![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlw8-5P59zo2nVe7-rbOGCWQFInqI3_-g3VzwXshct2BZlw54_-ppxAWd69W4XfAvQ1TM2Bj67b8Gyq21AuFpKgpyGK3W2sdeksX7pRficL5135ZlT1DE8kt0HHx0_lWjxz_FDH_Un68/s400/mini_rig.jpg)
I’m always on the move when I’m fishing, but if I wanted an eel for my Species Hunt I was going to have to bait and wait. Size 12 barbless hook with luncheon meat and rig scaled down to match. I cast out, sat back and so began the waiting game...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0Nm8tSdo5an62BATgin4jwCw0QY8rPrZCWf3nSvvu9FRestP07QAYIA6XgG0ladw45KwUV-6OF_8tw1CyfW737gjCubGY09s1w50QOEdClUjEafSSL6CoRo0HFarcBEzoR25Zk6UkE0/s400/barbel_6-5.jpg)
A few little knocks and taps, but it was well over an hour before the rod nearly ripped off the rod rests - definitely not an eel. A barbel charged around my swim before finding the net, not my target but you’ve got to love a barbel, popped it on the scales, 6lb 5oz.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1M9R05FwVLV4EZPuhy5yXxqUyPPnjrmw8EKnrwpD8N6pvmCpIKPyCamY2wOV9dGdp3Ja0j-51Xz5IoEzKSX-oaoArzTBYLy2YFQlYWG0HFLi3iXEFeBp4q49gIrzYZkao1MHThVzivs/s400/barbel_5-4.jpg)
I presumed the fight had spooked all the other fish, hopefully just leaving eels to mop up the remaining free samples - so I was surprised when the tip sprang to life within a minute, a 5lb 4oz barbel! Any more? Nope, the tip remained still for another hour or so...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8dAF9iXi-mIV8A2LSaCNV37JWR_5St_n-Lt4Fmgm8Mt13oGpdx4si1d73tUMf16oQhK5gGcWAi7hB-9aGEurqtJko_WeoTfOmhHHnDkvJlb37m0x5Y6AVgQ4cOygk-DzdJEBM86kyaE/s400/eel.jpg)
Then the tap-tap-tap of an eel, strike and target spotted as it wriggled about on the surface. Only a bootlace but I used the net just in case - and as it went over the hook pulled. All the fun of catching an eel with none of the hassle of unhooking it - job done!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuuKFWBur8A4XpNneI8nPNuCykscf-7nN6Mn2YHOH8m_k8mZRliyrPMxyA_P16H2a5jUndM8WFyxxYInu27y5PkxZt8j0ZZGrTwsnvJDpbKkXJwgLer3OWSJgIGjyOFda8Jqa7EFmpr0/s400/female_stagbeetle.jpg)
I was tempted to stay on and try and catch another before I ran out of light, but I’d been in one spot too long. I decided to pack the gear up and have a wander - possibly find the next target. And on route bumped into this little beauty - and helped her cross the road!
No comments:
Post a Comment