"Ribbon" Eels

[Patrick]

Ok, I tried regular eels without any luck. I assumed that eels were just for big fish but then I heard someone caught a 30 inch fish. Then I heard someone else talking about "ribbon eels". Are Ribbon eels another breed of eels? Or are they just anorexic eels? The guy said they are about as thin as pencils. Anyone know what I should ask for when looking for these eels?
Thanks
Patrick

[Mike P]

You should ask for the name of another tackle shop when they try to stick you with those things. I call them shoestrings and if that's all the shop has, I go somewhere else.

Although, seeing as how you love those 1/0 hooks, maybe shoestrings are right up your alley anyway <img src="/Images/Wink.gif"><!--e3-->

[Patrick]

I actually want those eels. My area isn't known for huge bass but lately there have been some decent bass in the 40 inch range being caught. I have tried eels two times. I had no luck with the normal eels. I figured I would try the shoe-string eels. I might have more luck. I don't know. I figure if I don't have luck this time, I will give eels 9 more trys in the area I currently fish. I gotta be fair. Anyways, I don't use the 1/0 anymore. I have some 6/0 Mustad hooks. They look pretty fancy. I guess I'll slip an egg sinker and a swivel on there and try my luck.

Oh by the way, the reason I keep trying eels is because of the #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&. Bill, I must tell you that every time I read that story on the site, it sends adrenaline through me. You are the inspiration behind my eel trials. WTG on that beauty.

[JohnR]

Welcome Patrick, long time no see... Yeh, those are commonly refered as shoelaces. When you say "ribbon eels", kinda paints a picture of a tapeworm or something <img src="/Images/Tounge_Wink_Face.gif"><!--e5-->...

Stick with the larger eels whenever you can. You don't need monster eels but nice eels 14" long with a little bit of girth to them. As far as for big fish? I've had 20" schoolies take a 12" eel. They have little fear.

No big fish in your area, eh?? Nothing down Pennefield Reef? I know some boat guys that have been doing well there with eels and not that far out. I can't imagine that there are no nicer bass along that reef, inside or outside. Or that other one slightly south west. Patrick, what's the name of the reef sw of there?

I've fished down there a few times from shore and from boat (have family down there) and while not consistantly, I have pulled fish out of there into the high teens (weight)... Stratford B&T has usually had nice eels down there as well as that Fisherman's World in West something to the south (blue building, can't remember the town)

Well, it may serve you well to rethink about using the shoelace eels... Good luck

[eelman]

Why would you want those little earthworms?? You are much better off with the large eels,as john said, small fish will hit some big eels.

If the fish over your way are 40inches then, you should stay with the big snakes, a fish that size can inhale those things whole!!!!!!!

[Patrick]

Ok, I'll get some larger eels and some smaller ones. I'm sure there are a lot of bigger fish at Penfield Reef. I tried the Reef. I wasn't too fond of it. This was a little early in the season. Another thing I don't like is the walk to the reef. It isn't the walking, it is the people I run into because I have to walk along the beach.
Some of the lines I hear come from these guys a little younger then me with an arm around a girl. I guess they are trying to be funny to impress them.
"Going fishing?" I hear that a lot. This just annoys me because OBVIOUSLY I am going fishing. No, I'm going pole-vaulting.
"You have a big rod! &lt;chuckle&gt;" and then the girl giggles. Usually I say, "The fishing pole isn't too bad either." then I wink at the girl. This usually gets a pretty bad reaction from the guy.

I've never been to Stratford B&T. John Posh is somehow related to one of my friends. Everyone says he is good with reels and has some good cigars. If they don't make a conversion for the Penn 6500 bail, I will bring it to him.
I usually stick to Ted's B&T down in Bridgeport. The proprietor, Kevin is a good guy with a great sense of humor and all the people in his shop are more than nice. He gets 95% of my business. There are two downsides to his shop. That is why I was so upset when people said he isn't a good B&T shop on other boards.
I have been to Rick Mola's shop. That is Fisherman's World. I liked it but it is way out of my way. Also, since I've only been there a few times, the guys aren't friendly towards me yet.
I'll try my luck tonight. I'm not sure of the tides yet. My mom steals the paper first thing in the morning so I don't see it until later.
Hey, you guys rig eels with egg sinkers right? How far up do you put the egg sinkers? and what oz weight? I'm not fishing heavy current or anything. I am just looking to get eels down deep and away from the birds.

[John M]

Hi Patrick you been prety scarce lately........

Anyhow no eeg sinker needed. I seldom if ever use a sinker, eel fishing is interactive, toss it out reel it in.....fish at night too, the birds are nto an issue. Surely there must be a tide chart on the net for where you fish or get one at the local B&T theyr are usually free.....good luck

[Got Stripers]

I like to drag the bigger eels behind the boat, while I'm working my plastic jerkbaits up forward. I use a Great White with 55# thrust to get me around the rocks & ledges I fish and keep just enough forward progress to keep the eels off the bottom. I don't use any sinker, just a Diachi circle hook, 30# Trilene Big Game mono leader, barrel swivel, then my 30# spiderwire main line. Rod is a 7 foot custom Lamiglass with an Ambassadour 6500 in free spool with the clicker on. Love the sound the clicker makes when a big one runs off with the eel<img src="/Images/Wink.gif"><!--e3-->, had a couple do that last Saturday, hopefully tomorrow will be a repeat. Can't say I'm liking the wave height I see on www.marineweather.com ,looks like there are still 3-4 footers out there. Get's wet in my little 17 foot V-Hull. Oh well, a little salt water shower is a small price to pay, tight lines.

[Patrick]

Yup. I've been scarce. Some places charge for Tide Charts, others don't. It all depends on the owner and how he runs his shop. Ok, no sinker then.

Got Stripers, I don't have a functional boat. I had a 17 footer that I sold. Right now I have 12 foot skiff that I made. It needs a little more sanding and chiseling and a nice coat of primer and paint and she is being sold too. I don't know a price yet. It has about 800 bucks worth of material in it and I put a few months work into it.(2 hours a day, weekdays only). The thing is, I paid 100 bucks for it. Thank God for School Budgets huh? I'll re-sell it for high profit. Surf fishing is now my thing. Sure you can catch more and bigger fish from a boat but people who catch bruisers from the surf always seem to have a bigger smile on their face. I have nothing against boats, just not my thing. But thanks for the advice.

Well, I'm going fishing. I'll put some pictures of my un-finished boat on soon.
Seeya.