Big Eels

[tony jolley]

Hi Clive,

Thanks for the corrections, You know I`m not one for figures, (Unlesss shes dark haired and fit,)

Thanks for the file you sent me, I have cut and pasted it to this post so every one can see the facts and figures you have quoted from, Good research as usual on your part,

I hope the 9lb eel comes your way soon, my friend.

Lee,

Thanks for your kind words again,

You are one of the people who have openly helped and supported the work of the eel groups from the "Outside" so to speak, That kind of support and encouragment is very much needed, Thanks!.

Please fellows read on!!

Researchers Succeed in Producing Leptocephali (Eel Larvae) in Captivity

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Eel culture currently depends totally on wild glass eels-juvenile eels which have migrated to rivers. However, glass eel catches have decreased in the past decade, resulting in a sharp increase in price and spurring hopes for the development of techniques for the production of glass eels and the artificial culture of eels from eggs.

 

In Japan, attempts to induce maturation began in the 1960s. In 1973, researchers succeeded for the first time in obtaining fertilized eggs and larvae from eels the maturation of which had been hormonally induced. Preleptocephalus larvae were subsequently reared for two weeks, reaching approximately seven millimeters in total length. Since then, many researchers have also succeeded in obtaining eel larvae, but not in raising the larvae beyond the time of depletion of yolk and oil droplet stores, since suitable larval feeds had not been identified. As a result, the eels remained long and slender, failing to reach the transparent, leaf-like leptocephalus stage.

 

In 1998, researchers at the National Research Institute of Aquaculture discovered that eel larvae would eat freeze-dried shark egg yolk. In preliminary feeding trials, researchers confirmed growth up to 10 millimeters in total length, and prolonged survival to 30 days after hatching of eel larvae fed freeze-dried shark egg yolk. However, as the feed remained nutritionally incomplete, the larvae still did not develop to the leptocephalus stage.

 

As a result of ongoing efforts to improve the feed, researchers found that the addition of oligopeptide, vitamins, minerals and krill extract to shark egg powder led to further growth of larvae. In trials, larvae were given the feed eight days after hatching and began feeding as soon it was placed on the bottom of the tank. These larvae grew continuously until the 50th day after hatching. After day 30, the body depth gradually increased and the larvae began to take on a willow-like leaf form. On day 209 after hatching, the larvae reached 30 millimeters in total length and developed into typical leptocephali.

 

Despite intensive research, research aimed at facilitating the complete culture of eels has been at a virtual standstill since the first production of preleptocephali 25 years ago. The successful production of leptocephali in captivity represents a major breakthrough toward achieving this goal.

 

For further information, please contact the Research and Technological Guidance Division of the Fisheries Agency at (03) 3502-0358.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[peter mccue]

Clive,

 

I was'nt thinking of those Eels that I referred to as 'river Eels' because the conditions required for a big eel are far better served in stillwater, it was, as you realised, a ref to the fact that they were not imprisoned.

 

However, the point you made about the changes in the water situation over the years whilst the Eel is in there are thought provoking & are certainly making me think twice about the prison theory!

 

The reason I mentioned Eel netters as possible back-up for the exodus idea, was because I've read various accounts from Eel netters here & there in books throughout the years of the phenomenom of huge catches of Eels over one or two nights that appear to be of a similar age group, judging by the uniformity of size, It seems a possible fit to me.

 

Have I read your post right Clive, do the Eels begin the physical changes of the migration process whilst still in freshwater?

 

I apologise if I'm well behind the times but I have'nt read anything about Eels being out of condition due to an onset of migration & feel it more likely they would be at their peak just before migration, or is this perhaps another indication of the prison theory.

 

How big can an Eel grow, you said well into double figures, I could'nt agree more but imagine hooking a 15-16lb Eel fantastic.

 

Is there a list of current reading on Eels you could post Clive/tony?

 

Great thread & great posts.

[tony jolley]

Hi Peter,

The best "Eel reading" is as follows,

(Dont get depressed)

 

Christopher Moriarty, "Eels a natural and un- natural history",

Leon Bertin "Eels a biological studie"

John sidley "Eels" paperback,

John Sidley " Eels -Successfull fishing series"

Brian Crawford, "Big eels and how to catch them"

Brian Crawford, "Eels" paperback

 

Unfortunatly All the above are out of print, so its second hand book shops,

 

Some furthure reading but only chapters in books are,

john baily, "Fishermans valley"

Jim Gibbonson, "modern specimen hunting"

 

Peter there may still be some back copies of N,A,C mags for sale, I cant promise but I`ll ask around for you,

But they are available to N,A,C members.

 

I wont go into any answers to you last post as they are directed at Clive,

All the best ,

Tony

ps I believe there is a book due for release from a current N A C member about eel fishing, but I dont know the full details yet,

[Paul Williams]

Fantastic thread!.....i have witnessed elvers leaving the water (river) so i have no doubts whatso ever that Clive is correct in saying that they can travel on the slightest of watercourses......i believe that as long as they can keep damp they can survive.

Clive.....does your group have a web site?

[tony jolley]

fisher sniffer:

Sorry!

this isn't specificaly what you are talking about but since you seem to know a lot about eels could you tell me how to handle them while unhooking without desliming them?

No problem,

The eel groups released this,

I know its on this site alot but "hey! for those who have missed it"

 

Press Releases

 

SPECIALIST EEL ANGLING GROUPS 15:59 Saturday, 10-10-2001

 

It has been brought to the attention of the Specialist Eel Angling Groups that there has been advice on the handling of eels placed within the angling press in recent weeks. The advice that has been given does not fall within the recommendations of eel handling as published within the S.A.A ( Specialist Anglers Alliance) code of conduct.

 

The Specialist Eel Angling Groups feels it is their place to advise on the correct procedure of hook removal and holding of captured eels. We strongly advise that ALL anglers refer and adopt the guidelines on eel handling as printed within the S,A,A code of conduct. We would also like to advise your readers of the correct procedure within this press release.

 

We advise that all potential eel bites/ takes should be struck as early as possible so as to reduce the potential of deep hooking. Once an eel has been hooked and landed we advise the eel be moved away from the waters edge and laid on soft material such as a Carp un-hooking mat. If the eel is found initially to be "uncontrollable" , we recommend lying the eel on its back for a short period of 20 to 30 seconds . The eel and the captors hands should be kept moist at all times, to prevent the removal of the protective layer of slime which the eel needs to keep itself free from infections. It was advised in one angling magazine that the captor should "Wrap the eel in newspaper", so as to give the captor a "better grip" of the eel, We cannot express our feelings strongly enough on the potential damage that can be caused to a eel in these circumstances.

 

Once the eel has been "calmed down" by gentle handling, the captor should assess the location of the hook, If the hook is visible in the front of the mouth, strong forcepts should be used to remove the hook. If the hook is "out of sight" we strongly advise against the use of a disgorger, as these have the potential to puncture vital organs eg heart, liver ,etc, that are located just behind the eels head. We advise, instead that if the hook is NOT Visible that the captor DOES NOT attempt removal, Instead the line should be cut as close to the eels mouth as possible and the hook left in its position, ( captures of eels by our members have shown that some eels with the hook out of sight and the line cut close as possible to the mouth have later re-gurgatated the bait with the hook within it or passed the hook through its digestive system).

 

When the captor is holding the eel for pictures or release we strongly advise that the eel is NOT to be gripped tightly within about a 10 inch area of the head, as this can also damage the internal organs of the eel and in no circumstances should your readers insert a finger into the gill opening of an eel, this is destined to result in the death of the said eel. A picture of an 8lb+ eel in the press recently showed the captor lifting the eel in this manner, to the disgust of many eel anglers, this showing a complete lack of respect to this amazing fish.

 

Anglers should refer to the S.A.A (Specialist Anglers Alliance) code of conduct or alternatively they can visit the National Anguilla Club web site at www.anguilla.org.uk were they will find a pictorial explanation of the described method of calming and handling of freshwater eels.

 

--------------------

[Clive]

Hi Guys

 

some further replies to your enquires :

 

Firstly thanks again to Lee for you support and comments on the eel anglers issues / efforts etc,

 

Peter: reference the netters taking bumper catches of eels possibly indicating mass migrations, it may be that individual waters see major migration for the reasons i mentioned before, more likely the netters catches are `improved' by having a combination of favourable tides, water temps, visability and moonlight conditions resulting in a major effort by the eels to move downstream (and into the nets!)

 

Regrading physical changes in the eel, we are not sure yet just what triggers the urge to migrate but it is almost certainly set up by a combination of chemical changes and reactions within the eels body. If this has been triggered then maybe it is unable to reverese this urge. Yes the eel would presumably be in a good physical state initially but then if the eel, after repeated attempts over many weeks is unable to find a means of exiting its stillwater home back into a river system (due to prison water conditions !!) then the onset of migration features (large eyes body fat wasting etc) would become increasingly evident, possibly resulting eventually in the eels death. This may explain why some eel populations change or fluctuate in a given water. :confused:

 

Regarding reading material on eels there is very little of note specifically regarding eel angling. There is however masses of info on the net regaring the eel , commercial fisheries for them , and research information.

 

Sniffer : reference unhooking - Checkout the press release drawn up and issues combined on behalf of the eel specialist groups (ESG NAC ECS) on the anglersnet / press release link - currently Page 4 - added 10/11/2001 (not mastered adding links yet!!) It seem abit curtailed form our origanal but the basic are there. PS the link to the NAC site does not work correctly - but then i'm not an NAC member so dont blame me

 

Paul : The Eel Study Group does have a website address is www.anglersnet.co.uk/saa/esg/ Thanks to Elton for providing this site for us.

 

Regards Clive Dennison

 

(General Secretary Eel Study Group)

 

[ 29 June 2002, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: Clive ]

[Paul Williams]

Cheers Clive,

I used to spend a lot of time eel fishing and i'm getting the urge in a big way again......threads like this help!

[tony jolley]

Hi guys,

Check out this link, it explains a bit about he eel, its life cycle and highlights some of the concerns that the E C S has been pressing for,

http://www.waterpolicyteam.org/Factsheets/...0FS1%20Test.pdf

 

Yes Clive the N,A,C web site has changed it can be found at.....

 

www.thenac.fsnet.co.uk also check out N A C member Richard Huggets web site at.....

http://freespace.virgin.net/rich.theelchaser/Index.htm

 

[ 30 June 2002, 10:58 AM: Message edited by: tony jolley ]

[grahamdaubney]

Many thanks for all of your answers,it's been a fascinating,amazing read.

 

There is one other question I would like your opinions on,although I realize it's pure speculation,it's something thats puzzled me for years.

 

Back in the 1970's two of us were having a night session on the Relief Channel in Norfolk.On one rod I had a paternostered roach livebait which must have weighed a full 6oz,one hook in the dorsal,one in the pectoral.Sometime in the night it was picked up and a very fast run occurred that showed no signs of stopping so I hit it,feeling nothing.On retrieving the the roach I found it had been bitten in half just behind the rear treble and the bite was so clean it could have been done with a stanley knife,the roach's mouth and gills were still working.Its puzzled me ever since but most people I've asked say the culprit is most likely a big eel.Could an eel do this?What size would it have to be to bite a 6oz roach in half?I know there are some very large eels in the fen drains,a zander angling friend of mine found a near seven pounder freshly dead a couple of years ago.

[tony jolley]

grahamdaubney:

Many thanks for all of your answers,it's been a fascinating,amazing read.

 

There is one other question I would like your opinions on,although I realize it's pure speculation,it's something thats puzzled me for years.

 

Back in the 1970's two of us were having a night session on the Relief Channel in Norfolk.On one rod I had a paternostered roach livebait which must have weighed a full 6oz,one hook in the dorsal,one in the pectoral.Sometime in the night it was picked up and a very fast run occurred that showed no signs of stopping so I hit it,feeling nothing.On retrieving the the roach I found it had been bitten in half just behind the rear treble and the bite was so clean it could have been done with a stanley knife,the roach's mouth and gills were still working.Its puzzled me ever since but most people I've asked say the culprit is most likely a big eel.Could an eel do this?What size would it have to be to bite a 6oz roach in half?I know there are some very large eels in the fen drains,a zander angling friend of mine found a near seven pounder freshly dead a couple of years ago.

Hi Graham.

I havn`t had that happen to me but my brother has, with a bait of a simmilar size,

He believed a eel to be responsable,

Sometimes after a dropped eel take you get the bait back with distinctive marks on it, these look like displacements of the scales in a sort of horse shoe shape these match perfectly the shape of the "Pads" that the eels use to grasp the bait, these pads vary in coursness,

On one take he had the bait taken in half, on another these marks were identified, there were 4 distinct pad marks the size of your thumb nail with a distance of about 3" from edge to edge,

Size i believe to be "Massive" I would have estimated it to be a 8lb+ eel,

Maybe Clive has some better idea from his catch records,

 

[ 30 June 2002, 09:24 PM: Message edited by: tony jolley ]