help me make rigged eels - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

tlapinski · 08-21-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlite

TLapinski whipped em out in front of me last fall

And then I showed you how to rig an eel...

Seriously, it is not that hard once you are shown your first. Bryan's method in the Fisherman a few weeks ago was interesting. Takes a few steps out that I do and adds his own twist. I learned from Pat Abate a few years back and really liked his method. The secret knot is the trick in his style, not sure who taught him. John Skinner also has a decent write up in "A Season on the Edge".

RIROCKHOUND · 08-21-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlapinski

And then I showed you how to rig an eel...

Seriously, it is not that hard once you are shown your first. Bryan's method in the Fisherman a few weeks ago was interesting.

Thanks. Not sure if interesting is a complement or not

Easy and durable though!

numbskull · 08-21-2008, 06:23 PM

FYI. "The Secrets of Surf Fishing at Night" by W A Muller has 2 chapters by Al Bentsen describing (with plenty of pictures) how to rig and fish eels.

afterhours · 08-21-2008, 07:04 PM

maybe Z will chime in...

NIB · 08-21-2008, 08:02 PM

So many ways to rigg eels..They are all good.I could not imaguine the damge you could do on that rock with a jersey rigged..Maybe if your nice I will rigg a couple for ya an bring em wit me.As long as you don't show BB..

Nebe · 08-21-2008, 08:22 PM

I beleive the secret to rigging a really good eel is a realy good rigging needle. One that is thin enough not to tear it all up.. one that is sharp enough to glide through the flesh and one that is thick enough not to bend and poke out the side...
From there, the hooks you use make a difference- short shanks will let your eel wiggle more than a long shank hook.

I agree with NIB.. a NJ rigged eel on a squid is a sexy beast... I was using one for a little while 2 seasons ago and named it the zombie before I forgot it in my plug bag

Zeno · 08-21-2008, 09:34 PM

Rigged eels are !@#$^&** addictive !
I am fortunate to have Al Bentsen close by (he was kind enough to wrote an introduction for me new book) but I learned how to rig them by Al's best friend Roger ,who is in my club. For the most part I played with them on and of but never serious. In putting together this book with McKenna, Skinner, Alberto and others, I read a chapter on rigged eels by Manny Moreno in April. It got me so wrapped up that I took a dozen dead eels to Cutty and came back with a "rigged eel disease". Now I fish them about 90% of the time when conditions allow. Redlite ,I wish you were closer ,I'll be glad to show you. Unfortunately ,the darn distance is quite a bit and Manny chapter wont help you this year.
I second the Secrets of Surf fishing at Night. Wonderful chapter written by Al Bentsen.

If you wonder what is all the fuss about (btw ,I haven't thrown a live eel in years) ..............someone asked Al Bentsen recently " Al ,what is the difference between fishing a lure or a rigged eel?"
Al replied
"About 20 pounds"

NIB · 08-21-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

I beleive the secret to rigging a really good eel is a realy good rigging needle. One that is thin enough not to tear it all up.. one that is sharp enough to glide through the flesh and one that is thick enough not to bend and poke out the side...
From there, the hooks you use make a difference- short shanks will let your eel wiggle more than a long shank hook.

I agree with NIB.. a NJ rigged eel on a squid is a sexy beast... I was using one for a little while 2 seasons ago and named it the zombie before I forgot it in my plug bag

In a pinch,I can fashoin a needle out of a coat hanger in about 30 seconds...
I have all kinds of needles..U can get some bait rigging needles from offshore catalogs..If you have access to a welders supply you can get some 3/32" SS rod your in..Peen one end down with a hammer an drill a small hole in it.sharpen the other end some and your done..

I use waxed bow string to lash the eels head to the front hook.Waxed line holds knots better..I use 50 lb dacron or 80 lb braid to connect the hooks.80 lb braid to hopefully catch the SOB bluefish that tries to shorten my custom offering..I use a form of a surgeons knot to connect the twin lines from the tail hook to hook to the front hook.

piemma · 08-22-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

I beleive the secret to rigging a really good eel is a realy good rigging needle. One that is thin enough not to tear it all up.. one that is sharp enough to glide through the flesh and one that is thick enough not to bend and poke out the side...
From there, the hooks you use make a difference- short shanks will let your eel wiggle more than a long shank hook.

I agree with NIB.. a NJ rigged eel on a squid is a sexy beast... I was using one for a little while 2 seasons ago and named it the zombie before I forgot it in my plug bag

My rigging needle was given to me by Charlie Murat. You talk about MOJO!!!!! he actually gave me 2. A big one and a smaller one for small eels.

Back Beach · 08-22-2008, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIB

I will rigg a couple for ya an bring em wit me.As long as you don't show BB..

He wants to know how to rig because he spotted one hanging from my rod tip a couple nights ago. I informed him he's caught enough fish already this year and told him to figure it out on his own...

steve · 08-22-2008, 06:19 AM

Mayday' I'll only charge 69.95 for the same info!

NIB · 08-22-2008, 06:22 AM

I was talking about a NJ rigged..The one with a swim plate(squids).Makes the eel come in like a SSSssnake...I know you may think you have tried/seen them before..There are many different types of squids..The hits are knock the gear out of your hands hard..
I think your a meanie.. you won't show em how to do the benson eel..
In NJ we share secrets with fellow OTW team members..

t.orlando · 08-22-2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIB

.Maybe if your nice I will rigg a couple for ya an bring em wit me...

I'm pretty nice too Tony

NIB · 08-22-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t.orlando

I'm pretty nice too Tony

mayday1019 · 08-22-2008, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

FYI. "The Secrets of Surf Fishing at Night" by W A Muller has 2 chapters by Al Bentsen describing (with plenty of pictures) how to rig and fish eels.

I just looked this book up on Amazon and there are 3 used books STARTING AT $99.95?!?!?

What gives?? Is this book some secret night fishing treasure or something??

NIB · 08-22-2008, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayday1019

I just looked this book up on Amazon and there are 3 used books STARTING AT $99.95?!?!?

What gives?? Is this book some secret night fishing treasure or something??

Cept for the benson stuff the book is you basic 130 page beginners type intructional book.I think it cost me 12 dollars..

Clogston29 · 08-22-2008, 06:41 AM

the part that I always had trouble with was the soldering.

i've been using a metal epoxy in its place and it has simplified the whole thing alot. once you get the head hook set up, it's pretty simple really.

i'm far from an expert on them, but i'll post a pic or two when i get home that may help you out. i'd offer to show you in person, but i think i'm pretty far from you, and you'd probably be better off with someone more experienced with them.

Back Beach · 08-22-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clogston29

the part that I always had trouble with was the soldering.

I'm far from a pro, but have the solder thing down pretty good. You can't really attach solder directly to the hook shank, at least I couldn't figure it out. What I do now is wrap two turns of 12 guage copper wire around the shank and tighten it down. Then I heat the wire with a blow torch, but not too hot. Next, I touch the solder to the copper wire and it melts down and forms a bond between the hook shank and copper. Its quite easy, but you have to experiment with how hot to get the copper otherwise the solder liquifies and runs right off the hook.