Eel pot bait

[ivanputski]

Do you need the presence of eel grass, or is a muddy bottom of a salt pond eel territory as well? I have some great eel grass nearby, but I need the kayak every time, and I think a buoy might get run over by nearby docked boats... do any of you guys drop a buoy? or just shore spot and tie off? I would like to find a few shore spots... I'd be way more likely to do it. Ive tried without much luck, but it might have been my bait (striper carcass.)

[Ken_J]

A friend of mine just uses dead bunker. That is pretty easy to get.

You should see all the eels he gets; big mongo eels for skin eels too.

The trap is setup in a local river.

Originally Posted by ivanputski

Do you need the presence of eel grass, or is a muddy bottom of a salt pond eel territory as well? I have some great eel grass nearby, but I need the kayak every time, and I think a buoy might get run over by nearby docked boats... do any of you guys drop a buoy? or just shore spot and tie off? I would like to find a few shore spots... I'd be way more likely to do it. Ive tried without much luck, but it might have been my bait (striper carcass.)

[MikeToole]

Originally Posted by ivanputski

Do you need the presence of eel grass, or is a muddy bottom of a salt pond eel territory as well? I have some great eel grass nearby, but I need the kayak every time, and I think a buoy might get run over by nearby docked boats... do any of you guys drop a buoy? or just shore spot and tie off? I would like to find a few shore spots... I'd be way more likely to do it. Ive tried without much luck, but it might have been my bait (striper carcass.)

Mud bottom is good, eel grass is not needed. I set mind in a march that has those trenches they put in years ago for bug control. Throw it in the trench on a rising tide occurring at night and pull it 12 hours later. Just stake the trap to shore. Also hang one from a bridge in a canal that is there all the time. Theft is an issue in many areas.

[Fishoholic]

Last night I came to the conclusion that I'm the worlds worst eel trapper. I tried each of the following some many times, squid, pogies (fresh & rank) horseshoe crabs (male & female, yes I broke the shell) chicken drumsticks, chicken thighs, stale bread, mackerel and even a tog rack. I have set the traps in eel grass, next to eel grass, on mud bottoms, or rocky bottoms, next to bridges, under bridges, in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of everywhere. Only place I can catch them is the bait shop for 1.50 a piece! I can't fathom that it's easier to catch a bass then a %$%$%$%$ing eel!