James RickardThoughts on the Yum Dancin' Eel
April 30th 2008 00:52
Yum's Dancin' Eel
Whatever!
Anyway, here we go with some thoughts on Yum's Dancin' Eel!
It's true what they say about fishing on the front edge of a cold front. It makes things difficult if not down right unproductive. Despite this, I went fishing last weekend and tried out Yum's Dancin' Eel.
I didn't have great luck but, I think this was because of the conditions more so than the lure itself. It was nice when I was outside but all that had changed by the time the next morning rolled around.
The Dancin' Eel is basically a crankbait with a long trailing tail. Aside from its appearance, what makes the Dancin' Eel unlike other lures is the fact that it incorporates a scent chamber you can fill with Yum attractant. To that end, the Dancin' Eel is packaged with a cap to facilitate this endeavor.
I know the wobbling tail is one thing that attracts fish to the Dancin' Eel but the tail is also my No.1 knock on this lure!
If I designed the Dancin' Eel, I would put a hook at the end of its tail and maybe another one half way between the end of its tail and the main hook.
Before anyone rushes to their tacklebox and tries this, despite what I just said, DON'T TRY IT!
First of all, adding hooks to a lure just because you want to, throws off the balance and action of the lure. More importantly, the tail of the Dancin' Eel isn't designed for this and one good bite is going to separate it from the rest of the lure!
Another thing I love and HATE about the tail is that it acts as a rudder. Things are great as long as the tail is straight but if it gets bent, the lure swims to one side.
I read on the Internet that anglers get around this problem by putting the Dancin' Eel's tail in boiling water to straighten it. I've been known to boil a lure or two but this is a real pain when you take a lure out of its package and expect it to work correctly.
On the water, I tried rubbing the tail of my Dance' Eel and even held it under my arm but I couldn't warm the soft plastic enough to alter its configuration. Boiling is all I can offer to alter an errant lure.
When you get done fishing with the Dancin' Eel, make sure you lay it some place that's flat. If you don't, you'll have a curved tail for sure!
Getting past my own prejudices and assuming your lure works properly, you have to remember that the Dancin' Eel is best used for deeper fish. You can fish slow, nursing it along and probably get by in shallow water.
If you are partial to floating crankbaits, you may be put off by the Dancin' Eel because it slowly sinks when not retrieved. With the Dancin' Eel, you're going to run into the same problem encountered with all sinking lures--if you don't watch out, you'll get snagged on the bottom! Like most lures, the diving bill will hit any object in the Dancin' Eel's path but, the possibility of getting hung up and the bottom exists!
A really nice aspect of the Dancin' Eel is its price--around five bucks! If you're looking for a low cost lure and have BIG fish in mind, this may be the way to go. You can get the Dancin' Eel in four different colors.
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
*image from lurenet.com
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Comment by tlcorbin
Raven
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
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That's a good call. I'm sort of ambivalent about it.
Comment by Bass Kid
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
I've heard a LOT of people say that. As for the color, I've come to the conclusion that it's a local thing! I have a lure that's a real killer in Minnesota, but around here, in PA, I don't catch a darned thing with it. They say action is more important than color but this lure must be an exception!!!!