Type of sand eel

[nbeagle]

While fishing from Southwick / Shoreham (UK) a couple of nights ago with black lug, I caught a little eel, about 6" long. It wasn't like the sand eels you buy in packets: it had a rounder nose, a slightly fat belly, and a long soft fin, top and bottom, all the way down to the tip of it's tail. I'm aware that more than one species of eel gets labeled as "sand eel", but I'm curious as to exactly which species this is, and how I can get more of them (other than fishing with lug in the same spot).

The reason being that I used it as bait, and caught an 11lb bass with it. I guess the particular species may not be as important as how to get hold of more fresh eels, but I'm curious about the former, nonetheless.

[pingu]

not sure on eel there, but great bass

dave

[fishypaul]

i had a similar sort of thing a few years ago,my mate called it a greater sand eel or launce,
does that sound about right guys ?

[geejayy]

i'm not sure without a piccy , but you could look here-

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aquarium/

the ' fat belly ' makes me say take a look at the various species of rockling

hope this helps ya , gord.

ps well done on the bass

[KKK]

There are alot of possibilites for that fish a picture would be required for me. As you are the one that saw it I would look on the aquarium website, the link is above, maybe one of the band fish type, what colour was it?

[philipn]

sounds like a launce to me bass love them

[nbeagle]

Thanks for all your prompt replies.

Had a look at some of those pictures, and the only possible match I've seen is just a small common eel. The launce look like they have too pointy a nose - though I haven't seen a great photo to confirm this. From the shape and colour it looks to have been a common eel.

Wish I'd taken a photo, but it didn't seem of that much interest until I found out what excellent bait it made. I'll endevour to catch more.

[philipn]

green top white/silver underside fin all round small gut yup common eel yup bass love them as well

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by nbeagle

Thanks for all your prompt replies.

Had a look at some of those pictures, and the only possible match I've seen is just a small common eel. The launce look like they have too pointy a nose - though I haven't seen a great photo to confirm this. From the shape and colour it looks to have been a common eel.

Wish I'd taken a photo, but it didn't seem of that much interest until I found out what excellent bait it made. I'll endevour to catch more.

Deffo not a launce as i've caught shedloads on shrimp rigs in Alderney..as suggested above , my money is on a silver eel ( not sure exactly what a "common" eel is lol....was it wearing a shellsuit? )

[KKK]

Originally Posted by scottish_and_mental

Deffo not a launce as i've caught shedloads on shrimp rigs in Alderney..as suggested above , my money is on a silver eel ( not sure exactly what a "common" eel is lol....was it wearing a shellsuit? )

Common eel and silver eel are same thing. (However I am sure someone will argue) Different regional variations possibble river and river/sea name

You could probably buy elvers at a local fishmarket or find out when they run up rivers in your area and catch a few with a fine mesh landing net or simmilar