I tried braid for slinging eels for the first time . . .

[rickhern]

50# Big Game Braid is by far my favorite braid. I would stick with it unless fishing a 4000 size reel where you might need a little extra capacity. From my experience, the increase in distance is minimal, but the 30 is much harder to work with, particularly at night. Neither has any stretch, so sensitivity will not be an issue. Try circle hooks with the eels.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by rickhern

Try circle hooks with the eels.

Rick, I've had an awful hookup ratio with circle hooks, compared to regular octopus hooks. I started last year with circle hooks for a few weeks, then switched to regular octo and it seemed like my hookup ration almost doubled. I was catching relatively the same size fish as well - small keepers, up to 20+#.

I haven't gut-hooked a fish since very early last season.

Maybe I just don't have the technique with circles down. Any thoughts?