Mastering Hole-Fishing: Catch Eels and Mandarin Fish Like a Pro

Let’s be real—if you’ve ever tried to catch eels or mandarin fish with regular rod-and-reel tactics, you’ve probably gone home empty-handed. These slippery, tricky creatures don’t play by the same rules as bass or trout. They hide in holes, burrows, and nooks you’d never think to check. That’s where hole-fishing comes in—this underrated technique is like a secret handshake for targeting these elusive species. Today, I’m spilling everything I’ve learned (through trial, error, and way too many lost hooks) about how to nail eels and mandarin fish with hole-fishing. Trust me, by the end of this, you’ll be the angler your friends beg to take them fishing with.

What Is Hole-Fishing, Anyway? (Spoiler: It’s Not Just “Hooking a Hole”)

First things first—let’s get the basics straight. Hole-fishing isn’t just wandering around and jabbing a hook into random holes. Nope, that’s a surefire way to lose tackle and go home frustrated. Hole-fishing is the art of targeting fish that live in holes, burrows, or specific hiding spots. Think of it as “stalking” rather than “fishing”—you find their home, then tempt them out. It’s not about making a new spot (like regular chumming); it’s about using the spots they’ve already chosen.

Why does this work? Let’s take eels first. Eels are bottom-dwellers that love soft, muddy bottoms—they dig burrows 30cm or so underground near shallow water. You’ll never catch one with a regular float setup because they’re not swimming around in the open. Mandarin fish? Most people think they’re nomadic, but wait till you hear this—they actually use underwater gullies as spawning grounds! That’s a game-changer.

Hole-Fishing for Eels: Your Step-by-Step Guide (No More Empty Buckets)

Eels are the poster children for hole-fishing. They’re sneaky, strong, and will test your patience— but when you land one, it’s so worth it (they’re delicious, by the way, and have some cool medicinal uses if you’re into that). Let’s break down how to do this right.

1. Gear Up: Ditch the Fancy Rod—You Need This Stuff

Regular fishing gear won’t cut it for eel hole-fishing. Here’s what you actually need:

• A short, stiff wire leader: 50cm long, 0.9–1mm thick (stainless steel works best—eels will bite through nylon!). Grind one end into a sharp hook (no need for a store-bought hook—DIY is better here).
• An old-school handle or loop: Tie the other end of the wire to a wooden handle or just a loop (you’ll be pulling hard, so it needs to be sturdy).
• Live earthworms: The juicier, the better. Eels are carnivores—they can’t resist a wiggly worm.

Pro tip: Skip the float, reel, and fancy line. This is a “hand-fishing” adjacent technique—you’ll be holding the wire directly. Trust me, you don’t want a reel getting tangled when an eel yanks your line!

2. Find the Eel Holes (This Is Half the Battle)

Eels don’t just dig holes anywhere—look for these spots:

• Ponds and rice paddies: Check the edges where the water meets the bank. Eels love soft mud here.
• Riverbanks with brick or stone gaps: Eels will hide in cracks in old brick walls or stone piles—don’t skip these!
• Flooded areas: When rivers rise, eels will move to shallow, flooded spots and dig new holes. Keep an eye out for small, circular holes in the mud.

Warning: Eels are skittish! If you make too much noise, they’ll dart back into their burrows and stay there. Tread lightly, keep your voice down, and move slow.

3. The Hookset: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Okay, you found a hole—now what? Here’s the play-by-play:

1. Thread a worm onto your wire hook (make sure it’s secure—eels will strip it off if it’s loose).
2. Gently lower the hook into the hole—start with 10cm deep. Wait 30 seconds to a minute.
3. No bite? Slowly push the hook 2cm deeper. Repeat this (but don’t jam it—you’ll scare the eel).
4. When you feel a sharp tug (eels bite hard!), don’t yank—pull steadily. Eels will twist their bodies, so keep tension on the wire.
5. Once the eel is out of the hole, grab it quickly (use a towel—they’re slimy!) and put it in your bucket.

Another hack: Eels often have two holes (front and back) 40–60cm apart. If one hole isn’t working, check the other! I’ve caught so many eels this way—total game-changer.

4. Pro Tips for Eel Hole-Fishing (From Someone Who’s Been There)

Let’s cut to the chase—here’s what I wish I knew when I started:

• Timing is everything: Eels are most active in summer (June–August) and when the pressure is low (think rainy, cloudy days). They’ll pop their heads out to breathe—perfect time to strike.
• Don’t overstay your welcome: Spend 5 minutes max per hole. If no bite, move on. A 300m rice paddy has about 30–60 holes—you can catch 10 eels in 2 hours if you’re efficient.
• Watch for “heads up” eels: If you see an eel sticking its head out of the water, freeze! Then lower your hook gently into the hole—they’ll bite instantly. Just be ready to pull hard.

Hole-Fishing for Mandarin Fish (Yes, They Do Hide in Holes—Who Knew?)

Mandarin fish (also called mandarin bass) are aggressive predators, but most anglers miss the mark because they don’t know where they hide. Here’s the tea: Mandarin fish use underwater gullies as spawning grounds, and they’ll guard their nests fiercely. That’s your target.

1. When to Target Mandarin Fish (Seasons Matter)

Mandarin fish have two key periods for hole-fishing:

• Spawning season (late April–mid-May): Females lay eggs in shallow gullies (15–20cm deep, wide enough for a fish to turn around). Males guard the nest and will bite anything that moves.
• Fall (September–October): In slow-moving rivers with old banks, mandarin fish hide in cracks in the bank to ambush prey. They’re hungry and aggressive here.

2. Gear for Mandarin Fish Hole-Fishing (This Is Different Than Eels)

You’ll need a bit more gear here—mandarin fish are bigger and fight harder:

• A light spinning rod (6–7ft) with a 20lb test line (they’ll break lighter line).
• Live bait: Small minnows (like fathead minnows), shrimp, or small fish (mandarin fish love live prey—no fake lures here).
• A pair of waders (optional but helpful): If you’re fishing shallow gullies, waders let you get closer to the spawning spots.

3. Find the Mandarin Fish “Holes” (Gullies Are Your BFF)

Mandarin fish don’t dig holes—they use existing structures. Look for:

• Underwater gullies: These are shallow (0.8–1m deep) channels in the riverbed. If you know the area well, you’ll spot them. If not, use a sonar or just feel the bottom with your rod.
• Bank cracks and gaps: In old, eroded riverbanks, mandarin fish hide in crevices to ambush prey. Look for dark spots or small openings in the bank.

Pro move: If you’re fishing a new spot, use a rake or your hands to clear a small gully in the riverbed. Mandarin fish will use it as a spawning spot—perfect for targeting males!

4. How to Fish the Gully (The “Jiggle and Drag” Technique)

Once you find a gully, here’s what to do:

1. Cast your live bait into the gully (make sure it’s near the bottom).
2. Slowly drag the bait along the gully—move it 10cm at a time, then pause for 5 seconds. Mandarin fish are ambush predators—they’ll strike when the bait is still.
3. For fall fishing (bank cracks): Cast your bait near the crack, then slowly retrieve it in a zig-zag pattern (10m left to right). This mimics a wounded minnow—irresistible to mandarin fish.

Warning: Mandarin fish bite HARD. When you feel a tug, set the hook immediately—they’ll try to swim into the gully or crack to break free. Keep tension on the line and reel steadily.

Bonus: Hole-Fishing for Bighead Shrimp and Crabs (Why Not Double Down?)

While we’re talking hole-fishing, let’s throw in a bonus—bighead shrimp and crabs also hide in holes! Here’s how to catch them (no hook needed):

• Bighead shrimp: Use a piece of frog meat (skinned and gutted) or clam meat tied to a string. Lower it into the shrimp’s hole—they’ll clamp onto the meat with their claws. When you feel a tug, pull slowly—big shrimp will drag the bait into their hole. Use a net to scoop them up!
• Crabs: Same bait works! Crabs are scavengers—they’ll grab the meat and hold on. Just be careful—their claws hurt!

Pro tip: Use 20 rods in a row (each with a string and bait) for shrimp. Check them every 10 minutes—you’ll catch a ton!

Final Thoughts: Hole-Fishing Is All About Patience (And Not Giving Up)

Let’s be honest—hole-fishing isn’t for everyone. It’s slow, requires you to pay attention to tiny details, and you’ll lose a lot of hooks at first. But when you land that first eel or mandarin fish? It’s worth every second. I still remember my first eel— I pulled it out of a hole in a rice paddy, and it twisted so hard I almost dropped it. Now, I catch 10–15 eels every summer, and my friends beg me to bring them along.

Here’s my last piece of advice: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Every spot is different—some eels like deeper holes, some mandarin fish prefer shallower gullies. Try new baits, new spots, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t catch anything on your first try. Hole-fishing is a skill, and like any skill, it takes time to master.

Oh, and one more thing—always clean your gear after fishing! Eel slime is sticky, and mandarin fish will leave scales on your line. A quick rinse with water will save you a headache later.

Now go out there, find some holes, and catch some fish. Let me know how it goes— I’d love to hear your stories! (And if you catch a monster eel, send me a pic— I’m obsessed.)