| Eel and eelskin lures are used mostly in saltwater | | | | while the other end isgiven an eye or a slot to |
| to catch suchfish as striped bass, bluefish, snook, | | | | which a line can be tied. |
| and marlin. The mostdifficult part about making eel | | | | You also need some 6/0, 7/0, 8/0 or 9/0 hooks, |
| and eelskin lures will often beobtaining the eels | | | | again depending onthe size of the eel. The larger |
| themselves. The eel usually used is the so- called | | | | the eel, the larger the hooksrequired. Light tackle |
| "common eel" found from Labrador to Brazil along | | | | and lines need smaller hooks than heavierfishing |
| the Atlantic | | | | tackle. The sizes of hooks range from 10 (tiny) |
| Coast. | | | | down to 1 |
| The females reach a large size and live in | | | | (small) and then back up from 1/0, 2/0 (medium) |
| freshwater rivers,streams, and lakes. The males | | | | through 8/0 (large)and all the way up to 24/0 |
| are much smaller and live in saltwaterbays, | | | | (great white shark size). |
| sounds, and tidal creeks. These are the ones | | | | Steel is usually the base metal from which hooks |
| usually used forbait. Live eels are caught with eel | | | | are made but thereare also other types of steel |
| pots baited with dead fish,small baitfish, crushed | | | | including high carbon, blued, black,bronzed, |
| clams, or crabs. | | | | cadmium, nickel-plated, stainless, etc. The |
| These pots, which are similar to minnow traps, | | | | O'Shaughnessypattern of hook is usually used for |
| are wire cages withfunnel entrances on both ends. | | | | rigging eels, but some anglersprefer the Siwash or |
| The eels enter through thefunnel holes, but once | | | | salmon pattern and still others use Eagle |
| inside have trouble finding their way out. | | | | Clawhooks. Whichever type of hook you use, it |
| Live or frozen eels can also be purchased from | | | | should have a ringed eye. |
| many fish markets,bait dealers, and fishing tackle | | | | Finally, you need some linen or nylon fishing line |
| stores. The size will depend on thefishing tackle | | | | testing from 45to 60 pounds. But more |
| you use and the fish you want to catch. Small | | | | importantly, you should pay more attention |
| eelsfrom 8 to 12 in. long are best with light tackle | | | | toyour fishing leader which is potentially the |
| such as spinningoutfits; the larger eels from 12 to | | | | weakest link. Moreinformation on making fishing |
| 20 in. are used with heaviersurf outfits and for | | | | leaders can be found at . |
| trolling for big fish. | | | | Keith Lee is a practical, do-it-yourself angler and |
| To rig an eel you will need a long needle such as | | | | owns , an info-packed website on makingfishing |
| an upholsterer'sneedle. It should be anywhere | | | | lures. Learn how to make high-quality fishing lures |
| from 12 to 14 in. long. You can alsomake your | | | | at and use it as yourtrusted guide on home made |
| own needle, using a brass or copper rod about 1 | | | | fishing lures. |
| 8 in. indiameter. One end should be filed to a point | | | | |