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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Nath1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Sea Eel
    Posted: 28 Feb 2012 at 3:27pm
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The other night I managed to land a big 1.5 metre sea eel fishing from the rocks.
 
I caught it on a snapper snatcher line. Didn't really want it (thought it was a big snapper when reeling in)
 
Am I perhaps fishing in the wrong spot? Are snapper still found where eels are? Was I right to just cut my line instead of removing the hook? - Have heard of peoples fingers being bitten off!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote EditB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Feb 2012 at 3:40pm
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I have found both at the same location fishing off the bricks.
As to cutting the line, try and cut it as close as possible to the hook, as long as you're calm about it you should be able to get close enough without endangering your pinkies Big smile
I do not lie about fishing, I willingly participate in a campaign of misinformation.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Feb 2012 at 6:00pm
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It sounds like a conger, initially they do behave a bit like a snapper. They are tough creatures and willc survive a hook. They hang around areas of foul ground so it can be likely snapper territory.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Ahab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 10:26am
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Originally posted by Nath1 Nath1 wrote:

The other night I managed to land a big 1.5 metre sea eel fishing from the rocks.
 
I caught it on a snapper snatcher line. Didn't really want it (thought it was a big snapper when reeling in)
 
Am I perhaps fishing in the wrong spot? Are snapper still found where eels are? Was I right to just cut my line instead of removing the hook? - Have heard of peoples fingers being bitten off!

Eels and snapper are often caught in the same place, mate. One thing though, if an eel gets to your bait first, it probably means the snapper aren't around or aren't hungry, as it generally takes eels longer to sniff out a bait than snaps. However this doesn't mean the snaps won't come on the chew in 30mins time, so it isn't a reason to pack up.

As to safety, congers seem to me to have the same kind of teeth as freshwater eels: more for grasping and tearing than for cutting or crushing. If one bites you, I would guess you'd get graze-like injuries. I doubt it has the tools to remove your finger or any part of you. They don't seem too focussed on biting anyway.

Releasing them is usually pretty simple, especially if you happen to have longnose pliers. I have a leatherman tool which does the job. You just grasp the hook by the shank and reverse it against the weight of the eel, and it should drop off into the water. With hooks like those used on the snapper snatcher, the eel should be hooked in the corner of the mouth, making this release very easy.

However if you can't see the hook, cutting it off is the best option. 

If you catch a moray, I would cut him straight off as soon as you get him near. I've tried retrieving the hooks from these, but they tend to tie a knot in their tail and move it up their body (this is how they rip pieces of meat off large dead animals). This causes an ungodly tangle, and the eel's chances of survival are limited.


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Nath1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2012 at 2:56pm
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Hmm when I held it down in a towel to attempt to remove hook before cutting line it's tail started to wrap around my arm, that was the point I threw my arm and cut the line.

 
Great to hear that Snapper can still be in spot, may have just been fishing the wrong tide (low)
 
Cheers for replies
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2012 at 3:13pm
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Nath, eels will do that they wrap around your line and all sorts, best way to deal with them is to leave them in the water and cut the line close to their mouths. One of the better snapper spots i fish in the Manukau Harbour has lots of very big congers. It's the weed cover and rocks that draw them there just as it does the snapper.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Catchelot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2012 at 3:17pm
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Congers are beaut smoked if you are keenWink
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote gollyfish Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2012 at 4:13pm
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tryed to un hook one with a pair of forceps "once", had the forceps locked on the hook ,thumb and finger in the sissor like handle loops, then the eel did a big spinning death roll thing and nearly took my arm off! fingers in pain for days. Cry
as i said......once!
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