I've only fished conger off piers but did find that small dead wrasse make a top bait, even beating mackerel by times.
Take one small fresh dead wrasse, stamp on it (not very technical or elegant, but that gets the juices flowing) bang it on a hook and that's it. Nothing fancy, but it works.
I've noticed that takes can be very tentative and that it's best to let the line completely slack - the conger appear to mouth the wrasse to get the pointy bits lying the right way and want to move back towards their hidey-hole while doing this before taking the bait into their mouth properly. Then, when you figure they've got the bait in their mouth properly, gently draw the line in
very slowly - I find the eel will then come towards you. Once you figure it's clear of it's hole or you feel it start to resist, strike. Then the fun starts.....
Use a heavy mono biting trace, as wire tends to mess up their mouth. A good pair of forceps (if you're not a fan of the T-bar) is handy for unhooking, as is a wet towel to try to hold on to them.
You need sharp hooks. I'd have a read of this page:
http://www.worldseafishing.com/news/173 ... 06-20.html
Another thing not to skimp on are swivels. Heavy and best quality you can afford......