How to catch Eels?

[Eric]

First a little background. I primarily fish the Missouri River, right about in the center of the country. I am interested in just about any fish that swims, and the American Eel is one fish I just don't know much about. I understand their life history, and I know that occasionally one will migrate this far up the river. But my experience with them is limited to a single catch, on a throwline, over 20 years ago when I was just a teenager. I've never seen another caught since, by anyone, so I know they are not very common in "my" waters. All the same, they are present in limited numbers. I would greatly appreciate any insights that might help me to one day catch another.
What habitat and depths are most likely to hold an eel? What baits are most likely to draw an eel's interest? What would you consider the best time of year to catch an eel? Heavy current or backwaters? It would seem they are they likely to use wood and rocks as cover, I simply have very little experience to go off.
I realize there are probably places where eels are common enough that they could even be considered a nuisance, and I am hoping those who fish these areas can point me in the right direction...

[bass or bass?]

Althiugh I've never caught one myself, I have seen people catch them in Florida. The environment where I saw them caught was slack current, muddy bottom with grassy vegetation. They were caught on worms and minnows. Hope this is of some help.
I too would like to catch an eel but they are strictly an east coast fish so I doubt I ever will.

[WildernessWomen]

I caught one down in Florida last year. Muddy backwater grasses, on a Mud minnow. Being at a location closer to where their life cycle begins, it is much easier to catch one. The gentleman we fished with told us that had been the third one caught in that area in just a couple months. Way up here is going to be a challenge for sure. Good Luck Eric, I know you have been after this one for awhile. :)

[toadfrog]

Believe it or not back in the 50's and 60's my grandfather caught several out of some of the ceeks and streams around here . Don't know how they got in this country but they were here . Since a lot of the water ways have changed since then I've never seen any more . I do know he netted them when the water was running in the spring .

[bass or bass?]

Well Toadfrog, being Atlantic ocean coastline fish, they must have migrated up the Rio Grande into your area! shrug :confused:

[cwd]

I remember a while back a year or so. I watched a show on PBS called California's Gold
They were talking about an area up around the California Oregon border.
Where a certain Indain Tribe catches the eels for food. They showed one guy useing a line to catch them
during low tide. He would spot an eel and throw the line out and I guess he snagged them.
I have also seen some vids. on youtube showing eels.
You may find some help on youtube. Good luck.

[bass or bass?]

I'll have to look in my fish field guide to see what type of eel that would be cwd as the American Eel is strictly an east coast tributaries fish. I'll update when I've done my research. My two cents

[cwd]

BorB, If I remember right I think they called it possably a lamprey eel.
I'm not sure.

[bass or bass?]

OK, that makes sense. Lampreys are on both coasts. They have no jaws so you wouldn't be able to catch them in traditional ways. Don't know why anyone would want to catch one anyway. They're exceptionally slimy parasitic creatures. Disgusting!uhh

[cwd]

I remember the Host of the show saying they were very slimy.
He also made a face like this is not good. When he ate some of the eel.
Seeing how this fish has no jaw, would explaine why they were snagging them.
Thanks for the info.

[bass or bass?]

Hey cwd, what are you doing here!!! You're supposed to be fishing with bluegillgirl today!!!!!-no- :confused:

[cwd]

Mother Nature had different Ideas.
she made sure we stayed home.
we went from a nice sunny 65 efrees all week to lower 40's this morning with high winds.
with gust up to 50 mph.
So we stayed home. With my health problems right now. I will have to be a fair weather
fisherman this season.
when we get out I know I will have some pictures to post. ( I hope I hope I hope !!!)

[bass or bass?]

Well it's more important to take care of yourself. I'm headed to Pennsylvania in 10 days driving right through where the 2 big highway accidents were there yesterday .
Going to the huge Arizona Sportsmen's Expo today with Sarah. Should be fun. :D

[pickeral63]

Smoked eels are fantastic!!! I used to catch them in the Farmington River in CT on worms.

But one thing for sure, don't do like my father did. DO NOT put a net under them. They will twist themselves in it and you'll wind up cutting the net to get them out.

[dugger]

OK, that makes sense. Lampreys are on both coasts. They have no jaws so you wouldn't be able to catch them in traditional ways. Don't know why anyone would want to catch one anyway. They're exceptionally slimy parasitic creatures. Disgusting!uhh
Except to another eel huh!! They catch them for bait, so there has to be a hoop net involved somewhere would be my guess but now im curious!!
,shrug

[dugger]

OK, that makes sense. Lampreys are on both coasts. They have no jaws so you wouldn't be able to catch them in traditional ways. Don't know why anyone would want to catch one anyway. They're exceptionally slimy parasitic creatures. Disgusting!uhh
Except to another eel huh!! They catch them for bait, so there has to be a hoop net involved somewhere would be my guess but now im curious!!
,shrug