How Many MONSTAHS Did It TAKE,,,,,,,,,,

[Mr. Sandman]

1979 SW point..had fish every single cast all night long and only got one to the beach. (And I thought I was pretty accomplished then) All the fish were monsters. I was outgunned, tired and frankly pretty embarrassed. I had 3 empty spools by daybreak. Walked into Twin Maples the next morning and told the old man what happened to me that night...first question was, what kind of line were you using...I said 17# stren...he didn't say a word an plopped a big fat spool of 50# ande pink on the counter with a thud. I said I don't think I can cast that line all that far. His response was "Distance is not your problem son." The next night was epic.

The next thing that went were those crappy mustad trebles that came on the gibbs plugs (and rebbles/redfins). I replace all the them with hand brazed stainless steel trebles from Eagle claw (they don't make them any more...I asked, I still have a few they bring back found memories, I remember they were $100 per box and some thought I was nuts, but after loosing fish of a lifetime, you don't care what it cost you just want another shot at them.) (this was pre-vmc days). Then moved to ultra heavy split rings.

[Sea Dangles]

I also use the Gami Octopus in size 5,6, or 7/0. I like the fact they are slightly offset and have a hunch it increases hookups. I always snell the hook and feel more confidence since switching to that knot. It's fun to tie, especially in the dark. I will say the 7/0 size had reports of snapping but I've heard it has been resolved. I have never had one bend or snap though.The short shank in addition to the straight eye make snelling the live bait difficult IMO.I love going to M&D's in the Spring to say Hi to Mike Thomas who is the true definition of a gentleman. Mike has great prices in bulk and I will buy packs of 100 pc. hooks in addition to bulk packs of spro swivels in size 4 which are rated to 130#. Probably overkill but I feel the heavier guage wire will not cut into my leader or braid, also a confidence booster when fighting large near the rocks. Very strange year for me as I have always used the method RIrock employs for setting up on a fish. This year the majority of fish were nibblers regardless of size therefore I pulled the eel out of many mouths before I switched to fishing eels with the line between my fingertips and letting them take the bait. I would then place the line on the roller and set the hook. Every year we learn more and expect the unexpected.

[steve]

Mr. Sandman, your response brings back memories! I wish we had VMC trebles back then on the Island. Sea dangles, over alot of years fishing with live eels I too like the Gami 5/0 and 6/0 octupus. I've only had one snap mid shank and will throw the m away ( hooks) after a good night. I also use Gami 7/0 's on the rigged sluggos and had one get completly straightened ot on Cutty one night. Other than that, these hooks are dependable I think. Also, this season I really got back into live eeling and tried octapus hooks by Owner and was really impressed. They are alot like the Gami's but I think a little stronger and more expensive though. A little smaller too. In the Owner I had to use 6/0 and 7/0. I don't use really big eels like some.

[Vogt]

Originally Posted by steve

Mr. Sandman, your response brings back memories! I wish we had VMC trebles back then on the Island. Sea dangles, over alot of years fishing with live eels I too like the Gami 5/0 and 6/0 octupus. I've only had one snap mid shank and will throw the m away ( hooks) after a good night. I also use Gami 7/0 's on the rigged sluggos and had one get completly straightened ot on Cutty one night. Other than that, these hooks are dependable I think. Also, this season I really got back into live eeling and tried octapus hooks by Owner and was really impressed. They are alot like the Gami's but I think a little stronger and more expensive though. A little smaller too. In the Owner I had to use 6/0 and 7/0. I don't use really big eels like some.

I used to use the 6/0 gami octupus religously for eeling, untill I picked up a pack of owners. The hook point on the gami's have a tendancy to bend or even break off if you make contact with the bottom, whereas the owner's seem to have MCUH stronger points. They also seem to be a little bit thicker than gami's for their size, which is a plus.

[BassDawg]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

I also use the Gami Octopus in size 5,6, or 7/0. I like the fact they are slightly offset and have a hunch it increases hookups. I always snell the hook and feel more confidence since switching to that knot. It's fun to tie, especially in the dark. I will say the 7/0 size had reports of snapping but I've heard it has been resolved. I have never had one bend or snap though.The short shank in addition to the straight eye make snelling the live bait difficult IMO.I love going to M&D's in the Spring to say Hi to Mike Thomas who is the true definition of a gentleman. Mike has great prices in bulk and I will buy packs of 100 pc. hooks in addition to bulk packs of spro swivels in size 4 which are rated to 130#. Probably overkill but I feel the heavier guage wire will not cut into my leader or braid, also a confidence booster when fighting large near the rocks. Very strange year for me as I have always used the method RIrock employs for setting up on a fish. This year the majority of fish were nibblers regardless of size therefore I pulled the eel out of many mouths before I switched to fishing eels with the line between my fingertips and letting them take the bait. I would then place the line on the roller and set the hook. Every year we learn more and expect the unexpected.

good stuff, Chris!

i'm a big fan of the spro 130's, it's all i use.
thanks to you, also, for your technical pointers.
i cain't wait to try all of these advices out when

THE COWWWS COME HOME!!!

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

This year the majority of fish were nibblers regardless of size therefore I pulled the eel out of many mouths before I switched to fishing eels with the line between my fingertips and letting them take the bait. I would then place the line on the roller and set the hook. Every year we learn more and expect the unexpected.

Hmm.