Fishing for Eels during close season

[bungral]

I know its allowed but i was wondering if there were any specific rules you have to follow?

 

Any input would be great

 

Marc

[Brian Carragher]

I assume you mean fishing for eels in rivers during the close season

 

It is perfectly legal depending on where you live so check your regional by laws first

 

The main requirement of eel fishing in rivers during the coarse fish closed season is to do it without a hook. It's usually called bapping and involves a baiting needle and strands of wool. Thread the worms on the needle and then transfer them (thread them) onto the strands of wool , the idea being when the eel takes the worm the strands and fibres of the wool get meshed in the fine teeth of the eel

Edited May 14, 2006 by Brian Carragher

[bungral]

Yeah i'm talking about tidal Thames waters. I've never heard of bapping :S doesn't say anything about it in the bylaws. Suppose i'll call the relevent people for info.

[Dick Dastardly]

Some areas allow eel fishing in the closed season.I remember Severn Trent used to when I lived in the Midlands.You used to be ablr to ledger with worm for them but not use a float or fish baits! As the rules seem to vary so much (even though we now have a national Rod Licence!) it6s best to check with your own local office.

[bungral]

See now that makes sense to me.. I've read that you can use worm while ledgering. But again think its gotta be worth calling and checking.

[ridgeacre]

You can fish for eels in the close season but the hook must have 1/2 inch gape.

Edited May 15, 2006 by ridgeacre

[bungral]

You can fish for eels in the close season but the hook must have 1/2 inch gape.

 

Cheers for the info.. Could you link me to what sort of hooks i'd be looking for. Bare in mind is been over 2 seasons since i've fished so i'm a lil rusty.

[ColinW]

Check your local byelaws, they are all different. Here in the North West the only part of a river you can fish for eels with rod and line during the coarse fishing close season is the tidal part.

[DavyR]

It's usually called bapping and involves a baiting needle and strands of wool.

 

I've always known it as "babbing" and ooh look, theres a link about it here:

 

http://www.askanglers.co.uk/Coarse/Eel/babbing_eels.html

 

I thought eel fishing was being generally discouraged at the moment, anyway, due to rapidly declining stocks?

[gozzer]

Ah for the days of eel and flattie matches on the tidal R Wharfe.

 

 

Bloody Hell I'm showing my age now