Are big eels making a comeback?

ELS could perhaps be described as the Marmite species of the fishing world. Some anglers love them, while others go out of their way to avoid them.

Yet since the lockdown was lifted and we all returned to the banks, the Angling Times newsdesk has been inundated with an unprecedented number of catch shots of specimen eels. This summer, dozens of reports of 5lb, 6lb and 7lb-plus fish have been sent in by readers, leading some to predict that 2020 could prove to be one of the most prolific years for the species ever recorded.

This notion was given further impetus a little over a week ago when Leicestershire angler Steve Pitts banked a 10lb 2oz monster from a gravel pit, one of the biggest eels ever caught by design in the UK.

Steve Pitts and his 10lb 2oz monster eel

EELS THRIVE IN THE HEAT

So why has this year seemingly been so productive for big eels? According to lifelong National Anguilla Club member Barry McConnell, who recently banked six eels between 4lb 1oz and 7lb 8oz in a single session, there have been a couple of contributory factors, with the prevailing weather conditions arguably being the most influential.

The 63-year-old told us:

“We had an especially hot spring this year which meant water temperatures rose quickly and encouraged algae to grow at a rapid rate.
“This growth in turn encouraged hatching flies and invertebrates to become active, and these are what small fish feed on.
“Of course, eels eat the small fish and I’ve enjoyed some of my best eel fishing when the fry have been ravenous.”

While many anglers continue to target the conventional summer species of barbel, carp, bream or tench, Barry also believes there have been more people targeting eels this year, as they offer a fresh challenge.

“With a large percentage of UK workers still placed on the Government’s furlough scheme, the fact that more people are fishing has also led to an increase in the number of big eels being caught,” he added
“Some anglers have grown bored with the norm and fancy a step into the unknown. Eels are mysterious creatures, and once you’ve bought into how to catch them, fishing for them becomes an addiction.”

According to Barry, the fight a big eel puts up is one of the biggest draws.

“Eels fight harder pound for pound than any other species, which is largely due to their ability to swim backwards.
“Once you’ve experienced the buzz of catching your first eel, you’re just hooked.
“I’ve landed more than 30 freshwater eels over 10lb in New Zealand and Australia, and I’ve yet to fight anything stronger.”

Eels fight harder than any other species

UK’S GIANT EEL POTENTIAL

Steve Pitts’ 10lb 2oz effort is one of the top 10 largest freshwater eels ever recorded from British waters and is a fish that he reckons is at least 80 years old.

Yet despite Steve’s catch and the glut of other reports of big eels, the truth is that numbers of European freshwater eels have plummeted over the last 40 years, and according to marine and freshwater biologist Paul Garner, it’s this very decline that could have helped individual eels reach huge sizes – leading to the large number of catches made recently, which could be distorting the overall picture.

He said:

“Eel populations are definitely reducing with an estimated 95 per cent decline in numbers across Europe.
“As with other species, though, a decline can also mean that the remaining fish have less competition and so have the opportunity to grow larger.
“When you add in the explosion of crayfish in many venues and the abundance of silverfish in commercial fisheries, it’s really no surprise that eels have managed to grow to near-record sizes.”

A decline in competition is making the remaining eels larger

The enduring APPEAL

Despite the grim prognosis, anglers like Steve Pitts, who has fished exclusively for eels over the past 40 years, are encouraging others to get out there and take advantage of what is undoubtedly an exceptional year for the species.

“They’re truly fascinating, wild creatures with a real mystery about them,” he said.
“They can end up in any body of water and go unnoticed for years, packing on the pounds in the process.
“But arguably the most appealing part of being an eel angler is the challenge. I like to fish for them on neglected non-commercial venues and, although the fishing can be extremely hard at times, your next bite could produce the fish of your dreams!”

Steve Pitts with the fish of his dreams!