Phester: We drift the eels. We use medium spinning tackle with shimano baitrunner reels loaded with braid. Half the lines are freelined NO WEIGHT, and half have a small egg sinker(1/2 to 3/4oz) just above the swivel. I use 30 lb. flouro leader about 3 ft long and a 5/0 Eagle claw kahle hook. I like a light wire hook as it allows the eel to swim and those light wire hooks penetrate well.
We usually look for birds & bait and then we drift the area. When we cant find birds & bait we drift areas that usually produce fish. When its rough we deploy two drift socks to keep the boats nose into the waves and the lines behind the boat. We have been doing this for about 5 years with good luck. We used to be just about the only boat driftting in years past but this year everyone was dragging eels! The word is out I guess.