Surprise Eel

[cmoran719]

Went fishing for about an hour and a half today during work break. Haven't fished much in the last few weeks and when I did it wasn't good, so catching something other than a sunfish was much needed. Threw some shrimp and chicken liver out, hoping for some decent catfish. Water was high and raging, current ripping. Didn't have enough weight on to hold bottom so my baits were bouncing along the bottom but was ok. Bout 20 minutes in had a good bite, felt like a decent catfish. Once the fish surfaced I realized it was an eel! (my first ever) and a decent one at that. Fought super hard at the surface for a while before I got him in. Took so long for me to get the hook out after that I didn't get a measurement. But he was at least 36" long.

Didn't catch anything else after that but it was a nice surprise and my first eel so I'm happy.

[acabtp]

cool! looks fiesty

[FASTEDDIE29]

That's a monster! YUMMY!!!

[MaCe1]

That is a big eel, very nice. Surprised to see the picture with that one's tail on your shoulder. We caught them as teenagers from a local pond at the Shore, the slimiest things ever. They would wrap themselves in the line and leave a slime slick so thick we just cut the lines.