17lb 15oz eel

[Brian Crawford]

Anyone any information on the 17lb 15oz eel captured by Warren Gaunt of Hemel Hempstead from a southern gravel pit reported in News of the World today?

[Warren Gaunt]

Typo error i think Brian, spoke to Phil (Smith), was telling me ealier he and Merv were having a chuckle over it. I'm more than happy with the 7lb 15oz!

 

 

7lb 15oz Eel here

Edited August 6, 2006 by Warren Gaunt

[Brian Crawford]

Thanks for that Warren. Sorry it was not 17lb as I would love a new record eel to be caught by a proper eel angler in my lifetime. However, many congratulations on such a magnificent catch and your techniques.

 

Congratulations also to Andy for his great catches of eels.

 

Carry on the good work.

 

Brian

[jimpy0]

Excuse my ignorance but what constitutes a proper eel angler

[PHIL SMITH]

Excuse my ignorance but what constitutes a proper eel angler

 

An angler who is actually fishing for specimen eels rather than one who catches by accident.

 

Shame the report was not correct, that would have been a good eel instead of a paltry 7lb 15oz!

[Ken L]

Strange logic.

If I'm trotting a river and happen to bag a record dace, does the fact that I'm not targeting dace specifically mean that I'm not a proper dace angler.

If a record chub grabs a lure that I'm using and I'm fishing for whatever comes along, does that somehow devalue the fish or the achievement ?

 

What's funny is that by making those kinds of comments, people are trying desperatly to distance themselves from carp anglers whilst demonstraiting that the attitudes that permiate carp angling are alive and well and running through their own minds.

[jimpy0]

that was roughly the point i was trying to make ken but did it so as not to leave myself wide open

 

as i believe eels will readily take most baits how do you specifically target them as with any other species

 

have been out chubbing and barbelling in the past and if it wasnt for the occasional eel i would have blanked on that day

[peter mccue]

Fantastic fish Warren, well done! Tremendous photo's you really get a feel for the size of the beast.

 

As much as I love all species - and I fish for them all - there's definately that much extra with a big Eel, they are so much harder than Carp, Barbel, Pike etc. I don't think people quite realise how good looking they are, you're photo's do it justice Warren.

[peter mccue]

Strange logic.

If I'm trotting a river and happen to bag a record dace, does the fact that I'm not targeting dace specifically mean that I'm not a proper dace angler.

If a record chub grabs a lure that I'm using and I'm fishing for whatever comes along, does that somehow devalue the fish or the achievement ?

 

What's funny is that by making those kinds of comments, people are trying desperatly to distance themselves from carp anglers whilst demonstraiting that the attitudes that permiate carp angling are alive and well and running through their own minds.

 

Hmmm doesn't seem strange to me, you're examples are very blurred in terms of specializing. Lets say you're Carping, usual thing 15lb line etc & you land a huge Roach or perhaps Chub. Now I would be excited, no doubts about that, but how could you not wish you'd caught them on 'proper tactics' it must surely devalue the capture.

 

What about you're record Dace, if you caught it on 12lb line & a size 8 when Barbel fishing?

 

Of course it doesn't alter the fact that the fish was caught by recognised means, but it must reduce the sense of personal achievement due to it being captured on systems completely beyond the species need. Unfortunately it becomes a fluke capture, enjoyable but devalued on a personal level.

[Leon Roskilly]

As with most species worth pursuing, you need to study the creature, its habitat, biology and behaviour.

 

Sure, put a worm in the water and you can catch almost anything, some good fish in time.

 

But if you want to consistently catch specimen sized fish of a given species, a certain amount of dedication is required

 

Not only putting the hours in when your chances are greatest, but in research, theorising and exchanging knowledge with other like-minded individuals, and using that knowledge to adapt baits, tackle and techniques, and to fish in the right places.

 

Yes, there is every chance that I might one day find a monster 'snake' on the end of my line, but it's going to be mostly down to luck.

 

But others I know have a far, far greater chance of such an accomplishment because they are 'proper eel anglers' and have my utmost respect.

 

Leon

 

(Hon. Member The National Anguilla Club)

 

ps Well done Warren, are you back on the ground yet?

Edited August 6, 2006 by Leon Roskilly