an ugly battle

Post by **wolfe** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:22 pm

Not exactly what you were hoping to pull up! Surprise!

Glad it was a self-release!

W.

Post by **Billy Bones** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:18 pm

Hey Brucey

we used to see a lot of those while scuba diving in the St Lawrence. Especially around shipwrecks. With the current that is there you have to crawl along the bottom. My diving buddy Bob actually grabbed one, thought it was a piece of iron off the wreck. Scared the pants off him.

How about we get together for some fishing??

Billy Bones

Post by **Mr.Tackle** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:03 pm

Wow cool...when I was in England I used to see the fisherman catch them from underneath the peirs...they are cool to see...ugly but cool. Cool pic!!!

Post by **crankbait58** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:09 am

Years ago they used to catch many of these in the upper St Lawrence. One of my Quebecois buddies talked me into trying baked eel which I undertook against my better judgement!! They are unbelievably tasty, and no bones!! They are a lot friendlier once they are skinned! Hopefully they will make a comeback in the Ottawa and they will remove the "protected species" tag.

Post by **Jimmy_1** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:10 am

Interesting,

What where you using when it bit?
Is catching eels in the Ottawa common?
What other waterbodies have them?

If they are protected and difficult to manage, has or is the MNR going to be publishing C&R methods for them? I can imagine that some folks who are freaked out by them and do not know they are "endangered" will certainly rather kill it then ensure its release....(kind of like the AWFUL muskie vids on Youtube)

Post by **bruce** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:04 pm

well i can tell you i wasnt lookin to catch it ,was drifting a floating jig and worm off bottom,this was my third out of the ottawa and was surprised to see it in this much current.saw a bigger one long ago at black rapids on the rideau,as for safe c+r cut the line close to the hook! believe me you dont want this in your boat. apparently very good eating, now if i could only catch what i;m fishin for,walleye!