after we rake or fish for a while. Light tackle. I will check the site tonite after I get home from work around 10PM, could be earlier tonite. Leave me a PM and your phone number and I will try to call before 11PM. Paul

08-03-2005, 12:03 PM

we would you find them?????

ProfessorM · 08-03-2005, 12:55 PM

Where you mean? In the ocean. Man I hated when people would tell me that. I would not post that here. Pm me and I will give you a hint as long as you keep it to yourself. Paul

Sweetwater · 08-03-2005, 05:05 PM

Fresh sand eels are essential. I've fished side-by-side with guys with 24-hour old sand eels, and I had fresh (3-4 hours old), and I'll be hooked up all day and they get squat.

Given that, does anyone use any special techniques for keeping sand eels "fresh" for a longer time? I know some things are important such as rinsing the eels thoroughly in salt water to get any "guts" washed away (from the holes created by the rake tines), then getting them very dry before going into the bait box. But is there any way to "treat" the bait that keeps them fresh?

08-04-2005, 08:05 AM

Keeping eels alive are easy evin i know how to keep them alive easey

3 bucket system-take three big buckets all the same size and put small holes in two of them.put the eels in one of the bucket that has holes and if you want put sea weed in it and take take ice and put it in the other one with holes...then put the one with no holes upwards like normal and put the bucket of eels in the normal bucket and put the the bucket with ice on top of the eels...the ice will drip on the eels and dont be afraid of squishing the eels because if you get same size bucket it will make a big pocket...afther some of the ice melts take it apart and drain the bottom bucket and put it back to gather...make sure you put ice on it and keep on draining it... if you dont what the responsibility to drain it drill a hole as big as a circle when you put you thumb and finger togather on the connor of the bucket so the water will drain...

jsullivan · 08-04-2005, 08:53 AM

wrong eels bud

capecodder · 08-04-2005, 08:58 AM

Keeping them dry and cold seems to be the best method for me, but it still only works for so long. I put a small piece of dry sponge in the bag with them after patting them dry with paper towel. Sponge then absorbs some of the moisture. Also, try not to crush them. I lay the bags flat side by side in the fridge so as not to put pressure on them.

Still only good for a couple of days. Fresh is best, always outfish the older ones.

Sweetwater · 08-04-2005, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by striperboy3754

Keeping eels alive are easy evin i know how to keep them alive easey

3 bucket system-take three big buckets all the same size and put small holes in two of them.put the eels in one of the bucket that has holes and if you want put sea weed in it and take take ice and put it in the other one with holes...then put the one with no holes upwards like normal and put the bucket of eels in the normal bucket and put the the bucket with ice on top of the eels...the ice will drip on the eels and dont be afraid of squishing the eels because if you get same size bucket it will make a big pocket...afther some of the ice melts take it apart and drain the bottom bucket and put it back to gather...make sure you put ice on it and keep on draining it... if you dont what the responsibility to drain it drill a hole as big as a circle when you put you thumb and finger togather on the connor of the bucket so the water will drain...

Yer thinking live eels (american eels). I was looking for creative ways to keep sand eels fresh.

Flaptail · 08-04-2005, 09:56 AM

Keeping sand eels fresh is a process that starts from the beginning meaning as you rake them. They should be raked and then shaken off into a fish tote that has a few inches of water in it. As more and more get into the tote the water will become bloody. Tochange the water have a mesh laundry bag handy with you and put all the sand eels raked so far into the mesh bag. Tie off the bag over the side or to your wader belt if wading and raking. Dump the bloody water and refill the tote with clean water. If you are in a boat you should have ( if your raking for money) a cooler with crushed ice or snow from an ice rink. You should also have some large zip lock bags. Take the rinsed sandeels and put them into the zip lock bag. Zip closed and lay the bag on the ice or snow not in it. Keep the drain plug open on the cooler to prevent water buildup in the cooler. Some guys put an old towel over the ice/snow and then put on the bags of sand eels. Lee at Riverview in Bass River had/has the freshest dand eels around using this process. He is meticulous in the care of the bait. To check if the sand eels you are buying are fresh pinch one between your fingers. If it is hard to snap in half they are fresh if it just mushes between your digits don't buy 'em. If the bag of bait has excessive water and blood in it they weren't handled properly.

08-04-2005, 12:32 PM

this is a stupid question...whats the diff

Sweetwater · 08-04-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by striperboy3754

this is a stupid question...whats the diff

"Live" Eels, or American eels, (Anguilla rostrata) is a true eel. It lives in fresh water and spawns in the ocean. Some people call them black eels. They are fished live or rigged, and are generally 12-16 inches for fishing, but some can get to be 4-5 feet long.

"Sand Eels" (or Sand Launces or Lances) is not an eel at all but a fish and is part of the (Ammodytidae) family. They are fished fresh (but dead) and are about 6 to 7 inches long.

Here are some pics:

08-04-2005, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetwater

They are fished fresh (but dead) :

why dead do you cut them or something because this is the first i ever heard about this

Sweetwater · 08-04-2005, 03:28 PM

Sand eels are fished "dead" because you can't keep them alive. They are typically raked out of the sand using an "eel rake" that has sharp tines that puncture their bodies. However, it is key to keep them as fresh as possible for use as bait.

Mike P · 08-04-2005, 07:55 PM

Look at it this way----what kind of a hook could you use to "live line" a sand eel?

Anything small enough that it wouldn't kill the bait would get straightened in a heartbeat by a bass.

ProfessorM · 08-04-2005, 08:41 PM

Flap's got it down perfect. I ice them, ice rink snow, within 15 min. of raking them. To me that is the key right on ice immediately, esp. if you are sellin them. I have gotten home hours later and some are still kick'in. Kept on ice and dry I have had them last 4 or 5 days. You want to keep somewhat dry too, not a lot of fluids in the bags. I also freeze them with a vacum sealer and they are good for months. Freeze asap not a few days later they need to be fresh raked and dry to freeze. The only problem is they loose a little color, but fluke luv em.

fishdog13 · 08-06-2005, 10:49 AM

all i can say is they are not needed. limit accomplished tue,.wed,and thur