Rare eel a new best

A lake with little history for producing big eels has produced this 5lb 3oz monster to Darren Clarke. 

Darren only decided to target eels on his Lincolnshire syndicate water after the weather scuppered his plans to target other fish. 

He said: “I did fish it several years ago and had a 4lb 4oz eel – the only one known to have come out the lake.

“This time the night was quiet until 3am, when one of my homemade drop-off indicators fell to the floor and line began to peel off the spool. 

“I picked up the rod quickly to avoid deep hooking and felt the unmistakable zig-zagging fight of a specimen eel. 

“A few minutes of drama getting it in the net in the dark and the fight was won. 

“The scales read 5lb 3oz and I had a new personal best by 3oz. Happy is an understatement!”

Darren’s eel fell to a simple running rig incorporating a size 6 Korda Wide Gape hook attached to an 18ins, 50lb Korda Armacord braided hooklink . 

His hookbait was the head of a small roach.