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LURE USE
(How to use Eddystone Eel Lures)
HOW TO USE EDDYSTONE EEL LURES:
The most asked question is how to use Eddystone Eel
Lures?
1. How do I attach an Eddystone Lure to the leader?
2. Boat Trolling
3. Slow retrieval of the lure in Tidal & Windage
situations. Great for wreck fishing.
4. Casting and slow retrieval from the shore
5. Combination rig for wreck or reef fishing
6. Other uses
1. ATTACHING EDDYSTONE LURES TO THE LEADER.
Although this may seem obvious to some, the
solution may not be obvious to those who have not seen our lures
before. For Eddystone Lures No 1 to No 5 this is what you do.
Remove the hook from the body of the Lure. Thread the leader either
through the mouth of the lure or you may thread the leader via the
hook hole in the body of the lure. In either case you should end up
with the arrangement as shown in our picture below. Once the hook is
tied to the leader feed the hook back in to the body of the lure
while pulling on the leader. Please make sure the hook is set
straight otherwise you may get spinning of the lure when pulled
through the water.
2. BOAT TROLLING
Probably one of the
favourite methods used by Bass fisherman
in European waters is to use the lures in trolling mode. I prefer to use
fluorocarbon leader in which is inserted one or two swivels to prevent twisting
of the leader. It is
essential to ensure the hook in the Eddystone Lure is set in line with the body
of the lure to prevent the lure spinning. Always check the lure as soon as possible after
a missed strike. A suitable ball or barrel weight is attached in front of the
leader on the main line and secured using a rubber band, some 10 to 20 yards
from the leader swivel.
Your now ready to fish.
Use of a Paravane may aid in getting the lure to the depth you favour. Usually
60 to 100 yards of main line are let off before trolling proceeds. Remember to
set your drag. For the most effective action trolling speed should be about 2 knots.
This method of fishing is also the favourite for commercial Bass
fishermen in the UK, France, Portugal and Spain. Sometimes they
daisy chain six or more lures together.
3. SLOW RETRIEVAL OF THE LURE IN TIDAL OR WINDAGE SITUATIONS
This is my favourite fishing rig for both wreck & reef
fishing and I have captured countless fine specimens using this method over the
last 30 years. I prefer to put two swivels in the leader to prevent twisting of
the leader thus ensuring the lure always swims correctly. Use a sea boom in this
rig to prevent the leader tangling with the main line when being lowered to the
seabed. Try our Eddystone Flying Collar Sea Booms, they are available in two sizes and are
virtually indestructible. One of the advantages of using a sea boom is that the
sinker can be quickly changed if it proves to be not the correct weight.
Lower the rig quickly to the seabed being careful not to snag
the reef or wreck. Slowly retrieve the rig with a slow reeling motion and count
the number of reel turns up so that when a strike is recorded you know what
depth the fish appear to be at. If you get a strike just continue reeling slowly
and do not strike the fish. It will catch itself using this method. Oh, remember
once again to set your drag before fishing.
If you get a strike, but the fish is missed, continue reeling
slowly as the fish may return for a second bite.
4. CASTING AND SLOW RETRIEVAL FROM THE SHORE
This is the method to be used from either the shore or a boat. A
1 oz. barrel weight is needed to give the rig some weight to achieve a
reasonable casting distance. A short leader is used of about two feet. Eddystone
Eel Lure size No 4. or size No 5. should be selected. Once cast the lure
should be allowed to sink and then slowly retrieved so the lure can exhibit it's
swimming motion. Should you get a strike simply keep on retrieving slowly and
the fish will hook itself. Remember always to set the drag before casting. Our
larger Eddystone Eel lures are not suitable for casting due to wind resistance.
5. COMBINATION RIG FOR WRECK OR REEF FISHING (KILLER GEAR)
Eddystone Eels can be used in a combination rig for wreck or
reef fishing where shoals of fish are suspected to be. The combination rig
should be constructed using dropper loops in the leader three feet apart. The
lures should be attached to these on a short snood.
The rig should be dropped
to the sea bed bottom take care not to snag either the wreck or reef. It can be
retrieved at either speed or in a slower but precise reeling speed pattern until
a strike is achieved. If no strike is achieved the whole procedure should be
repeated again. Always check your echo sounder when using this rig to ensure
there are fish to be caught. I prefer the method of speed reeling. A large
chrome pirk of the Norwegian design is also favoured by myself instead of a lead
weight. This method should only be used when you can see shoals of fish on the
echo sounder and is primarily used in wreck fishing only!
6. OTHER USES
Eddystone Lures may be used as fish attractants for large
species such as Tuna & Marlin. They may be daisy changed behind a
bird etc. The larger No 1 & No 2 Eddystone Eel Lures however
regularly catch Tuna of their own accord and are now used in the
Florida Keys. The desired color of all Tuna anglers is BLACK,
however I suggest you try OTHER LURE COLORS as well.
Eddystone Eel Lures available here in the
USA
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