Questions about eels?

[JohnR]

Ah yes, another person into the fold of eel slingin'...

David,
Keep in mind that my fishing is primarily eels at night from shore, as taught to me by the #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&,here you go:

1. Mustad 6/0 Live bait/All Around hooks, not stainless as if you break off, you want the hook to rust out quick. I've also tried circle hooks but have not seen good results eeling. I'm going to try some more this year but I don't think it suits this application of fishing...

2. I personally like Berkly Big Game Clear 40 or 50# mono leader material. I generally use 18 to 36 inches of leader material depending on the boulderability factor which is much more pronounced with surf fishing.

3. Again I like to use 20# to 30# Big Game Green which I buy in one pound spools. Not as hardy as alot of the braids and all but at the cost difference, it doesn't hurt to respool alot more frequently.

4. My boat fishing is limited but you should do what conditions permit and sometimes both. It also depends on how close to the shore rubble you are. Certainly don't drop anchor in the middle of other's drifts as what happens too often >(

5. I like good size eels 12-15 inches with a little meat but sometimes you can't get those and get shoe strings which catch big fish too. My big concern is that they are castable, not as big of an issue with a boat. The two main ways to hook an eel are in to the mouth and through the bottom - I much prefer for shore fishing or in to the mouth and out an eye socket, which is about even in surf and more dominant in the boat.

6. Letting fish run really varies. Depends on how the fish are hitting. I like a 3-5 count but sometimes you need longer sometimes right after you drop the tip set... I usually start at 4-5 seconds and vary it.

7. Fishing the drop would probably be the best tide at an inlet - not universally but probably most consistent. Also best on average to fish the strong side of the drop. If you are working a sea current heading east and the river is dumping out, usually your best fishing will be in the rip that curls to the east from the inlet.

Summer boat fest in David's boat everyone. How many can you fit, hehehe :P