Surprise, Surprise-Wolf Eel!

[Robbo]

They're schwacking king salmon all around us yesterday and "Oila"...we finally hook up. Heavy head thumps, a little shake and bake, peel a little line, and then..."WTF is that "

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She measured about 5 feet long and when I tried to grab it and lift it in the boat it went for my hand. Uh...no thanks. I cut the line and off it went. I've heard these creatures are good eating. Anyone out there ever tasted one? This is the second wolf eel we've seen come out of this spot in the last few days. Sandy bottom and 70 feet deep. Strange brew!

[Smalma]

Cool - I have seen a couple caught years ago in the Straits. They have some wicked looking teeth.

I too have heard they are good to eat (they used to be harvested in Washington but are retention of wolf eels is now prohibited). I have eaten Moray eels and was surprised that they were not bad - just hard to get past the thought of eating them.

Tight lines
Curt

[Robbo]

I had plans to keep it until it tried to take my hand off and then thought otherwise. It had what looked like small eggs in it's mouth. Very strange and ugly looking fish!

[Nelly]

Those things are just off-the-charts ugly!
The sandy bottom location is surprising, I thought they were most likely found in structure.
Glad you still have your hand...and a good story to tell!

[Jeff]

Yep... one of my fishing buddies would get a wolf eel in his crab pot every now and then in Westport. He smoked them and they were pretty damn good for as ugly and ruthless as they are. Not sure if I'd want to try one cooked any other way though....

Tight Lines

[Salmonhawk]

I'm with Smalma, I don't think I could get past the thought of eating one but I have know doubt that Nelly could.

[Robbo]

Nelly will eat anything for one of these

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[stam]

Cheap date.. (grin)

I snagged a 4 footer in the middle years ago up in Port Hardy while jigging for lings, I grabbed it right behind the ears with a towel thinking I could get my jig out, it started snapping its fangs then wrapped my arm like a snake and freaked me out.....I shook it off and cut the line, good riddance Wolf Eel.

[cobble cruiser]

Yikes!

[Robbo]

I almost screamed like a little girl when it snapped at me Stam. Slim was nearby though and I managed to keep it in