Maya Ellison
Sand eels are a popular bait for fishing, and they can be fished using a variety of methods, including raking and jigging. Raking for sand eels is an art that involves applying pressure with a rake to retrieve them from the sand. The physical motion involves using one hand to push upwards on the lower part of the rake, while the other hand pushes down on the upper part. This method can be used to collect sand eels during the summer on Cape Cod. Jigging, on the other hand, involves using metal or soft-plastic lures to mimic the natural movements of sand eels. The effectiveness of jigging and other methods depends on factors such as time of day, water depth, and the behaviour of the sand eels. When using plastic lures, it is important to fish between one and three feet off the bottom, and to vary the retrieve speed to imitate the movement of sand eels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to fish for sand eels | Summer, particularly May and June |
| Location | Back-bay marshes, Cape Cod, Buzzards Bay, New Jersey, Long Island Sound |
| Tools | Metal lures, soft-plastic lures, epoxy jigs, jig heads, hooks, sand eel rakes |
| Technique | Cast down-drift at a 45-degree angle, retrieve slowly, vary retrieval speed and style |
| Plastic eel positioning | 1-3 feet off the bottom, midwater depths of 15-30 feet |
| Plastic eel size | 4-inch, 4.5-inch, 4.6-inch, 6.6-inch, 7-inch, 9-inch |
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What You'll Learn
Using a rake to retrieve sand eels from the sand
Raking is an effective method for retrieving sand eels from the sand. Sand eels are thin-bodied and can be found in shoals in the sand. They are a popular bait option for fishing, and raking allows you to collect them directly from the beach. The best time to rake for sand eels is 1.5 hours before and after low tide. Look for areas where terns are diving, as this may indicate the presence of sand eels.
To use a rake effectively, hold it with both hands, applying pressure in a specific way. The lower hand should apply pressure in a downward thrust, while the upper hand applies pressure in an upward thrust. This motion helps to dislodge sand eels from the sand. Once you have raked up some sand eels, you can place them in a container with sand and cover them. With care, they can be kept alive for several days.
When raking sand eels, it is important to use the right equipment. A specialised sand eel rake is ideal. The Rib rake, made on Cape Cod by a mother-daughter team, is recommended by some. Additionally, choosing the right location is crucial. Sand eels are more prevalent in areas with sandy beaches and bays. They are also more commonly found during certain times of the year, such as May and June, and during the summer months in back-bay marshes.
After collecting sand eels, they can be used as bait for fishing. Sand eel baits are typically made of soft plastic and are designed to mimic the natural movements of sand eels. The Hogy Sand Eel is a popular option, and it is recommended to use Classic Weighted Swimbait hooks with this type of bait. When fishing with sand eels, consider the time of day and water depth, as these factors influence the behaviour of both sand eels and the fish you are targeting.
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The best lures and bait to mimic sand eels
Sand eels are pencil-shaped with a pointy snout, a tapered small tail, and a slim body. They are predominantly silver-sided with a silver belly and a tan-olive back. They range in size from 1-3" to 7-10", with the most common size being 4-6".
When it comes to choosing the best lures and bait to mimic sand eels, there are several options available:
Soft Plastics
Long, slender, soft plastic eels are effective replacements for real sand eels and can be used in a wide range of applications. Soft plastics such as the Berkley Gulp! Sand Eel or Tsunami's Holographic Sand Eel are designed to mimic the look, feel, and scent of real sand eels, making them irresistible to fish. Soft plastics are most effective when fished between one and three feet off the bottom, and can be used with jig heads or weighted hooks to get down into the strike zone quickly.
Jigs
Jigs are a popular choice for mimicking sand eels, as they can be used to imitate the fast and erratic movements of these elusive creatures. The Hogy Sand Eel Jig is one of the most realistic sand eel jigs available, with a rough side reflective scale finish and large lazer eye. It casts well and has a nice flutter fall, making it effective for both casting and jigging. The Coltsniper Jig is another option, designed for long casts with plenty of action. When using jigs, techniques such as ""stop and go" or "slow and low" can be effective in triggering strikes.
Metals
Metal lures such as the No. 4 Deadly Dick can be used to mimic the natural movements of sand eels by letting them quickly drop to the bottom and reeling them up at a moderate pace. Surf casters often use metal lures such as the Needlefish or Ava jigs, which can be dragged along the sandy bottom to garner bites.
Plugs and Weighted Soft Plastics
Classic plugs and various weighted soft plastics, such as the Boone Needlefish, can also be effective in mimicking sand eels. The Tuna Harness Jig from Hogy Lures, which combines a jig head with a soft-plastic tail, is another option that can be used to target a variety of game fish.
When choosing lures and bait to mimic sand eels, it's important to consider factors such as the time of day, water depth, and the behaviour of sand eels in different conditions. By understanding the characteristics of sand eels and their movements, anglers can more effectively match the hatch and increase their fishing success.
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Where to find sand eels
Sand eels are common from Nova Scotia to North Carolina. They are an important food source for striped bass from spring to fall. They can be found in the shallow back bays of New Jersey and Long Island Sound during the summer, and in Buzzards Bay in May and June. They are also found in the Cape, except for the south shore from Falmouth to Harwich.
Sand eels are an important food source for many fish species, including tuna, bonito, albies, stripers, blues, and bass. They are sought after by anglers and fly-rodders due to their effectiveness in attracting larger fish. Sand eels are known to congregate in big clouds during the autumn, attracting the attention of charter captains.
In terms of specific locations, Ocean County and Long Beach Island are popular destinations for fly-rodders in search of sand eels. Additionally, Capt. Bill Hoblitzell of Outback Charters mentions that beach replenishment efforts have impacted the presence of sand eels in some areas, causing them to venture less inshore.
When it comes to finding sand eels within a body of water, they are typically found in locations with sandy bottoms. They have the ability to burrow themselves in the sand, using their sharp pointed snouts and elongated bodies for concealment. This behavior can make them more challenging to locate, but their preference for sandy habitats provides a helpful indication of their presence.
The time of year can also play a role in finding sand eels. During the late spring and early summer, they are more likely to be found in open water, jigging deeper, or along the back side of the Cape and Chatham. As the season transitions to late summer and fall, they tend to decrease in size and exhibit lighter coloration. By mid-fall, smaller sizes of around 4.5 inches are typically used around the Islands.
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How to fish with plastic sand eels
Sand eels are a popular bait for fishing, especially in Cape Cod Bay and Monomoy Shoals. They are typically found in locations with sand, such as back-bay marshes during the summer months and offshore as winter sets in. When sand eels migrate inshore, it is a great opportunity for fishing as they are a dominant forage.
To fish with plastic sand eels, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the time of day and water depth are important factors. Shallow water is often where big bass are found at night, so throwing large soft-plastic eels in these areas can be effective. When fishing in midwater depths of 15 to 30 feet, a "seek-and-destroy" mindset is recommended, where you identify a specific spot, rig your bait on a jighead, and cast beyond the target to get into the strike zone. The appropriate jighead weight depends on the depth and orientation of the structure you are fishing, so it is crucial to understand the nuances of your chosen location.
When using a 1/2-ounce jighead in shallow water, cast out and pause briefly before beginning a slow retrieval. If you feel the bottom, lift your rod tip and reel faster. Additionally, positioning yourself up-current and casting down-drift at a 45-degree angle allows you to cover more ground on larger pieces of deep-water structure. It is important to learn the depth you are casting to and ensure your eel reaches the strike zone quickly without overworking its action.
The size and colour of your plastic sand eel should also vary depending on the season and location. In late summer and fall, larger sizes of 6.6 inches to 7 inches are recommended, while smaller sizes of 4.5 inches are preferred in mid-fall. As the season transitions, the colour should be lightened, with light sand eel colours being ideal for small, almost translucent baitfish. Offshore sand eels, on the other hand, are darker in colour, resembling American eels with black backs and silver or white bellies.
Plastic sand eels are versatile and can be fished with different hooks and rigs. They are most effective when fished between one and three feet off the bottom. While Barbarian Hooks and Jig Heads can be used, Classic Weighted Swimbait hooks are recommended for their effectiveness in producing strikes. For larger bass or improved casting distance in windy conditions, a larger hook size, such as a 6/0 .5oz Classic, may be considered. The softer plastic of sand eel imitations allows for more body movement, enhancing their enticing action.
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How to hook a sand eel
Sand eels are a popular bait for anglers, as they are the mainstay diet for many fish species, including bass, cod, whiting, turbot, and rays. They are also a great bait to use when fishing for larger bass in deeper water. When fishing with sand eels, it is important to consider the time of day and the location, as sand eels are more prevalent in areas with sandy bottoms.
To hook a sand eel, you will need a 2/0 or 3/0 Pennel rig, scissors or a knife, and some bait elastic. If using live sand eels, you will need to obtain, keep, and present them, which can be impractical. Alternatively, you can use blast-frozen sand eels, which are easy to get and cheap. Allow them to thaw out before rigging them.
- Position two sand eels so that they lie head to tail with each other.
- Hook one sand eel through the top section and the other through the tail section on the bottom pennel hook.
- Twist and flip the sand eels so they lie along the length of the bottom hook.
- Using the top pennel, hook them through the opposite head and tail sections.
- Using your bait elastic, firmly bind the sand eel onto the hooks, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Ensure the hook points remain uncovered.
When fishing with sand eels, it is important to give them time to sink and not retrieve them too quickly. In shallow water, a 1/2-ounce jig head with an 8/0 or 9/0 hook and a decent shank length is recommended. This allows you to get into the strike zone quickly, which is important when fishing shoreline structure. When using a 1/2-ounce jig head, cast out and pause for a second or two before beginning a slow but steady retrieval. If you feel the bottom, raise your rod tip and reel faster.
Additionally, sand eel jigs and lures are also effective for fishing. Sand eel jigs can be used at various speeds and are effective casting lures. Lures such as the Tsunami Sand Eel have a built-in swimming action and holographic finish, making them irresistible to fish.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to retrieve plastic sand eels depends on the conditions and the type of fish you are targeting. In general, sand eels can be imitated by using a slow to medium retrieve with small hard twitches, as this mimics the movement of sand eels. If you are fishing in shallow water, a 1/2-ounce jighead with an 8/0 or 9/0 hook is recommended. For deeper water, a 3/4-ounce or 1.5-ounce jighead may be more effective.
Plastic sand eels can be purchased at most fishing supply stores or online. You can also try shops that specialise in outdoor gear, such as camping and hiking equipment.
Plastic sand eels are effective replacements for real sand eels when fishing for striped bass and fluke. They can be used as bait, either hooked like a sea worm or allowed to penetrate the tail end in two places and left to hang. To increase your chances of catching fish, try to mimic the natural movements of sand eels by using a combination of slow and fast retrieves.
