When fishing for striped bass with live eels, anglers typically use either conventional or spinning tackle depending on conditions. In strong currents or fast drifts where sinkers are required, a 6’6″–7′ conventional rod with 30 lb braid and a 30–50 lb fluorocarbon leader is recommended, using a 5/0–6/0 circle hook and an egg sinker to keep the eel just above the bottom. In slower drifts or shallow water where the eel can reach the bottom naturally, a 7′ spinning rod with similar line and leader setup works best.
Circle hooks are strongly advised because eels are easily swallowed and often attract undersized fish; circle hooks help reduce injury and allow safer releases using a dehooker without netting the fish. 30 lb or heavier braided or fused line is recommended for better depth control and to handle large fish. When a fish takes the eel, anglers should keep the reel in free spool and allow the fish to turn before engaging the reel, as the circle hook sets itself.
Handling eels requires dry towels for grip. Hook the eel through the lower lip and out the upper lip, being careful not to hook too far back and kill the bait.
The best locations for trophy striped bass are rocky bottoms, boulder fields, ledges, and drop-offs. Using sonar to locate these areas and starting the drift up-current of the target structure allows the eel time to reach the correct depth and enter the strike zone.
Conventional Rod & Reel
When drifting live eels for striped bass in fast currents, or on fast drifts when sinkers are needed, we recommend a 6’6″ to 7′ conventional rod with a fast to extra-fast action.. We recommend loading the conventional reel with 30lb braid attached to a 5ft length of 30-50lb fluorocarbon leader using a 75lb barrel swivel. The rig is completed with a 5/0 or 6/0 offset style circle 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 stripers 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 7′ spinning rod and a spinning reel loaded with with 30lb fused line attached to a 5ft length of 30-50lb fluorocarbon leader using a 75lb barrel swivel. The rig is completed with a 5/0 or 6/0 offset style circle hook.
Hooks for Live Eels
Whether using spinning or conventional tackle we strongly suggest using circle hooks. Eels are a very easy bait to swallow and indiscriminately target fish of all sizes. A typically day will see many undersized fish brought to the boat. The best way to release these fish is by using a dehooker at boat-side (do not net them). This will greatly reduce the stress on the fish and ensure the best chance of a quick recovery.
Braided and Fused Lines
We recommend using 30lb or heavier braided or fused lines. The thin diameter of these lines will improve the presentation by allowing the eel to dive deep quickly and stay deep. however, it is critical that the angler leaves the reel in free spool at all times to allow the striper to grab the eel and turn away before closing the bail or putting the reel in gear. No hook set is required as the circle hook should set itself in the corner of the fishes mouth. Using lines lighter than 30lb is a mistake. Bigger fish may be impossible to stop and the duration of the fight will create additional stress on the fish.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two distinct methods for targeting striped bass on live eels: conventional tackle and spinning tackle. Conventional tackle is heavier and easier to fish, suited for fast currents, while spinning tackle offers a lighter, more natural presentation and often outperforms conventional tackle, especially when targeting larger fish.
For fast currents or fast drifts that require sinkers, a 6’6″ to 7′ conventional rod with fast to extra-fast action is recommended. Use a conventional reel loaded with 30lb braided line, coupled with a 5ft fluorocarbon leader of 30-50lb, a 75lb barrel swivel, and a 5/0 or 6/0 offset circle hook, along with an appropriately sized egg sinker.
Spinning tackle is ideal when fishing conditions allow the eel to swim to the bottom unassisted, such as slow drifts, shallow water, or when stemming the current. A 7′ spinning rod with a spinning reel loaded with 30lb fused line and the same leader and hook setup as conventional tackle is recommended.
Circle hooks are recommended because eels are easily swallowed and attract fish of all sizes indiscriminately. Circle hooks reduce injury by hooking fish in the mouth corner, making it easier to release undersized fish quickly and with less stress, especially when using a dehooker instead of a net.
Anglers should use braided or fused lines of 30lb test or heavier. These lines have a thinner diameter, which improves bait presentation by allowing the eel to dive deep quickly. It is essential to keep the reel in free spool to let the fish take the bait before setting the hook, which will set itself with circle hooks.
To rig a live eel, grab it just behind the head and hook it through the lower lip exiting out the upper lip, being careful not to insert the hook too far back to avoid killing the eel. It's important to have plenty of dry towels to keep your hands and equipment clean from slime and to maintain the eel's health.
The most productive spots include rocky bottoms, boulder fields, ledges, and drop-offs. These structures hold large striped bass. Using sonar to locate fish and starting your drift above the targeted bottom helps the eel reach the ideal depth and increases your chances of success.