eel skin on plugs...

[fishpoopoo]

does it matter which way the loop is set up? should it be vertically or horizontally oriented?

thx - good tip.

-fpp

[Flaptail]

I always use a tail hook with a skin needle, usually a SS VMC 4/0 Siwash open eye then closed right to the tail loop of the needle.

The Gibbs standard needle is an outstanding plug to put a skin on. Some are blue side out some are dark side out.

Always scrape off any meat left on. I pack mine in Kosher Pickling salt which is very coarse. I put the salt in a zip lock then dribble in water a little at a time. You want it damp, not wet. The litmus test is being able to poke your finger into the salt and leave a hole that keeps it shape and shows no excess water.

Store in refridgerator after trip, never the freezer. You get blotches and the skins break down.

I make my own needles for skins with a groove for tying about a quarter inch in back of the nose loop. Most bodies are six inches long. But if you don't make your own plugs, I believe a wooden plug with a skin is way better than plastic. I like my skins to fit snug over the plug body as well.

Hope that helps ya!

I keep the tails about three inches longer than the plug body as a rule of thumb. Cusght some beautiful fish in the last three weeks on them.

[Slipknot]

waxed floss holds knots better, Z showed me that

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

waxed floss holds knots better, Z showed me that

I use 18#lb test squidding line (mainly cause I got a spool) but it works well.

Ol' Stan Daggett revealed to me one time while I was priviliged to be invited into his basement in West Dennis how he used skins over a little basic needle he made from dowels with 1/8 ounce egg sinkers stuffed in each end. You strecth pencil eel skins over it from 10" eels.

I have been using one of the skin needle plugs he gave me for a couple weeks now. Fished just the way he told me and they are deadly.

[fishpoopoo]

thx guys.

care to share how you work them?

[Flaptail]

Ben, s-l-o-w is the key. If fishing an area where there is current I let the needle or plug swing with it with occasional pulse (lightly done) as soon as the tension of the current is felt to be reduced the retrieve starts again with an occasional pause. Many fish take it on the pause.

Other wise whatever plug is adorned with a skin I just make it a slighly slower action than normal. I have found that it is normally taken by bigger fish than the same plug sans a skin.

Just because your skin plug starts to bleach out or start to dispense a less than pleasing odor oft times the fish find it more attractive.

[fishpoopoo]

Steve-

Thanks again.

I'm liking this eelskin approach - a lot less of a hassle than using live eels (made scramble to B&T shop, keeping 'em alive, etc). Easy to craft, easy to maintain, and these things are TOUGH.

-fpp