Would the loss of eels truly hurt you?

[RIROCKHOUND]

Good thread...
I think that there are tons of nuances to fishing eels, BUT eels probably level the playing field the most.. cast, reel sloooow then do your prefered set and fight the fish...

I think it would hurt me personably.. It would force me to use plastic more and, well jigs.. jigs are always good too

[Slingah]

I have not fished eels but a couple times in the past two seasons...almost all my fish over thirty pounds have come on eels, but thats all I used to fish..........Im using eels this year in the right places, where I maybe wouldnt have the last two years......just in case

[baldwin]

Haven't really fished eels in years. I get more satisfaction from plugs and flies, and they're easier to use when you decide to fish last-minute.

[Goose]

I go with what I know and know eel is big bass get down deep bait. If I'm going to spend countless hours, ect. ect. fishing then I want those hours spent with intent on targeting the biggest fish.

[tlapinski]

One thing I see happening is the truly good fishermen will shine. Sure, there are things that make some guys better eel fishermen than others, but making a fish think your hunk of wood/plastic/lead is live food takes more skill than placing a live offering in a bass's face. All things equal, in front of a hungry bass, she will take the live offering over the fake any day. I think you'll see far less googans falling on trophy fish while the "sharpies" continue to pick away at the cows. It's all about adapting to the situation at hand.

I know when I fish plugs now, I always wonder if I am missing something by throwing an eel, and vise-versa. If I eliminate the option of eels, I'll fish what I can use that much better.

I do still have two places where eels shine and there is really no other option that can take the fish that an eel can. I plan to work on that this year, though, so I'm not left in the cold when/if we can no longer use them.

[Steve K]

Definitely. My largest fish have all come on eels. If there were a moratorium, I am sure that I would be fine but in July and August my productivity would be down.

[In The Surf]

Good question Toby. My largest fish fell to that striper candy. Last year due to eel size and $ issues I fished plugs more and did very well. This year I plan to fish rigged sluggo's more than I did in the past along with the plugs that have produced for me. I still plan to fish eels while we can providing I find the size range I prefer. Also I have been meaning to trap my own to see how that works out.

[Nebe]

I saw this eel problem coming a while ago and stayed clear of eels the last 2 seasons. Yes i have used them in times of desperation, but mainly i am a plugger/jigger. So nope, the eel moratorium will not hurt me one bit.

[Nebe]

good points Toby. I agree with you. I will say that the larger bass i caugt on eels seemed to have full bellies, while the big ones i caught on plugs always seemed to be empty. Its almost like they hit that plug out of desperation.. while they hit the eel out of pleasure.

[ThrowingTimber]

Have no problem fishing eels, but mainly use artificials.

[shadow]

definitely.I fish eels about 80% of the time and they produce my best fish,I like plugging better but eels simply produce more consistently for me.There are guys who can work magic w/ there plugs,I'am just not there yet.