Eel Skins - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Mike P · 05-23-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

Eel Skins have become impossible to buy. I was talking to the guys at Red Top this AM and they told me Maco has them. Well, I spoke to the guy at Maco and he sang me a song of sorrow about how everyone wants to buy eel skins but no one buys his other stuff so his now going to punish everyone and will no longer carry eel skins.

So here's the question. Short of me skinning my own eels, (which I have done in the past) does anyone know where I can buy a bunch of eel skins?

Could be because Maco's has nothing else worth buying--talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face

Paul, I've heard that if you go to seafood markets in Italian neighborhoods around Christmas time, you can find skins, and they may even give them to ya.

'Course, that doesn't help you now.

But, you know what? I rarely see anyone throwing skins nowadays. Today's plastics are equally effective MOST of the time, and much easier to rig and keep. Even my regular fishing partner, who was as big a skinner as they came not too long ago, has switched over entirely to his own hand poured plastics.

piemma · 05-23-2010, 11:31 AM

You know what Mike? You are probably right. I have been waxing nostalgic for the old days. Can't see putting a plastic eel on a plug.

I know you didn't mean that but I just like the way a "skin plug" moves.

Saltheart · 05-23-2010, 12:36 PM

I think there are times when the smell of the skins may get you a bite when other lures or plastic won't. The question is how often and is it worth it if its only rare when a plastic tail won't do the trick. I think when the bass are really keyed into a vertain bait , like herring , you may get them to hit a skin jig if its set up right. Skins are a big pain. Some people use Condoms.

I think rigged eels are worth the effort. They catch well , they are tough to all things except blue fish , and again you get them free when your live one dies.

Mike P · 05-23-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

You know what Mike? You are probably right. I have been waxing nostalgic for the old days. Can't see putting a plastic eel on a plug.

I know you didn't mean that but I just like the way a "skin plug" moves.

Plug sized skins are even harder to come by, which is where the seafood joints in old Italian neighborhoods come into their own. There have to be one or two left on the Hill, you'd think?

I'm actually shocked that no one has a synthetic skin on the market. The guy who made the old Dri-Core surf tops had some for while.