Monster eel landed after three day search

A THREE-day session targeting specimen eels paid off in spades for Dean Aston when he took this impressive ‘snake’ weighing 6lb 6oz.

It was the only bite of the trip for the 48-year-old painter and decorator from Wolverhampton, who told Angling Times: “The eel was caught using a short 6ins hooklength utilising a Barry McTwig rig on a size 8 hook, baited with worms soaked deep in worm extract.

“With this set-up you don’t deep-hook the eel, and sure enough it worked – the hook just pierced through the fish’s lips.

“She gave me a few heart- stopping moments, I can tell you, and I was lucky I had my mate Chris Brown with me to help land the 45ins-long eel. 

“I’ve been eel fishing for 20 years now and this is a new personal best, so I’m over the moon.”