15-pound +, 45-inch eel - caught off NJ head boat

[Finaddict]

For any of you guys that get the NJ Fisherman - check out the front page of the report section.

There's a guy there holidng up a 45-inch, 15-pound + eel ... that would certianly keep the small guys off the hook when fishing that as bait - actually it would probably eat them ... but imagine the striper that could eat that thing ...

Not sure where to get a photo of it, don't think it would scan all that well.

I believe it's an American eel, or at least looks like one, not sure what eel relative looks like an oversized American eel. Same face and mouth, no teeth.

Most likely a breeder, hope he returned it.

[Cpt. Crunch]

[Rocco34520]

Thats incredible. Talk about big bait, big fish.

[Backbeach Jake]

I once found the front part of an eel in Pamet Harbor that was as long as my arm and as big around as my wrist. I've wondered since just how big one could get. 15 pounds would be a huge eel...

[keeperreaper]

Probably a conger eeel.

[redcrbbr]

Originally Posted by keeperreaper

Probably a conger eeel.

used to get them in lobster pots, insanely strong, but very tasty

[Capt.Dave]

I weighed this eel in at my shop last fall and I believe it was certified as the new world record.



Potential World Record Eel

Steven Carmen caught this 13.1 lb, 50 inch eel on the beach which he is currently doing paperwork to have classified by the IGFA as a world record. the All Tackle Record in the 2007 book is 9lb 4 ounces.

If the 15 pounder is certified I guess it will go into the book. The picture in the fisherman Magazine did look like an American Eel.

[EarnedStripes44]

I thought conger were native to the otherside of the Atlantic

[leptar]

Thats a conger eel Capt Dave and not even close to a world record...

I believe the world record is @ around 125lbs...

[leptar]

Originally Posted by EarnedStripes44

I thought conger were native to the other side of the Atlantic

Over fished on this side... Destruction of habitat from dredging... they are also extremely nocturnal they love the new moon...

[fishbones]

This Conger is 133 lbs caught in Great Britain. I think this might be the record Leptar mentioned.

It would make one heck of an eelskin plug.

[Rockport24]

you would need a little more than a 1201 Lami to cast that sucka!

[bassballer]

I would never gill that thing. I dont even enjoy the eels in my bag, never minid that thing.

[mosholu]

The guy in the tackle shop has a conger eel. You get them all the time in the UK and Ireland when fishing for cod and ling. They are probably the only thing that has not been fished out. They are very strong and can make a real mess of your line. Some people eat them and I think they find their way into more than a few fish pies but I never have except once when we had jellied eel on a dare.

[The Dad Fisherman]

I'd smother that puppy w/ Butter, Garlic, and Onions and go to town

[CaptMike]

yeah they love to fish for conger in GB there's a number of clubs and whatnot

[leptar]

8-10 2" conger steaks leave the skin on....
1 large bermuda onion diced or chopped however you like to eat it.
2-3 garlic cloves chopped
5 blanched roma tomatoes chop them when cool (stick in freezer for 1hr to make chopping easy..)
1 can of your favorite diced tomatoes Italian style
2 bay leaves whole dry is fine
a clump of parsley coarsely chopped
1 or 1-1/2lbs of red or golden potatoes cut on however you like.
seasalt and fresh ground black pepper
1-2tsp of ground wet pepper
4 cups of fish stock
olive oil (enough to brown the onion and garlic)
a pinch of saffron

I do everything in the stock pot...
in the pot add the olive oil once to temperature add the onions then the garlic. Just before it browns add all the tomatoes, bay leaves and let it simmer while stirring. about 5 minutes
Add the stock and potatoes bring it to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cover for 15 minutes then add the saffron and wet pepper and let it simmer for another 5 minutes taste broth and add salt and pepper to taste.
add the eel steaks and parsley cook(simmer) for 10-13 minutes covered and keep an eye on the steaks you want them almost flaky...
toss the bay leaves and enjoy...

I think thats everything...

[Capt.Dave]

The Picture is indeed an American Eel, it was examined by State Biologists, Ray my employee that weighed the eel and took the picture has caught plenty of congers and it wasn't.

[Polar Express]

Are you sure that old guy wasnt fishing in Loch Ness. WOW!!!!!

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

I'd smother that puppy w/ Butter, Garlic, and Onions and go to town

I hope you're referring to eating it.

[Circlehook]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

I'd smother that puppy w/ Butter, Garlic, and Onions and go to town

I hope your refering to the eel..........

[Fish_Eye]

leptar,

That sounds like a great way to cook 'em up. On the grill isn't bad either...the bigger the better.

Between 1970 and 1975 I saw a few monsters on the West Wall that could have easily gone 80 pounds or better. My eyes were wide open when I turned my dive light on one of those beasts. Nothing more exciting than a night dive with sea serpents.

[leptar]

Originally Posted by Capt.Dave

The Picture is indeed an American Eel, it was examined by State Biologists, Ray my employee that weighed the eel and took the picture has caught plenty of congers and it wasn't.

confirmed then there is nothing more to say other then, I stand corrected.... what threw me off was the color...

I know that male congers are smaller then females... In both the length and girth...

I just found out that eels coming from FW to SW to make their migration are silvery in color...


Neways.... Congrats to the angler!!..

Fish_Eye,
Thats insane... never thought of grilling them... will try next time...

[redcrbbr]

Capt. Dave congrats on the catch and getting your name in the book. That is truely one big ass eel.

[Finaddict]

Originally Posted by redcrbbr

used to get them in lobster pots, insanely strong, but very tasty

talking about eels and lobster pots ... a buddy and I had about 50 traps in high school ... one day we were out catching flounder early in the season prior to checking the traps and we caught a good size eel on a sandworm ...

... we couldn't get the hook out of its mouth, so we tried to cut it out ... after the head was about 3/4 of the way cut off, the hook fell out of the eel's mouth, it was pretty beat up ... so we added the eel to the bait bag with some frozen mackerel and whatever we had at the time ...

... we used those zinc or whatever things that dissolved in the saltwater after three days, which helped hide our bouys ... as poaching was pretty heavy around where I grew up ... three or four days later, when we picked up that stringer of pots ... the eel was still alive and kicking like crazy ...

... so we let it go, it swam off with its head barely attached but it swam strong ... it was crazy ...