DragonsLax48 Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 I've had my good days with eels but admittedly Im not the best when it comes to the snakes. I need help working through what I did wrong the other night. I know there are bass from upper teens-mid 20s or bigger in this location out back. But I knew I was fishing the more finess part of the tide hence why I brought out the secret sauce. Gear: 9ft moderate-fast rod, vs150, 30lb braid, 50lb leader, tied w/ a snell to a 7/0 Gami Octopus. eel hooked through the chin and out the eye to prevent from snagging on shallow bottom. So I had 4 good takes where I felt the eels freak out and get picked up. It wasnt the usual sharp taps that I have experienced before. The first time I dropped the tip and hammered a hook set to no prevail. The next two pickups were the same, but I dropped the tip and stepped forward a few feet until I felt the line pulling tight again then I set the hook to no prevail. the fourth take was similar but this time I dropped the time and dropped line off the roller but the fish never committed enough to swim off (I may have interfered when I tried to get the line off the roller). So at the end of the tide, my buddy that was plugging was just watching a laughing since he couldnt buy a hit. I had 4 good takes and no hook ups. Someone please help me because I want to commit the rest of my spring to eeling when conditions are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChumSlickJon Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Small bass usually don't get hooked. Big bass don't require a long wait. IsmailG, bbfish, DragonsLax48 and 1 other 4 Delete from SOL_Users where username like 'wasy','Seal'.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazybellringer Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 thats what i think small fish. You should also let it run. A lot of people like to use conventional for eels so they control with thumb and then flip it out of free spool. this is allows the eel to drift with he current. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonsLax48 Posted May 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Im looking at an ancient mariner surf reel or ill buy a used abu ambassador in the off season. Until then I have a few options for rods but the size eels I had were best suited for the 9ft. Could have been smaller bass. I know when Ive caught fish during that stage of the tide on plugs they were smaller. The flip usually brings in the big fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daves745t Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 I agree with the above. Small fish. My experience is that when a good fish hammers an eel, that's exactly what they're doing, hammering it - no mistaking that thump. Every year, the first time I fish eels that season, I start wondering whether I'm getting hit (it's almost always the eel's swimming action or getting stuck in the rocks), until I do and then I'm like, "oh right, that's what it feels like!" When I get that THUMP, I drop the tip to the water wait for the slack to be taken up by the fish (we're talking like a couple of seconds max) and cross its eyes with a hard hook set. I haven't missed many that way and I also fish a tighter drag when eeling. The only time I let it run is when I'm fishing circle hooks. Just b/c you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD....(what you do DOES make a difference - be accountable)BigWave Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonsLax48 Posted May 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 6 mins ago, daves745t said: I agree with the above. Small fish. My experience is that when a good fish hammers an eel, that's exactly what they're doing, hammering it - no mistaking that thump. Every year, the first time I fish eels that season, I start wondering whether I'm getting hit (it's almost always the eel's swimming action or getting stuck in the rocks), until I do and then I'm like, "oh right, that's what it feels like!" When I get that THUMP, I drop the tip to the water wait for the slack to be taken up by the fish (we're talking like a couple of seconds max) and cross its eyes with a hard hook set. I haven't missed many that way and I also fish a tighter drag when eeling. The only time I let it run is when I'm fishing circle hooks. Good advice... I thought maybe the weather system could have made them hesitant to engulf a whole eel. Ive certainly felt the sharp taps before so Ill continue to look for them. The drags locked when eeling. Any advice on hook type? I feel like I should switch to an inline hook rather than the offset octopus that ive been using. The Salty Fisherman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kooky Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 1 hour ago, ChumSlickJon said: Small bass usually don't get hooked. Big bass don't require a long wait. what he said DragonsLax48 1 ^^ I didnt even notice it didnt get censored, I guess anal is acceptable in SOL.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazybellringer Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 i use a hook similar to this. i like them to be a thicker hook. I also use a 1oz rubber core in line sinker. once you hook the eel you can jiggle your rod tip to keep the eel from balling up. this is the fish you were after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIC34 Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Yep, Gami live bait hooks. I prefer the 7/0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goudacuda Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 what conditions do you guys look for to throw eels. I have one spot in mind that I think I can do well in with eels but I've never thrown them before so I have co clue what to look for conditions wise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonsLax48 Posted May 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 That hook looks a bit thicker. Thicker is more better. The linline sinker would not have worked in this spot but thatd be a good trick to get the eels down faster in some inlets i fish. And atleast I wasnt getting boofished Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazybellringer Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 (edited) Back in 2011 i learned to eel with that technique at the canal. Stewie taught me a lot that night. Derrick had given me tips well before that but the inline sinker and the thicker hooks were Stewie. I was lucky back then because i fished the canal 2010, 2011, 2012 a lot. When i used to roll with the ditch trolls those guys taught me a lot about fishing and most of the techniques i was able to use in NJ. Edited May 14, 2019 by crazybellringer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChumSlickJon Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 My, has your tummy changed over the years. DragonsLax48 1 Delete from SOL_Users where username like 'wasy','Seal'.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazybellringer Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 8 mins ago, Goudacuda said: what conditions do you guys look for to throw eels. I have one spot in mind that I think I can do well in with eels but I've never thrown them before so I have co clue what to look for conditions wise I don't usually use live eels in nj because the Blue fish are in most of my spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazybellringer Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 1 min ago, ChumSlickJon said: My, has your tummy changed over the years. I was skinny once. Probably 205 in that picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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