Great Post/ point, Back Beach! I was thinking the same thing myself! (i.e., who said the cast & retrieved eel at night must be live or lively to be effective? Or that there's only one way to rig for "all" eel casting approaches).
My added 2 cents to your point, though, is somewhat disagreement, if I infer correctly that you fish primarily the sandy beaches of the Back? My take is: IF I'm fishing shallow rocky/ structure- heavy spots when eeeling, then I prefer dead/ totally non- lively eels (fear of hanging- up, & other reasons too). But IF I'm fortunate enough to be fishing the snag- free (but unfortunately now seal & cocktail- Blue infested) Back Beaches I love so much too, then I like to fish my eels live always, given the choice. No, not lively! -- I'm fishing only for my trophy/ "50," never #'s, so I adhere to the belief that SLOW & easy works best for Momma. Dead is not necessary for her to decide to pursue/ take-- but slow/ wounded/ near dead, etc., yes, I believe so!
Changing topics briefly, for sure if I were choosing to use conventional gear w/ 40 or 50 lb. test to throw my eels, or even spinning w/ 50+ lb. braid (never touch the stuff myself!)... then for SURE I would avoid using Gama Octopus' : as to my field- testing they are "light, thin" & thus less strong eel hooks than are other options (#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&'s Mustad choice being one, or my preferred the Owner (Gorilla? Not sure offhand). But: as I am a 17 - or 20- lb. test Mono guy always when throwing eels from Sand... I can use the Octopus hooks & receive their special benefits (thin is always better than thick/ heavy when hooks are discussed in live bait fishing), without worrying about my 5/0's opening up when the big girl takes, which I'm convinced they would with heavy gear/ drag/ pressure.
Finally, given a choice of what I'm throwing in rocky/ sticky spots like Quonny, Nobska, Sqibby, Block, etc. : I'd be using dead eels on a heavy- duty hook, on conventional 30 or 40 lb. gear/ mono. But as I'm stubborn, & dislike conventionals in the surf, I've gone the VS 300 w/ 25 lb. mono route for that application/ unforgiving turf. So far so good: only lost 2 "50s" that way since in those type places! (Used to lose "tons" w/ 20 lb. mono)...
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