how to handle and unhook eels

[jimba]

In June I'm staying at a caravan park near Cleethorpes.Last year I found a creek at the back of the park thats crammed full of eels , rudd and dabs.There's even a few ghost carp that someone apparently dumped in there from an ornamental pond.

Anyway last year I caught loads of eels aswell as a few good sized rudd and dabs.The eels were really good sport and quite easy to catch, especially at night.However they are very difficult to handle and unhook.

Does anyone have any good tips on handling eels and unhooking them or any general tips on eel fishing.

thanks

[Leon Roskilly]

There's some advice on handling eels at:

 

http://www.anglingsites.com/saa/saainfo/code.htm

[Guest Rabbit]

if you cup your hands over their eyes and then gently lay them down and stroke them along their side they will relax, and will stay they way until released.

Sound incredible I know..but it does work.

[Neil G]

I've caught a few eels including two really big ones (4/5lb plus) which were quite a handful but fantastic, hard fighting fish.

 

Generally the way to deal with them is to get them upside down and stroke the belly. Use single hooks baitied with strips of mackerel or lobworms and you should be in business

[poledark]

I caught a stack of eels up to 6lb 2oz last season..most were around the 3lb mark. Had 17 in one afternoon!

 

I was using a 4" hooklength and feeder on 20BS braid, and No4 Super specialists

 

I lifted them out, not letting them touch anything, and they hung nice and still. I used a pair of pointy nose pliers to get hold of the hook shank, and lowered the eel and as it touched the water a quick twist and the hook was out.

 

I should make it clear, that these were all lip hooked.

 

The only one I netted was the big one (I thought it might weigh 8lbs ) No slime, no eel going berserk in the net

 

Den

[chesters1]

whack them over the vent with a mallet they quieten down a bit ,tin hat inplace