I spent several evenings last year using worms or minnows trying to catch some eels to smoke, (yes, I know, make sure they're dry as they take some lighting), I never caught one and wondered are they extinct? I've never tried fishing for them for a few years, but now I have my smoker I thought they might be worth a try, has anyone an idea why I never caught any?

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If it wasn't for pickpockets I wouldn't have a sex life.

I read somewhere that the eel numbers have dwindled drastically.They are not as common as they once were.

Your approaching this all wrong.

What I recall from the coarse fishing days is this;
If you set out and tackle up with the intention of catching anything but eels, you'll be guaranteed to bag a net full of the bloody things

Jimmy is right they have dwindled drastically.

Eel fishing has been banned on alot if not all of waters in N Ireland.

They certainly arent extinct, but the shockingly low number of elvers(baby eels) returning to britain, coupled with the parasite that attacks and destroys the swimbladder of eels infecting something like 90-100% of the population means that they probably will be extinct within 50 or so years. Also your technique mightn't be quite right, try to fish with as little resistance as possible.

The new bylaw means you can't remove them, so I guess your going to have to quit the smoking habit.

Jasus peter dont i know it boy,

i worked the shannon region for years , selling them to the dutch,
bought all my gear either in holland or ardboe,

total ban now for 25 years,

There is now a complete ban on eel fishing in Scotland - criminal offence if you intentionally fish for or take eels. Eels are in deep trouble just now across Europe - very worrying. I'm pretty sure there will be an equivalent ban in England and Wales - but best check.

i fish the river garnock in ayrshire and this river s polluted with the gits and boy do they love my worms many a good salmon days fshing ruined with the gits although i would say elvers rather than eels

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fishing or the wife she is history orry dear]

I did not know that they are protected now.
There is a fishery in Rothiemurcus (Aviemore) and the place is full of them.
You can feed them in the stream that feeds the ponds.
They are not my favourite fish by any means but i would not like them to get wiped out.


Munro

Yeah, I believe Holland have also implemented a ban.

The figures thrown about over the last few years are indeed worrying. A staggering 95 percent decline in numbers over the last 25 years.


Worth a try, you never know



.Shaun

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