Eel Traps

[Dick Dastardly]

Why I dont like eel traps is because they dont just trap eels! well in the case of Fyke nets any way.

 

The amount of waters around my way that thought it would be good" to let commercial eel netters fish their waters! "They're only interested in the eels so whats the problem ? we dont want em and its a bit more in the stocking fund"...............................

 

Regardless of your position on eels let me assure you that no eel netter I know would chuck back a carp,tench or pike that found its way into their nets! A bit like suggesting a coal miner wouldnt take any diamond he found!

[Dick Dastardly]

Also before following Dunks advice of interfering with the traps/nets make sure you KNOW not think they are illegal.I know nothing about traps but a good indication of if a Fyke net is legal is that it will have an "otter guard" (a square metal mesh) fitted over the entrance,a tag and also be clearly marked in navagable waters as opposed to being hidden.

 

When I used to net commercially (from the beach) I had my nets (and therefore living!) trashed several times by people who even then had the neck to call the police! because they were illegal.Strange how the police would be quite aggressive untill I produced my licence but then very reluctant to assist me by charging the "vandals"!

 

I havnt netted for many years due to my concerns for the future of eels but many still do LEGALLY please remember that whether you agree or disagree.

[zedhead]

i am pleased to see some geniune passion for the eels plight in some of the above posts, and whole heartdly agree with those condemning the use off eel traps, it still beggars belief that in this day and age, the need to catch eels for the table exists (i like to blame the cockneys!). Surely when a species such as the eel is driven to the brink, the species should attain protection and be allowed to recouperate. Apparently we wont see the effects of the current eel decline for upto 40 years due to the longevity of the species!

Also interestingly, there is a thread on pike deadbaits, it would be nice to see the piking fraternity show some willingness to conserve the species by not using eels as deadbaits, both from the pike anglers and the deadbait companies such as lucebaits.

It would be nice to see any national anguilla club members opinion on this topic.

[Alan Fawcett]

well if it makes you feel better zed i refuse to use Eel section when i'm predator angling mate, then again to be honest i much prefer lure angling anyway.

[Dick Dastardly]

I still use eel section for bait (mainly for Zander as its the only frozen dead bait I have faith in for them) but I have always limited myself to ones Ive caught that have been deep hooked/damaged.I dont think that this or other anglers like myself have a major impact on the eel population but I do agree that stopping hem being sold by bait companies would be a good idea.

 

Ive stopped using them in recent years for Cats or Pike as there are plenty of other alternatives.I wouldnt want to see a total ban on them for bait (as I think they are a good bait and that a ban wont save them!) but would reluctantly support any ban simply to show solidarity with other eel anglers.

[Dunk Fairley]

I rate Eel section as one of the best deadbaits around, but I'll not be using them again. Sometimes we have to re-assess things. OK, I've caught numerous very big pike on eel. Mr Fickiling once said that the best bait for a big eel, was a lump of eel. But, if by not using eel as bait in future, I may be helping the recovery of the eel population in some small way, then they have no space in my freezer.

[Alan Fawcett]

I much prefer using lamphrey or a nice piece of squid anyway............mmmmm maybe thats whay my deadbaiting escapades don't do so well??

[Dick Dastardly]

Its quite ironic isnt it Dunk that us using eel section as bait is such a small drop in the ocean but we are prepared to fore go it to help eel stocks but the real culprits (whoever it is and Im not even sure its netsman) will carry on regardless?

 

I suppose realisticly we should carry on using them but put more effort in to solving the over all problem? Our refraining from using them but doing nothing makes it a bit of a hollow gesture really,nothing more than a consience clearing excercise really? But what do we do?

 

I suppose by accepting there is a problem we are at least taking the first step...hope fully others will see/care about the problem to? Maybe we should see/convert other people with a vested interest in the eels future ie netsmen,elver netsmen,fish smokers as allies instead of the enemy?

[Dunk Fairley]

Budgie, as you know, I'm quite opinionated on a number of things. If I were to go on about not using eel deadbaits, but then carried on using them, I'd be a bit of a wally if I expected anyone to listen to my opinions.

 

I'm not particularly happy about not using eels as bait, but to me it really is a matter of principle. I'm pretty sure that the eel specialists, would not have major problems with eel deadbaiting, if eels were once again abundant.

 

Now, there are probably those reading this, who'll pipe up with "Eels, bloody eels! That's all I can catch on my local cut". That maybe the case, but there are ways of avoiding catching them if you want to and are skillfull enough. The same way it's possible to avoid bream, roach etc, when targeting other species.

 

The eel populations of our rivers, are not secure at the moment. For one thing, that drives the predators which normally choose eels as a preference (Otters, Cormorants, Grebes) to look for other prey.

 

I'm happy to say I'm doing my bit.

[Dunk Fairley]

If we struggle to hold an eel with two hands, it is oviously almost impossible with a beak. Good photo.

 

Can you imagine what happens when a Kestrel lands on a Grass snake? It can be a right tussle!

 

Unfortunately, eel traps are quite cheap and very easy to purchase. As are other sorts of wildlife trap. There is little, or no policing of their sale and use. It's a shame.