The American eel has one of the most remarkable life cycles in the animal world, spawning far out in the Sargasso Sea and migrating back to our rivers, but to the striper angler it is simply this: the best big-fish bait there is. When trophy striped bass are hunting after dark, nothing tempts them like a live eel.
What they are
Eels are snakelike, catadromous fish (they live in fresh and brackish water and spawn at sea), with smooth, slippery skin and a long dorsal fin. Anglers fish live eels in the 10 to 16 inch range, a perfect big-bass mouthful.
How anglers use them
The classic method has its own page, see striped bass on live eels. In short: drift or slow-troll a live eel through a rip, along structure, or in the current after dark, and hold on. Eel-imitating soft plastics (like a slug-style bait) work by day too. The trick is keeping the slippery baits lively and hooked so they swim naturally.
Tip Keep eels cold and they stay manageable. Chilled eels are sluggish and far easier to handle and hook; warm eels turn into a knotted, slippery mess. A little ice in the bucket makes eeling a lot more pleasant.