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Eel Fishing

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 Fish New Zealand Charming Creek Adventures West Coast New Zealand
Eel Fishing: Check out what is waiting for you

Species, Distribution and Maximum Sizes
Fishing
Best Season
Equipment
Booking

Eels like this one are common
Eels like this one are common

Species, Distribution and Maximum Sizes

Species common name New Zealand long-fin eel Short-fin eel Australian long-fin eel
Species Latin name Anguilla dieffenbachii Anguilla australis Anguilla reinhardtii
Distribution Throughout New Zealand Throughout New Zealand Top half of the West Coast of the North Island
Maximum Size 200cm long,
more than 25 kilograms 		130cm,
7.5 kilograms 		160 cm long
17 kilograms
Maximum Age 106 years 32 years 41 years
Comments Unique to New Zealand   Quite rare

Fishing
Although short-fin and long-fin eels look similar, they have different habits and inhabit different waters. We concentrate our fishing efforts mainly towards catching big New Zealand long-fin eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii). The fishing is all done with rod and reel and almost all fish are released. The most common way to catch these eels is with bait, but we have caught great eels with the fly rod using a nymph and once (believe it or not) an eel was caught using a dry fly.

Not a big one, but caught on a fly
Not a big one, but caught on a fly
  		Fighting a good eel
Fighting a good eel
 

Best Season
The warmer months (October to April) are best, but good eels can be caught all year round.

Equipment
Same as at home, but bring your strongest outfit. Burley and bait have to be bought in New Zealand!

Booking
"We can pretty much guarantee that you will catch the biggest eel of your life."

Book a "giant eel" fishing trip

Clear water and a dirty fight
Clear water and a dirty fight 		This monster is waiting for you
This monster is waiting for you

It was the worst salmon season New Zealand had experienced for years and a disgruntled tourist angler held up his single salmon."I have come half way round the world to catch this one damn salmon, so I reckon it has cost me at least $5000." "Bloomin' lucky you only caught one then, hey," said his guide.
  

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© Charming Creek Adventures Fly Fishing Tours, Rowan Cottage, 10 Scarborough Tce, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
Enquiries to:   Mobile: 021 211 3462    Phone: 03 315 7668 / 03 782 1889    Fax: 03 315 7668    Email: serge@fishnewzealand.com