After seeing a large eel swim past his feet whilst tench fishing, Steve Grinham has been in pursuit of the monster fish and this week took what could have been the culprit – a specimen eel of 5lb 2oz.

Steve was fishing a close in spot on a Hertfordshire Stillwater when the big serpent picked up his bait, he told Angling Times: “It’s been tough conditions for the tench but the eels are certainly worth targeting. I knew there was big fish in here and have heard of larger fish caught.”

The superb specimen fell to a legered lobworm on a size 6 wide gape hook, this was fished over a pint of dead reds and some pellets which Steve believes are a great attractor for eels. His tactics also resulted in another large eel of 4lb 8oz.