So what do YOU use for your long distance hiking treks

[Nebe]

loose the eel bucket and use a mesh bag. loose the 2nd pole and use a pole that does everything.

my new rule for this season is to go light enough so the walk back to the truck with a 50lber isnt a problem

[BrianS]

wouldnt a mesh bag only work while wading? or do you just plop them in the water while casting?

[tlapinski]

Try a 1 gallon bucket from a paint store or if you know someone that works at a restaurant, have them save you a 1 gallon salad dressing or mayonaise jug. You can attatch a rope to the dressing jug and put it over your shoulder. If you adjust the rope correctly, you won't even notice it's there. put a small hole at the top of the bucket to let water out. If you put too many holes in the bucket, on a windy day the eels will dry out and die if you don't continue to dunk them. Also, with a lot of holes, if you wade deep it will fill up with water when a wave comes in, and empty as the wave receeds. If the waves are strong enough, it can knock you down or at least throw off your balance. Also, I feel it helps to spray paint the bucket black. I spray both the inside and the outside. The inside keeps the eels dark, and the outside keeps you from standing out as much.

[Mike P]

I agree with a lot of what's been said. One rod. Take a versatile rod that can throw 3/4 oz plastic swimmers to 3-1/2 oz plugs. It won't do both equally well, but it'll do. If that limits you to a spinning reel, so be it. Some guys can throw the light stuff on conventional, most can't.

One bag. I carry one that'll hold "doubles", ie, two plugs a slot. Know the surf and wind conditions you'll be facing before you hoof it so you leave behind the stuff that'll land 5' behind you on a cast into a stiff wind.

I wear a waist pouch that has a large zipper pocket, and two smaller ones. In the large pocket, I stuff a file, a 50 yard wheel spool of leader material, a spare spool for the reel I'm using, a Leatherman tool, maybe a plastic bag of teasers, and a pair of good cutting pliers. In one of the smaller pockets, I carry a small Plano box of swivels, snaps and Breakaway clips. I carry a spare flashlight behind the last row of inserts in my plug bag, plus my hook removal pliers (needlenose). If I'm fishing a smaller conventional, like a Calcutta 400, in addition to a spare spool, I might carry a similar sized spare reel, like an Abu 6500, in one of the side pouches on my plug bag. I use a Canyon bag that has a side pouch large enough.

Another approach is to use a backpack. Put a selection of lures in 2 Plano boxes.

If I'm walking all that way and using spinning gear, I'm taking a spinning reel I have confidence in. That means a Penn 704/706 or a Van Staal. I'm not taking a chance on stripping the gears in some piece of Chinese junk and having to walk all that way and not fish.

[Mr. Sandman]

Eben is right. Mesh bag is fine for eels for the night. No buckets. The only thing in my hands is my (1) rod, everthing else is on my belt or stays in the vehcile. I take a small aquasinz bag and a belt pauch (or a med bag) my mesh bag and rod. If I am going remote for a while (ie like a solo CH all nighter)...I wear a fishing vest that has saftey equipment...cell phone, whiste, first aid, space blanket, ect. All my leaders and goodies are ready to fish. No goofing around tying leaders on the beach at 2:00am when the bite is hot. Also, if you get a 50 will you take her? If so, better figure a way to hike this thing out before you get there. (make a carrier out of a rope and handle) so tuck this material someplace.
Think, and take your time.

[fishweewee]

1) One plug bag. Usually a large Aquaskinz or my trusty Surfcaster bag stuffed to the brim.

2) A fly fishing vest with two front pouches and a large rear pouch (like a backback but lighter). Front pouches will contain terminal tackle and leader and small things like soft plastics. Rear pouch might have a bottle of water, some snacks, a stringer rope, and a tape measure. If there's room, then a small scale, a small camera and my cell phone in a zip-loc bag. If I'm forgetful, I also carry a copy of a tide chart and pertinent regs in a zip-loc bag.

3) My flashlight is tied to a long piece of surgical tubing, which I can then carry safely around my neck.

4) Obvious to many, but I have my plyers in a sheath on my wader belt.

[tlapinski]

I used to use the mesh bags for my eels, but I found most of them would die as I walked along. Also, they would get all nasty from the slime getting wiped off in the mesh, and then it would pick up sand and just become a big mess. That and the fact that I would get eel slime all over my waders, jacket, or wetsuit.

Do you guys using the mesh bag ever run into them dying prematurely?

[partsjay]

I use 1 rod, this year I went down to an Army Navy store, they have all types of bags....some pretty cheap....bought a few different size canvas bags that have a belt loop...bought some tubing at home depot, cut to length,....thats it....just load them up on a belt, have 2 free hands and plenty of storage for everything....

[Joe]

I'm going to use my intern Bart - have him drop me at the waters edge and then valet park.

[piemma]

Plastic mayo jug with holes punched in it. Attach a piece of mono to the lid. Throw a few eels in and some ice and make a loop of some rope to string the bucket on your wader belt. Eels will last all night and you can move at will.
I've used this system for 15 years and it works well.

[Krispy]

They can dry out in the mesh bags, but Im usually near water when fishing , so they get dunked every 45min/hour. Its convenient, because its clipped to the belt.

Id rather do the soft cooler bag w/ ice than a jar

[CANAL RAT]

get a mid sized plug bag with a pocket in the front with pre made leaders,pliers,camera and extra spool filled with line. use one rod so choose it wisely. you can use a mesh bag with a draw string or a cheap soft side cooler with a lunch pack freezer block to keep your eels cold keep a wet rag in the bag to keep them moist. wear breathable waders. wear a head lamp and keep and spare bulb and set of batteries and a small back up light in your plug bag.

[NIB]

U have to keep it simple or the trek will become to much work.Ditch has the right idea on the plugs u have to consider the conditions first.then u can limit ur selection IE: bright moon light dark moon dark.I never crried a spare spool as getting spooled is not a option.I stuff a extra light in the bag.rubbers jigs the usual plugs pliers all go in the bag.eels go in a tuperware drink container.with holes made for a rope.most times i don't use eels.another important thing is a six ft piece of rope to drag a good fish out if u need.A long walk with a heavy fish is no fun.of course u could always just let em go.

[spence]

I love the small Aquaskinz bag on the belt. It hold all my leaders and teaser rigs (all pre-tied), spare emergency light and other knicknacks. Pliers are on the belt...this way I can swap plug backs and still have the stuff I'll need regardless.

Things like the cell phone, keys and money clip go in a cargo pocket of my shorts.

I've got a big OR waterproof bag that holds everything else. It stays in the trunk of my car, and I just take it with me if I'm in someone elses buggy. Sometimes I'll throw it over the shoulder and drop it when fishing less travelled areas.

-spence

[Bronko]

A 10 tube surf bag (bronco/canyon/aquaskinz) that holds plugs/tin and rubber slung over the shoulder. A good knife...good pliers...headlamp... some water and a couple of power bars.