View Full Version : Eel advice wanted
I am going to be having a go at catching a decent eel or two this summer. I have decided to have a go at a venue that will hopefully produce a good eel or two. I have a couple of problems though; The Lake has a very big population of crays also a fairly large head of carp. It is a fairly shallow lake around 5-7 ft for most of it a few reed beds dotted around the margin and an island with plenty of cover over hanging the water. I think these areas of cover will probably be my starting point, my big problem is bait. I would imagine any small deadbait will be hammered by the crays in no time and a bunch of worms would probably go the same way. Anybody fished a venue with these sorts of problems ? If so how do you get round them, or should I just not bother as it will be almost impossible. Any advise would be great.
Definitely bother - no doubt the eels have been feasting on the Crays and could be a whacker in there.
Best best would be to use small deadbaits, suspended off the bottom so that the crays can't get to them. Have a look for something called the Dyson Rig - very low resistance too, used by many predator anglers.
Paul_the_Bailiff
08-07-2010, 09:32
You could try both baits popped up 6 inches plus, but I reckon ronnie and reggy will still get them I'm afraid.
The little swines will still get em, they'll pull them down and ruin your rig in the process. They pull them down from 2ft+ on the Ouse, but Dyson Rigs combat the problem.
carpywire
08-07-2010, 09:37
where i fish there is eels and all the others that can get ya bait but some reason if i use salmon shrimp and prawn i dont get hassled by em :confused: but for some reason the eels luv em
The_Saint
08-07-2010, 09:42
in last week anglers mail, there was an article which showed the dyson rig being used on a water with crayfish present, and the crays could not get the bait.
Paul_the_Bailiff
08-07-2010, 09:49
The little swines will still get em, they'll pull them down and ruin your rig in the process. They pull them down from 2ft+ on the Ouse, but Dyson Rigs combat the problem.
Indeed, a sunk paternoster should stop them.
There is a diagram of the rig shown here...
http://www.hooklinks.co.uk/pike/navigation2/pikeframe.html?=dysonrig.html
Its a bit complicated to tie first off - but try to use polyballs or subfloats that are just buoyant enough to support the weight of the other components of the rig and bait being used.
If the floats are too buoyant it can create resistance to a taking fish.
Dyson rig?
So whats the big difference to the sunk paternosters weve been using on the broads for the last decade or so? Probably even longer than that too.
Paul_the_Bailiff
08-07-2010, 10:19
The float is below the bait as opposed to above. Similar in set to the beach caster rig.
Dyson rig?
So whats the big difference to the sunk paternosters weve been using on the broads for the last decade or so? Probably even longer than that too.
You say it like this is a new trendy rig? Unlike the new carp rigs that are invented every month for the mags, the Colin Dyson Rig has been round since the 80's.
Surface fished worms? had a few eels when using this technique for cats
The_Saint
08-07-2010, 11:10
Surface fished worms? had a few eels when using this technique for cats
i have targeted eels with db's suspended 6" under he surface in very weedy waters and seen the swirl as the eel attacks the bait before the indicator moves, especially at dawn. all very exciting!
You say it like this is a new trendy rig? Unlike the new carp rigs that are invented every month for the mags, the Colin Dyson Rig has been round since the 80's.
Ive just never heard of it called a Dyson rig, was quite prepared for it to have been around longer than me, just failed to see why something thats been in common use for yonks had been given the name of a hoover?
There was a rig called the VB rig then the angler who adapted that was called Colin Dyson... therefore the "Dyson" Rig was formed.
Probably around before them fancy all singing and dancing hoovers too... ;)
The Dyson rig looks a very interesting way to suspend the bait and may make it far more tricky for the crays to get at it.
Thanks for the advice so far much appreciated
In this week's Angling Times there's a guy who had five or six big eels in a session to 6lb+, taken on bunches of lobs suspended just below the surface, even in 1-2ft of water.
simple as it gets....
white.magic
08-07-2010, 20:50
simple as it gets but you'd struggle to find a more dedicated angler...
Dyson rig?
So whats the big difference to the sunk paternosters weve been using on the broads for the last decade or so? Probably even longer than that too.
The main difference, when the Dyson rig is adapted for eel fishing, is that it is completely free running. The diagram in the link is fine for piking, but needs some modification to function as a successful eel rig. We usually dispense with the uptrace unless using sizeable lives, and use a ceramic run ring instead of the plastic job. The addition of a cork ball below the stop bead and below the runring helps reduce resitance and support the weight of swivel and run ring etc when the tension is removed from the rig following a take. A 12" length of thin diameter,hard silicon tube on mainline is useful, as the bait and lead seperate on casting, and you will feel the run ring "click" over the end of the silicon when you tighten up, guaranteeing that you are not tangled. I've found that the rig tangles less if the bait hangs alongside the float on casting, and ignore the advice re. making the link twixt float and runring 6" longer than the trace; it should be the same length as trace. Use 20lb amnesia for the float link, with lighter line for the "rotten bottom" and adjust the length of the "rotten bottom" to vary the distance that the bait is presented off bottom. A big float is best, as you need the float link to sit as near to vertical in the water when the rig is tensioned. The size of float makes no difference to resitance felt by a taking fish as the lead and float stay put. Big leads are the order of the day, at least 3oz, 4oz if fishing at range with drift. You do not want the lead moving about on a take. There's a lot of info in posts on the forum here: ww.nationalanguillaclub.co.uk[/url], together with pics of fish caught on the rigs. Worth registering if you're serious about eels.
I've been doing a fair bit of eeling lately, and i keep getting screaming runs during the night, which i strike quite early (worried about deep hooking) and dont connect with anything. I've connected with 2 out of maybe 10 or 12 runs ?
I've been fishing with double lobs on a size 4 wide gape barbless using a simple free running paternoster.
Any suggestions ?
soupdragon
22-07-2010, 21:58
some eel anglers might say thats par for the course :eek:
Paul_the_Bailiff
23-07-2010, 09:01
I've been doing a fair bit of eeling lately, and i keep getting screaming runs during the night, which i strike quite early (worried about deep hooking) and dont connect with anything. I've connected with 2 out of maybe 10 or 12 runs ?
I've been fishing with double lobs on a size 4 wide gape barbless using a simple free running paternoster.
Any suggestions ?
Try a korda/Fox maggot clip on a longish knotless knot hair with two lobs on. It could afford you a little more time before striking.
Karmalite
23-07-2010, 09:08
Does anyone know if you can safely use circle hooks for Eels?
rhornegold
23-07-2010, 16:56
Yep
And a form of safety rig using a modified Dyson rig works well with them.
Bob
Im no eel angler... But they are a peril on the lake i fish... Like a plauge...
Fishmeal is what they crave in our place...
If i was to become an eel angler, it would be fishmeal id want to be using for the giants... It draws them from all over the lake...
Wet Dog food is also a winner...
Size 4 hooks-blimey!!! Try barbless 7s with 4 half lob sections tight up against the back of the hook on a hair, using a leger stop to retain worms. http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/marksalt/111_1184.jpgEven broad headed eels have small mouths, and a size 4 is way too big. A deep hooked eel on a small barbless hook stands a chance: a deep hooked eel on a size 4 stands no chance at all. All the vital organs are just behind the head, and are easily pierced by a big hook. Quick strike is vital, as soon as you can get to the rod. If you miss it, get the bait back out there, and the eel will have another go providing it's not felt the hook.
As for fishmeal baits for eels, then yes, a few get caught on them, but they prefer a worm or fish bait. Just think how few get caught on fishmeal boilies compared to the number that are out there. Missed runs are part of eel fishing. Better to miss it than deep hook it!
Cheers for the advice fellas, I like the idea of hair rigging lobs mfs 1 thanks.
Agreed, I would rather miss a run than deep hook a fish (especially eels, considering they are very special).
I think you've got a bit confused over the hooks im using though, im not using carp hooks e.g Korda or ESP, a size 4 of them is bloody massive. I've been using the Drennan carbon specimen hooks (barbless) which are quite a bit smaller.
Just got back from last night eeling, turns out all the knocks and quick runs were little Perch lol. I did manage a proper eel though ;) , which was hooked nicely in the bottom lip :thumbs:
Cheers
Cheers for the advice fellas, I like the idea of hair rigging lobs mfs 1 thanks.
Agreed, I would rather miss a run than deep hook a fish (especially eels, considering they are very special).
I think you've got a bit confused over the hooks im using though, im not using carp hooks e.g Korda or ESP, a size 4 of them is bloody massive. I've been using the Drennan carbon specimen hooks (barbless) which are quite a bit smaller.
Just got back from last night eeling, turns out all the knocks and quick runs were little Perch lol. I did manage a proper eel though ;) , which was hooked nicely in the bottom lip :thumbs:
Cheers
Well done on your eel. Beware the little knocks and short takes. Often, if twitched back, and a bit of touch legering employed, they turn into 6lb eels!!
dont neglect live baits either - or even using crayfish sections.
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