[Willy]

We've all likely pulled eels up in our nets. In a 'yak your net goes in your lap, with an eel or not.

Last night I was on my boat, not my 'yak, and pulled an eel out so big he wouldn't shake out of the net. As thick around as my thigh. The pot also had upwards of 20 bugs in it, so I took my chances and brought them ALL onto the deck of the boat, including the eel.

Like a dummy, when the eel wasn't cooperating I tried the behind the head grab, like a snake to toss him into my fishing net to get him over.

Caveat...I'm a country boy, with lots of experience handling snakes and what ever other kind of animal you can think of. So I wasn't flying totally blind.

The lesson here: Don't mess with the eels. Let the pot go back over the side, lose the bugs, whatever. This almost took my whole thumb off, his bite easily into the bone. Imagine what they can do to your femoral artery or your family jewels when there is an eel in your lap.

Just be careful out there!!!!