I've been consistently catching bass over the last few weeks now. It seems that the jinx was lifted since my last post. The only trouble lately has been the number of missed fish on eels. The bite is there and then bow to the cow,wait for the line to come tight and strike hard. I'm only hooking up with about 60% of the hits. My numbers have improved since sharpening the hooks. Tried letting them run a little too. The rig is a 3 by 6" fish finder with a 5/0 short shank hook. This rig is sold in a popular bait shop. I just add 6" of mono for the sinker. Could this hook be too small? Is this normal? I've done most fishing the last 3 years with clams and no troubles hooking up. Misses are frustrating. So...what can I do to improve here? You guys can probably save me some time and fish.
Too many missed hits
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3,953 Posts
Make your own rig
Hey ron I never use a store bought rig and I don't think any sharpie will either. The key is to have good stuff and sharp hooks. If you look back there is a post on the home made fish finder rig. its cheap and easy to make and will help you in your goal. Also get a good hook .Gama , owner, are good hooks out of the pack
here is the link for you
Fishfinder rig
Hey ron I never use a store bought rig and I don't think any sharpie will either. The key is to have good stuff and sharp hooks. If you look back there is a post on the home made fish finder rig. its cheap and easy to make and will help you in your goal. Also get a good hook .Gama , owner, are good hooks out of the pack
here is the link for you
Fishfinder rig
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2,756 Posts
I think your main problem is your hook is too small
You need have some room between the point and the shaft of the hook (gap) so the bait you are using does not choke the hook and the hook just skips along the fishs mouth with out
with out hooking up.
For eeling both of the shore and drifting on a boat I use and 8/0 4x octopuss Gami Hook
With this hook I use a fish finder but I don't let the fish take line.
I feel the tap I lock up the reel and when the line tightens up I lift up like lifting on a fluke the Cirle hook does the rest of the job.
Do not set the hook with a jerk you will just pull out the hook
A circle due to its design needs to slid down the fishs mouth till it reachs its lip where it turns and locks into the lip of the fish the fish will do this as it moves off with your eel
You need have some room between the point and the shaft of the hook (gap) so the bait you are using does not choke the hook and the hook just skips along the fishs mouth with out
with out hooking up.
For eeling both of the shore and drifting on a boat I use and 8/0 4x octopuss Gami Hook
With this hook I use a fish finder but I don't let the fish take line.
I feel the tap I lock up the reel and when the line tightens up I lift up like lifting on a fluke the Cirle hook does the rest of the job.
Do not set the hook with a jerk you will just pull out the hook
A circle due to its design needs to slid down the fishs mouth till it reachs its lip where it turns and locks into the lip of the fish the fish will do this as it moves off with your eel
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27,335 Posts
BASS TOO SMALL???
I've had similar problems from time to time & have found that the reason I'm not landing them is that I'm playing with small schoolies who aren't able to swallow the eel. They're linda sucking on it (somehow that sounds obscene).
I get a pretty decent pull - even a fight - & then - "plink" the eel pulls free. When I "downsize" the eel all of a sudden - I'm landing 10 to 18" bass.
I've had similar problems from time to time & have found that the reason I'm not landing them is that I'm playing with small schoolies who aren't able to swallow the eel. They're linda sucking on it (somehow that sounds obscene).
I get a pretty decent pull - even a fight - & then - "plink" the eel pulls free. When I "downsize" the eel all of a sudden - I'm landing 10 to 18" bass.
Togmaster, The rig I used was similar to yours except for the hook and the plastic piece instead of the swivel. I'll try it with the sinker swivel. It looks less expensive than buying fish finder rigs and I'll have sharper hooks. What size hook would you recommend for drifting eels in the inlets? I am thinking about using 40lb mono for a leader. Hopefully this will not be too light. It is enjoyable to set the hook on a fish so circle hooks will not be in the tackle box for now. Wader, maybe they were small bass..who knows. I haven't been as vigilant changing sinker weight lately. When its cold the hands like staying in the gloves . Been using 5-6 oz . Would this create belly in the line making it harder to set the hook? Maybe the 3 way swivel is better but they always seem to tangle.
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3,953 Posts
Size hook
I know alot of guys use the octupus 6/0 to 8/0 which is fine. But when eeling I like a live bait hook similar to the ones I tuna fish with. Have better hook ups. I use a 5/0 to a 6/0 . Remember a bass hits the head of the eel first. So i find the live bait hook to grab better when the bass will in hale the eel. I even have dropped to 4/0 's. Big is not always the answer. My suggestion is try the range of sizes till you find oner that works best.
I know alot of guys use the octupus 6/0 to 8/0 which is fine. But when eeling I like a live bait hook similar to the ones I tuna fish with. Have better hook ups. I use a 5/0 to a 6/0 . Remember a bass hits the head of the eel first. So i find the live bait hook to grab better when the bass will in hale the eel. I even have dropped to 4/0 's. Big is not always the answer. My suggestion is try the range of sizes till you find oner that works best.
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