Weymouth is a great place to come fishing for Congers, mainly because of Portland Bill. Portland itself, sticks out into the English Channel some seven miles and roughly runs north to south. The tides in the Channel run approximately east to west and vice versa. This means, that irrespective of a spring tide, there is always a slack water, or an impending slack water, either on the west side of the Island if the tide is ebbing, or on the east side of the Island if the tide is flooding. So if the weather conditions allow, you can usually get on the good rough ground marks, on one of the many wrecks, or in the famous Deep Hole.
My methods are very straightforward…I would use a 50lb class rod fitted with a Shimano 2 speed (TLD 20 or 30) and loaded with 60lb braid tied to about 10 metres of 50-60lb Shock Leader. I know, I know, you hate braid…well I don't, and if you want to catch some snakes around here, you need to get used to it. You see, the strong tides and considerable depth of water make the use of mono-filament line a waste of time unless you have a slack water…frankly it's a bit like fishing with elastic.
I would agree, however, that when hooked, you have a much better chance of landing a big eel if you are fishing with mono. This is because mono is much more forgiving, insomuch that it stretches and therefore if you make a mistake or say bully the eel too much, then you are far more likely to get away with it than if you were using braid. It is for that reason that I say that the use of braided line, helps you become a better angler as well as helps you feel the bottom, especially in this area.
I would set my drag fairly tight…but not murdered up, if you know what I mean. I use 200lb mono traces which I usually tie up myself. I always encourage the lads on my boat to use mono traces instead of wire…the reason for this is that the wire can cut other lines it may get tangled with, and also when it comes time to release the eel at the side of the boat, the wire traces are unfriendly to my wrist when I am T-barring the fish off.
I find an 8/0 Meathook or O'Shaunhassy usually does the job if you use Mackerel flappers for bait. Of course if you want to present a whole Pouting then you would need at least a 10/0, so that the hooks barb is exposed sufficiently.
When fishing a wreck for eels, I like to time my arrival when the tide is still running quite hard. I have found that when the boat speed on the drift, (allowing for wind) is about 1.6 or 1.7 knots, then that's the time to put the hook down.
Most of the English Channel from Portland to Alderney is about 250 feet deep and at 1.6 knots of tide I can assure you, even with braid, you will need to use 2lbs. of lead to hold the bottom…even then you will have to trot back about 3 or 4 times before the lead comes to rest. When trotting back, try to 'pick up' the weight from the seabed with the rod high, and then free-spool the line until the weight makes contact with the bottom. This way, you won't form a 'belly' of line between the weight and the rod tip.
So…we have anchored the boat with the tide speed dropping. This means that over the period we are fishing, we will be able to reduce the amount of lead we need to a more comfortable 10oz say. I would have positioned the boat to lie, exactly up-tide of the wreck by about 60metres. This may seem a long distance to some of you, but I find it works well and we don't loose gear in the wreck. Don't worry, the snakes will soon come out from the wreck when the scent trail of the baits reaches them. At least then you have the eels on your terms…out in the open. This way, you don't need the drag on your reel murdered up because you're afraid of the eel running for the wreck. With the drag set correctly and assuming the eel is properly hooked, you should win the game!
Now for the bite…the classic Conger 'take' is very slow. It starts off with a gentle pull, and as the eel becomes more interested so the intensity of the pulls become greater. This is the time to be cool…you must wait…don't be too quick or you'll loose it…I can hear myself yelling at a novice angler as I'm writing this…NOT YET! …sorry lads!
When an angler asks me when to strike, this is my reply…Never! Not with braid anyway…I tell them to wait until they have to rescue the rod from leaping over the gunwales, and then, and only then, raise the rod smartly and hold on.
It is at this point that the Conger is very upset and is at his fittest…don't fight him when he's fighting you. After a short time…depending on how spunky the eel is, you will be able to gain some line. From here on, you should carefully 'pump' the eel to the surface, making sure that you never allow slack line between the rod tip and the eel. Be prepared for a serious dive or two during the proceedings. If she runs, for God's sake don't put your thumb on the reel to stop it…that's why you set the clutch in the first place!
The next bit seems hard for all but the most experienced Conger anglers. When the eel comes to the surface and is exhausted you need to take care of two things…firstly the boat…you can't take your eyes off your catch and in the meantime the 2lb lead is either beating up the boat or worse still, belting the skipper or crew round the head!
Try to put your rod in your right hand and hold your lead weight with your left, thus bring it under control. The skipper will now release the eel back to the water after estimating the weight.
If the boat is anchored correctly, you should be in for a really good session…I have found that usually, when the tide is running quite hard, you will catch mostly small eels…say to 35lb, with the odd exception of course. It's when the tide goes slack and the boat begins to gently swing away, that the larger eels begin to come. This is the time to put down a Pout or two! Remember, with a whole Pout for bait, you will need to let the Conger munch away for longer than if you were using a flapper.
I have fished some wrecks where we have caught eels steadily through the tide and through the slack water and amazingly, when the boat turns away from the wreck because the next tide has begun, we have still caught eels…by this time the boat can be anything up to 150 metres away from the wreck!
There…I'm exhausted now, and that's just writing about it…it's a great feeling to have tackled a big eel, got it to the surface and then released it to fight another day…I know, I've released thousands!
Anyway boys, enjoy your Conger fishing this season, and remember, every eel you return has a chance of being there for your children to have some sport with at another time.
To check out a video on Conger Fishing aboard Tiger Lily, go to Tiger Lily Movies
Last Updated: Thu Aug 23 2007