Eel skin plug question

[steelhead]

I'm going to try using eel skins on a few plugs. I have a couple dannys set up for it that will swim on top. Any other plugs. Or thoughts on sun surface swiimers, etc.?

[Flaptail]

The best plugs to use for eelskins (IMHO) are one that will swim below the surface. Say from just at at a slow retrieve to 3-4 feet down with a little emphasis on the retrieve at a faster clip. The best eelskin plugs I ever used were the Plug Builders supply Swimmers ( they look like longer thinner versions of an Atom) with the tying groove already turned in on the plug and the old ( Bob Pond era) Junior Atoms and especially the smaller "Spin-Atom" swimmer that was around five inches long by 3/4 on an inch wide. If you can find some older ones take the hooks ( single belly and tail) off. Soak the belly swivel with WD-40 and then work it back into free motion. Take a triangular file and a 1/4 of an inch back from the swim plate file a groove around the head. Get a skin from an eel around 12-14 inches long. On the tail get a Bead Chain swivel around 2 inches long attach it to the tail loop on the plug with a split ring and on the tag end put another split ring with a 6/0 O'Shaughnessy Stainless Steel hook. Slip the skin over it so you have at least two inches of tail past the bend in the 6/0 hook. The tie off with 18 pound squidding line. Trim edges by tie off and slit the skin at the belly treble and use an open eye 2/0 treble. Don't use a split ring there it is just enough to ruin the action. Properly rigged this skin plug is a killer in the fall off of the beach. Rig one blue side out and one black side out. Retrieve slowly letting it sit as the waves receed.

[steelhead]

I've got a few long skinny swimmers that may work. Thanks for the suggestions on the older ones that will do the trick. Now I have to locate the bead chain swivels...

[Flaptail]

Salty came out with a eelskin swimmer too. I have a couple ready for the fall they swim great and should work just fine. They are close to the Atom Junior in size.

[UserRemoved1]

Steelhead I still have your email on my list of things to do. I will accidentally drop a eelskin plug in there for you My 1.5 eelskin plug has alot of action to it. Play with it and see.

[Diamond Tackle]

Boogers Eel skin plug DOES swim very nice. I will put it to the Montauk test real soon.I use the small zip ties to secure the skin to the plug (INSIDE OUT skin is my preference).
Eel skin plugs are absolutely deadly, its too bad more guys are not willing to do the little rigging work,it only takes like 3 minutes, and it really pays off big.

[steelhead]

OH Baby!
This is going to be fun!!!!
I am going to catch Large!!!!!

[steelhead]

Any suggestions for a source for those bead chain swivels?

[The Dad Fisherman]

Here ya Go


Bead Chain Swivels

[steelhead]

Thanks TDF...

[dickmont]

Once you've got your eel skins rigged nice on your plugs how do you guys store them? Don't they have to be kept wet in a brine solution like a pork rind or can you let them dry out and once rewetted thy are as good as new?

[Flaptail]

Kosher pickling salt. Get a Rubbermaid container that will hold your plugs without having to squeeze them in. Take the kosher Salt and fill the container to a level about 3/4 of the depth of the container. Drizzle water over the salt until it has the consistency of wet sand ( you can poke your finger into it and it leaves a nice hole with no water build-up on the bottom of the conatiner. Your ready. Store in the fridge between trips but never freeze. Check salt occasionally for dampness and add as needed. If rust occurs remove the offending hardware and change the salt out. After a while some skins will bleach out from the salt. It's ok cause the fish still hit them especially on eelskin jigs but you can change out the skin if you like the blue side or dark side better. Rig a couple of each as some nights they like blue side and some they prefer the dark side.

[dickmont]

Thanks for the info. I never in a million years would have thought of that. An additional thanks to all of you through out these message boards for sharing what you know about this great sport. I have yet to meet one of you that I haven't liked.