Rigged Sluggo

[eelman]

Steve has peaked my interest in these things however I must say, the other night his fish to hook ratio was not as good as mine with the live eel, I just dont know, I am not ready to give up live eels by anymeans but I am going to fish these more. As for casting them I have no problem with conventional gear but, I am used to it it is of course lighter than most lures so you need to make sure your thumb is guarding the spool or its birdnest city, If I fish these it will be on a lighter rod like the ST.CROIX Tidemaster HC80HF.

[eelman]

7/0 Gamakatsu Octopus or Live Bait Hook (head hook)
5/0 Gamakatsu Octopus or Live Bait Hook (tail hook)

[BigBo]

Sluggos are okay, but try these.
Ledgerunner Baits

[FishermanTim]

I have some of both sizes of Ledgerunner jerk baits.

My suggestion would be to try these because what if you weren't able to get eels and you wanted to fish? Would you waste time driving around looking for a bait shop that has some? Or maybe just skip fishing until the next shipment comes in? With these plastic "imitations", you are only limited by how much time you want to spent fishing, and how long it will take to get there.

(Note that I don't think ANYONE would just "skip fishing", but I had to include that option.)

[eelman]

Yes true but I cover that situation by buying eels in bulk and keeping them in my own storage tank, however I will try them acually I already have and yes, they work, but I still say Nothing comes close to the real thing, one taste's like a goodyear tire the other taste's like the real thing. If the day comes when eels are no longer with us, I will have to begin my own "jurrasic" park experimant and breed my own from the DNA of dead eels in my fridge! No seriously there is no way these will get larger bass than a live eel in my opinion, they get more numbers from small fish but not the cows

[Mr. Sandman]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

one taste's like a goodyear tire the other taste's like the real thing.

I don't know...I think those ledgerunners taste pretty darn good. Live eels are a little to slick for my palatte.

actually, as much as I love casting plugs, live eels are probably the perfect surfasters striper bait. They stay alive and are easy to keep. They cast good enough to fish like a plug. Simple rig. Boat or shore. deep or shallow. It allows you to fish bait like a plug without lead nor tending the bottom picking weed and crabs off your offering. Comm guys out this way fish 8 rods at a time all eels, when a pod passes by it is a chineese fire drill.

While I would rather fish plugs from the shore my largest fish have come on eels. But I think this could change in the coming years. In the past, plugs were pretty crude. Today we have perfectly balanced works of art and plastics that look as real as a real fish and swimmer better then most fish, and bunker spoons the size of a keeper fluke and braid line and better hooks and terminal tackle.

Also I think the profile of a big storm at times could fool a cow esp if she has her eyes peeled for herring or bunker. I would give it even odds that the next record falls for a plastic or custom plug as a live bait. Bait is proably still king, but with the outlook for eels and fresh bunker...you better start working with plastics.

(Also, I know a few "purist" surfcasters that shun bait (or boats) of anykind and consider it very unsportsmanlike to fish an eel. )


(ps Your membership in the "50" club has lapsed, (as has mine ) ...In order to keep your membership in this club you need to get a 50 EACH SEASON. Also, please send in your back dues asap . )

[eelman]

wow thats a tall order! a 50 every season! I will try