how to handle a conger

Hi, I enjoy catching the odd conger, nothing too big yet, (thankfully ) I notice in some of the photos posted by others that the common way to hold one up for a photo seems to be to lift it with fingers in the opening below the pectoral fin, this has been fine for the little ones but the few I,ve had over 10lb seem to be a lot more angry and so far I haven't had the courage to attemt this, which is a problem as I plan to target them a few times this winter and if I do get anything decent will obviously want a photo for my efforts before the fish is safely returned. So in short, advice please on how to approach conger(and yes I do realise that most replys will tell me to grow a pair! )

u shud get a pic of u with him before u unhook the hook.hold him by the trace.thats wat i do and i also weight him with he trace to aswell.then to unhook just get a firm grip.i used a towel and throw it over him.this helps u get a better hold than slipping all the time.grap him at the back of the head and unhook him with wats ever needed.pliers,forcepts or degorger etc.oh and watch the tail as well while u r unhooking him.if its goin crazy put a bit of pressure on it 2 or get some1 to help.always handy havin sum1 with u when ur catching conger

An old pair of gloves helps with them slipping out of your hands. You can lift them by the trace before you remove the hook but if they decide to flip out you could damage your fingers. I bruised my hand badly like that before. Or the line could cut through your hand if not wearing gloves, also happened to me and can cut pretty deep if your hands are wet which makes the skin softer. I don't really like the idea of supporting that kind of weight on the congers gills so i try to just lift them below the jaws with gloves on to stop them slipping and with not too much pressure to strangle the eel. Or else support the weight of the fish by lying it across both arms or up on one knee and across both arms if he's a real beast. I wouldn't be too worried about them as long as ya keep your hands outta their mouths. I tend to just try and do whatever will leave the fish in best condition and not stress it any more than i already did my hooking it.

Thanks lads, that all sounds a bit more managable

this site might help a bit http://www.britishcongerclub.org.uk/tbarthatconger.htm