Striped Bass on Live Eels
Conventional Rod & Reel
When drifting live eels for striped bass in fast currents, or on fast drifts when sinkers are needed, we recommend a conventional rod and reel combo consisting of a Shimano Torium 20 reel on a Tallus conventional rod (model TLC-70MHA). We recommend loading the conventional reel with 30lb Berkley Big Game which is attached to a 5ft length of 30-50lb Berkley Big Game Fluorocarbon leader using a #8 Mustad Rolling Swivel. The rig is completed with an 6/0 Mustad (92553BL) Ultrapoint Beak Bait style hook. An egg sinker just large enough to allow the angler to keep the eel just off the bottom should be used.
Spinning Rod & Reel
For catching striped bass on live eels when fishing in conditions where an eel can swim to the bottom unassisted (slow drifts, shallow water, or when stemming) we recommend a spinning rod and reel combo consisting of a Penn Conquer 7000 on a 7′ Penn Torque spinning rod (model TG1530S70). We recommend loading the spinning reel with 20lb Berkley Big Game which is attached to a 5ft length of 30-50lb Berkley Big Game Fluorocarbon leader using a #10 Mustad Rolling Swivel. The rig is completed with an 6/0 Mustad 92553BL Ultrapoint Beak Bait style hook
Hooks for Live Eels
Both rigs are completed with a 6/0 Mustad Ultrapoint Beak Bait style hook. This is an incredibly sharp hook and is the most effective hook when using live eels.
Rigging a Live Eel
Whenever fishing with live eels it is important to have a big supply of dry towels. Take an old big towel and cut it into many small towels and put them in a dry place. Once the towels get wet and covered with eel slime they need to be washed and dried before they can be used again. Grab the eel just behind the head and put the hook through the lower lip and out through the upper lip. Be careful not to set the hook too far back or you may kill the eel.
The Right Bottom
The best spots for targeted trophy striped bass with live eels are rocky bottoms, boulder fields, ledges, and drop offs. Use your sonar unit to locate the best spots and hopefully to see some fish on those spots. When fishing in strong current or wind assisted drift it is critical to start the drift well above the targeted bottom. This gives the eel a chance a swim down to the right depth and be in the hit zone as you drift across your target.
