Eel Mission

Well the two of us had planned on an eel mission last night in the hope of beaching a decent conger. You take these things for granted in the boat, they can even become quite annoying when you are after bass and cod. From the shore however, they are a bit harder to catch and a bit more rewarding!
We fished from 7 until 11:00, with big cuttle baits, big strong hooks and 150lb mono trace.........it was very much a shit or bust approach!
Plenty of pout bites picking at the baits all through the session kept the rod tips nodding, but then I noticed something slightly different...... Picked up the rod and could immediately tell there was something 'eel like' gently playing with the bait. I let the fish get a hold of it until I could feel it starting to back up with the bait in it's mouth, wound down and lifted in to a heavy bucking weight........Eel on!
Dave went about reeling in the other rods leaving us free to concentrate on the job in hand. Ten minutes later we had the eel on the beach and I had a good wrestle with it trying to get some decent shots!

She went 20lb 6oz, making this fish a new 'shore' personal best for me. After a few photos I slipped her back off into the darkness.

Well worth the effort!