BigFish, ya don't whack 'em hard enough to kill them. I always ice my eels but once in a whule they still get a little frisky. I mostly boat fish so extra gear like ice buckets an such are not a problem. I just assumed from Eben's avatar, that he was surf fishing and probably didn't want to drag a lot of gear. A lot of guys that I know fishing the suds will keep them iced in their vehicle until the point of heading down to the suds, then bag them and make the walk. Certainly if you're within close proximity of your vehicle or don't mind carrying the bucket, keep them on ice. Again I also assumed everyone kept them on ice.
I guess I just assume too much.
Anyways, like I say, don't whack the little fella hard enough to kill him. Just take a little wind out of his sails. Oh, and this is only done to the ones that piss me off
