eels coming off the hook during retrieve?

[Saltheart]

maybe something was stealing them on you last night?

[Canalman]

I use the circles too... as Luds was saying, I go up through the bottom jaw and out behind the eye... try and get some skull this make for a much stronger hook-hold.

Rockport--- I bet the eels you were using were small is that correct? Those little pin-snakes as I call them, are acrobatic little bastids, it seems to me that because they are lighter and wirier (that a word and a half ) they can still get their tail up around the hook, even on the retrieve, and pop the hook right out. You may want to smack their tails on a rock a few times to take some of the fight out of them. I've had that happen many times... and always with small eels (9" or shorter).

Hope that helps,
-Dave

[Rockport24]

Originally Posted by Canalman

I use the circles too... as Luds was saying, I go up through the bottom jaw and out behind the eye... try and get some skull this make for a much stronger hook-hold.

Rockport--- I bet the eels you were using were small is that correct? Those little pin-snakes as I call them, are acrobatic little bastids, it seems to me that because they are lighter and wirier (that a word and a half ) they can still get their tail up around the hook, even on the retrieve, and pop the hook right out. You may want to smack their tails on a rock a few times to take some of the fight out of them. I've had that happen many times... and always with small eels (12" or shorter).

Hope that helps,
-Dave

They were on the small side, like 14 inches or so, but they were acrobatic little suckers... I usually don't feel them moving around too much on the end of the line when they are in the water, but these things were going nuts....

[Canalman]

14" Is perfect size for beach fishing... maybe the factor is not length so much as it is girth? The skinny ones always seem more lively/acrobatic... who knows... did you catch any fish ?

[Shake N' Bake]

Does anyone have further advice for fishing with eels?
Perhaps a picture of a proper hooking.
I have never tried fishing stripers with eels.
Is it best to fish eels at night vs. day?
I found a bait dealer that sells eels and now I want to give it a try.

Thanks in advance.

Jim

[Rockport24]

yeah I caught a fish on a plug and the fish had my eel sticking out of it's mouth! NOOOO I didn't catch anything because those two eels were my first two friggin' casts and that was all I brought because it as gonna be a short outing, then nothing after that with plugs and sluggos.

[RedHerring]

You should always use a circle hook with eels, unless you plan to kill all the bass you catch. If you are a true sportsfisherman, use circle hooks.

[Rockport24]

oh please....

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by RedHerring

You should always use a circle hook with eels, unless you plan to kill all the bass you catch. If you are a true sportsfisherman, use circle hooks.

I've never used circles and have never gut hooked a bass using eels. Tap, Tap, lower rod.....slam. Gets 'em in the lip almost every time.

[5/0]

Originally Posted by RedHerring

You should always use a circle hook with eels If you are a true sportsfisherman, use circle hooks.

5/0

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by RedHerring

If you are a true sportsfisherman, use circle hooks.

If Fishing is a Sport.....Then you're Looking at an Athlete

[Rockport24]

thanks for the advice guys, and Saltheart, that's what I would like to think, but I threw the bag at them after I lost the eels without any hits...

[5/0]

Matt when drifting eels in the Canal I have them come off the hook not knowing it and on the retrive I have a starfish on the hook instead?!?!Go figure


5/0