Rigged eels & rubber eels, Slug-gos, etc. - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Sea Dangles · 02-02-2006, 06:14 PM

I use Gami octo in 5 or 6 for eeling but I'm no expert.I hookem different than E.M. but I don't cast off eels.I have caught some decent fish and have never bent a hook,but I use a drag.Most hooks are bent because you hook into the jaw and get seperation pressure.Like Bill said a slow action rod is essential.My mentor,the Iron Man uses Gami live bait,these are $$$ but he prefers the strength and short shank.Some sharpies feed nails to their snakes to weigh them down,those slimies are hard to kill.Some times a trolling sinker can be used in line, above your leader.This is especially helpful on the backside of the cape when the water is moving sideways.

Skitterpop · 02-02-2006, 07:03 PM

Yes ......... in his OTW article about Slug-Gos Steve uses Gamakatsu

either Octopus 7/5 or live bait 7/5 (front to rear).

Clammer · 02-02-2006, 07:10 PM

Ok its #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, I just happen to be at clammers house.........Having said that..Tlap, I never said anywhere that gamis are crap, there awesome hooks, just not for me when it comes to tosing live eels...........Like I said a million times, to each his own.....Steve uses those hooks because they do not rust...which is exacly what he wants for the sluggo after rigging it, he does not want the hooks rusting, for me, the mustad rusts fast and if I have to clip the leader to let the fish go I have peace of mind that the hook will rust out! One is a lure................the other an eel, it would be like having any plug with hooks that rust in a day, you would not want that, same for the sluggo, When steve fishes live eels he uses the same hook I do..ask him !

Pt.JudeJoe · 02-02-2006, 07:23 PM

ewww .. that was kinda creepy...like watching Edgar Cayce in a trance and having someone from the other side's voice come out..

Joe · 02-02-2006, 07:26 PM

Hmm...
I'm gonna offer some other hook choice with the sluggo kits I sell. I had not heard about them opening like that.
Any consensous on alternatives that are about the same price? I'm open to suggestions. The rust factor is important - the hook needs to be resistant.
Good discussion here - lots of positive info - s-b.com at its best.

LeCounts1099 · 02-02-2006, 07:44 PM

Joe... How about Gami Siwash open- eye (S.S.), for the head- hook on rigged 9" Sluggos! I then attach a black large/ heavy- duty swivel to the open- eye, which then I clip onto my snap like any other lure. No, they're not cheap!!-- but these would never open, & I like the bigger bite vs. Octopus...

Personally, I believe the tail- hook/ double- rigging even the large Sluggos is unnecessary, & don't bother. I just weight the middle & tail & that's all! One 6/0 or 7/ 0 Gami Open Siwash & swivel, & I'm rigged & good to go! (hint: glue the head of the Sluggo to the middle/ barrel of the swivel after proper/ straight placement, rather than bother wrapping & then glueing the hook- shank!)

All this, & I'll admit I'm not really a Sluggo guy-- would much rather chuck wood or (hard) plastic myself! (I get the impression you too Joe?) Hard to argue with Steve's (& others) results though!

LeCounts1099 · 02-02-2006, 08:15 PM

Dangles: as usual, Iron Mike is right on! IF $ is no object, then no- doubt Gami Live Bait hooks are the absolute best for Live- eeling! But they are VERY expensive!!

With the preponderance of rat Bluefish over the last few years-- even during traditionally Bass Witching hours!... and the ever- present rocky/ boulder- strewn Coastline that we fish here from Montauk to Newport (and as opposed to the sands of the Cape, N.J., P.I., etc.), I just find these hooks too cost- prohibitive! Not to mention the ever- present need to clip off our eel- hooks when taken deeply by a ready-for-release Bass...

The hooks #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& recommends are dirt- cheap by todays' standards: if they also work great-- then we'll be less shy about using them around Blues, or rocky/ sticky areas... & that in itself will produce more fish! (Can't tell you how many times I pulled a cow Bass from among small Blues!)

I'm sure the Ironman gets his hooks & tackle free at this point from eager sponsors/ tackle Co.s? (or at least he well should! He's the "Michael Jordan" of our sport!)

Clammer · 02-02-2006, 08:16 PM

Joe, to be honest, unlike steve I much prefer the gorrila hook gami has, those never open up! As far as the gami being better (lecounts) I have to disagree totally, The mustad sharpens up fantastic and, the short shank hides in the bait much better, but again, now we are splitting hairs.Gami "live bait hooks" and there octopus hooks are two different hooks the live bait gamis are very good, however I am more than happy with the mustads and have caught thousands of bass on them.................The money really has noting to do with it, even if there more expensive its really not a break the bank desicion. If they were the best I would fish them.