conger eel
Moderator: donal domeney
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ryanwallace
conger eel
in my last post i was told torr head was a good mark for congr fishing, somwthing ive never done before but im gaggin to give it a go. was just looking for some advice on the type of bait and tackle to use and the best times of the day for doing it. does catching one really live up to the stories everyone tells?
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Liamo
Hi Ryan,
Heavy beachcaster rated for 6 - 8oz with a multiplier holding 30lb line minimum. I often step up to 50lb mainline. Seems like overkill but isn't. Some anglers get away with using boat rods but they're too short and don't allow you to exert as much control over the fish.
Rig wise a running ledger or running paternoster is all you need. Either can incorporate a rotten bottom if the ground is foul which it usually is for conger!
Snood can be of 80 - 100lb wire or 150lb mono to a strong 6/0 to 8/0 hook (Cox & Rawle meat hooks are good and very sharp or any O'Shaughnessy pattern) One tip is to carefully heat the stiff 150lb mono with a hair dryer to soften it up for tying knots but there probably isn't any need. A 3 turn grinner in 150lb mono ties up well and is very strong.
Bait wise, fresh mackerel or any fresh small fish is the usual. Mackerel head and guts are my favourite and removes the problem of small fish picking away at a lovely fresh mackerel fillet. The head and guts is supposed to be the smelliest part of the fish too apparently.
For the big boys fish at night, leave the reel in freespool/ratchet and give the fish some time to take the bait. Conger can be very finnicky at times.
Liam
Heavy beachcaster rated for 6 - 8oz with a multiplier holding 30lb line minimum. I often step up to 50lb mainline. Seems like overkill but isn't. Some anglers get away with using boat rods but they're too short and don't allow you to exert as much control over the fish.
Rig wise a running ledger or running paternoster is all you need. Either can incorporate a rotten bottom if the ground is foul which it usually is for conger!
Snood can be of 80 - 100lb wire or 150lb mono to a strong 6/0 to 8/0 hook (Cox & Rawle meat hooks are good and very sharp or any O'Shaughnessy pattern) One tip is to carefully heat the stiff 150lb mono with a hair dryer to soften it up for tying knots but there probably isn't any need. A 3 turn grinner in 150lb mono ties up well and is very strong.
Bait wise, fresh mackerel or any fresh small fish is the usual. Mackerel head and guts are my favourite and removes the problem of small fish picking away at a lovely fresh mackerel fillet. The head and guts is supposed to be the smelliest part of the fish too apparently.
For the big boys fish at night, leave the reel in freespool/ratchet and give the fish some time to take the bait. Conger can be very finnicky at times.
Liam
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chrisfeeney30
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hey, conger eels are on of my favourite to catch! i love them! depends on the size of conger you are after but you cant go wrong with a 6-8 oz heavy duty beachcaster anfd a strong multiplier, as for rigs depends if you need to cast or not to get to the congers but for close fishing(which is often the case with congers) i would use a running ledger with a rotten botton link, 200lbs hooklength and a hook form 6/0-up to 10/0!(again depends on size of conger! as for bait, i find the best bait would be a half a mackeral,mackeral head or mackeral flapper!(the fresher the better!) hope this can be some help!good luck!
chris
chris
Galway Bay S.A.C member 2012