I think the Phil Schwind's book 'Fishing on Cape Cod' also talks about using
an eelskin rig for trolling. As I recall the homemade rigs consisted of a short
length (2") of brass or copper pipe (1" diameter). A groove filed in the pipe
to secure the eelskin. A hole drilled near the rear of the pipe. A large cotter
pin thru the pipe to secure the front hook and the chain to the rear hook. A
was drilled near the front end for the leader attachment. These rigs were
usually pretty long. They used the winter speared eelskins.
When I fished Cuttyhunk in the late 60's the lure of choice was a large swimming
plug covered with an eelskin and streamed with 150' of wireline off of the
Sow and Pigs or Devil's Bridge. They used GooGoo Eyes lures, Gibbs Trolling
Swimmers and the top choice was an old wooden Atom Swimmer.