American Eels in the Ohio

[RoadToad]

Any one catch these guys or specifically target them? I enjoy catching the oddball fish every now and then. Plus I hear they are mighty tastey! Any tips?!

The only tip I would give you is don't try targeting them using a rod and reel. I've caught them in salt or brackish water when I was fishing for something else, and they're a real pain. By the time you get one landed, your line will be one big giant ball of slime, and you'll have to re-rig. I'm sure there's some kind of trap out there you could use. When I was a kid we used to pull them up in our crab traps all the time.

[JD7.62]

Thanks for the responses guys, and yes, the American Eel is an AMAZING fish. They travel thousands and thousands of miles from birth to death.

I see Rosy every now and then at BPS, always at the same spot in the beaver dam. I wonder if/when she reaches sexually maturity her drive to mate and return to the sea will be so strong that she leaves the "creek" and ends up mummified in BPS somewhere!

I like eating fish pretty much as much as I like catching them and keeping them in aquariums and because I didnt see anything about them being protected as of yet, I might have to get out there one night and see if I cant catch one of these slime balls for the frying pan!

[RoadToad]

I might have to get out there one night and see if I cant catch one of these slime balls for the frying pan!

I commend you for being adventurous! If you do catch and eat one, please do come back and let us know how it goes. Just be warned that all that slime makes them REALLY hard to handle, alive or dead, and it's going to end up all over you. And removing it is not easy, either from the fish or your clothes. Me, I'd love to try it some time, but I think I'll get mine from a fish market

[JD7.62]

I commend you for being adventurous! If you do catch and eat one, please do come back and let us know how it goes. Just be warned that all that slime makes them REALLY hard to handle, alive or dead, and it's going to end up all over you. And removing it is not easy, either from the fish or your clothes. Me, I'd love to try it some time, but I think I'll get mine from a fish market

Haha I do see them sold alive at a couple different Asian Grocery stores (great place to shop for fish and bait!!) around town, might be easier to do that! Still would have to deal with the slime though lol

I might would even have to throw one in one of my fish tank!

[fcfishman]

I just read where the world record for American Eels is 9.25 lbs!!! That would sure wake you up at night when you threw it in the boat!