huge eels on the feed for specialists

Eels are an often overlooked species but those who have been targeted them recently have found great success with multiple specimens landed – topped by a 6lb 2oz beast.

The superb specimen was banked by all-rounder Daniel Woolcott who had an amazing session on a large gravel pit taking a further six eels over the 3lb mark with three others over 5lb. 

Daniel had targeted the venue for 18 nights last year without landing a single eel. He set things right this season however with the big hit coming after a two-week baiting campaign. 

The National Anguila Club member said: “This year I decided to target them earlier, when a lot of big eels get caught. It turned out to be a great move. Every eel was lip-hooked and most ejected once they were in the landing net, which is important, as fish care it a top priority for me.”

Dan’s haul of eels were caught over a bed of Dynamite Big Fish Green Lipped Mussel Method mix and dead maggots boosted with Dynamite worm liquid attractant. The biggest snake fell to a squid section while the rest fell to maggots. His rig comprised of a very short length of 50lb Arma Kord with a size 10 hook.

Former Drennan Cup winner Len Arbery has also been on the hunt for big eels and on his 80th birthday got the present of a personal best 5lb 9oz fish. Accompanied by son Tony, Len used classic swingtip tactics on a venue with previous good form for the species. 

Big fish specialist Len said: “Fortunately for me the only chance of the trip came to one of my rods. It is the biggest eel I’ve ever landed throughout my 60-year-plus angling career. It measured 38.5ins long with a girth of 8.5ins.”

Len geared up for the eels with a 1.5lb Drennan Super Specialist rod, 10lb Drennan monofilament mainline and a 29lb Daiwa J-Braid hook link tied to a size 6 Cryogen Gripper hook used to present a big lobworm. 

Based on son Tony’s previous experience with the species, Len used a swingtip and link-leger to counter the eels extreme sensitivity to resistance.