advice needed

[big guy]

hi there all.

i need some advice about congering. i've never done it before and don't really know diddly squat about how to hook one.

my friends just got a boat that he keeps in ramsgate harbour. apparenetly when the harbour used to get drained they found a fair few congers left floundering in the mud. so i'm thinking that there might be a few in there now.

so what i need to know is all the basics. what sort of rod could i use (i don't want to spend too much money yet), what reel (would a abu 7500 do), hooks, main line, wire/ mono, bait, etc.

would ground bait be worth while and made from what? i'm gonna fish for the eels while mainly fishing for mullet/ bass so i will have the time to experiment.

also how do you unhook the buggers if i do actually catch one.

cheers for any advice.

[Drew]

Hi Big guy,

A 20 - 30lb class boat rod with your 7500 loaded with 30 - 40lb braid will suffice. Your trace should be 80 - 100lb mono with a minimum 8/0 Varivas hook. Do not use stainless hooks as they do not rot, and if you have to cut the trace and leave the hook in the Congers mouth it won't rot. I personally use 80lb wire traces but it is a matter of opinion.

To unhook a Conger, always wear a good quality leather glove and use a "T" bar unhooking tool.

If you have to subdue the Conger in order to unhook it, give its tail a good whack with a wooden club. This won't harm it but will keep it quiet for a few minutes whilst you do the business.

The ideal bait is fresh Mackerel or Pouting, either as a flapper or whole with a few cuts to let out the juices.

When the fish is hooked, you must not let it return to its lair. Once back in its hole you will never budge it. Try not to let out any line whilst keeping your line tight, it will eventually give a little and that is when you must retrieve.

With over 1800 members I am sure that you will receive more advice, but the above works for me, and I have caught quite a few over the years, the biggest clocking the sales at over 50kgms.

Cheers

Drew

[big guy]

do you bother with ground bait? i thought it might be worth it as there's no tide, wouldn't cost much and put in a bag and hung over the boat 24/7.

and would mono mainline be ok as there's no tide or casting involved?

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Drews nailed it esp on the hooks , the only little things I would add is

- make sure you swivels and clips are upto it as a conger give a great fight

- best bait Ive found is a whole mackeral flapper hooked through its eyes . If I remember I will take a photo of this as Im out on the 30th and will target conger on the slack water

- Little thing when handling conger ( small ones 10-30lb ) is to tickle thier sides as this seems to carm them down a bit


Ive never tried ground baiting for conger as all mine are from wrecks or reefs , but must be worth a go on slack water when the conger come out to play

[Drew]

Hi Big guy,

My objection to groundbaiting is that it attracts lots of other fish as well as "The Conger", you will then reduce the odds of catching. Your single bait against maybe 1 - 30 or even more of whatever.

I would stick to my Macky Flapper and keep my fingers crossed.

Roll on the Bream season!!!

Cheers

Drew

[gullyworm]

Only ever caught one conger (30lb) and that was whilst fishing for whiting with a 12lb class boat rod 2olb snoods and size 1/0 hooks
So my advice is fish small hooks small bait and light line with rod to match

[Drew]

Hi Gully,

Whilst fishing on Meridian Express I witnessed a young soldier bring a 55 pounder on board using a Shimano 12lb Exage 4 piece Travel rod coupled with an Abu 5000 reel. He was fishing for Black Bream.

Not the ideal setup for targeting Conger. Everyone to there own.

Regards

Drew

[gullyworm]

Its sods law mate,i was anchored in sandown bay at the time,one rod out with a big flapper and i was messing about with 3 hooks and small macky baits.
I caught sod all on the big bait

[big guy]

cheers for all the edvice guys, it's apreciated.

just 1 last question - alot of the anglers that target shore conger say they only fish in darkness, any views on this?

[Portland Pirate]

I would agree with that. I only go after them when it is dark. The shore Conger seem to be more of a nocturnal fish. It maybe that they have such good eyesite that in shallow clear water they can see the terminal tackle.