want to try this for the first time. anybody have any pointers on how to rig. going to be fishing in the BPT stratford area. does the tide play a role in this type of fishing, Day or night time????Any help with be appriciated. thanks mike

Some great tips here:

http://www.ctfisherman.com/eeling.html

that is a really nice write up by Stu.

I usually store them in a bucket with some freezer packs.

Also, I think if you 'rough up' the eel (scrape it with the back of a knife or put some shallow cuts in it to make it look wounded) it helps.

Do not put the eels in a bucket of water without a pump. If you put them in a dry bucket they will eventually drown in their own slime. I use a double bucket... Drill some small holes, 1/4 - 3/8 inch, in the bottom of a bucket and put inside another bucket(without holes). Put the eels and a chunk of ice in the top bucket. The holes allow the eel slime and water to drain into the bottom bucket. As long as you keep them moist they will last for a very long time.

very good advice. I usually buy eels at CToutfitters because it is a stones throw away from my house. I use the same method as fish fanatic. When I drive from Wethersfield to Old Saybrook a dozen eels can ooz about a couple of quarts of slime in about a 40 minute ride. Best to have some sort of way to keep the eels out of their own secretion. Ice will stop them from squirming so much and the rags will help you grip them. Then I just use a three way rig with a heavy enough weight to hold the bottom in a fast moving drift.