Giant Mottled Eel ( Anguilla marmorata )
Common Name: Freshwater Eel,
Local Name: Igat, Palos (Tagalog), Kasili (Cebuano)
Max Size: 200 cm (20.5 kgs)
Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Freshwater
Depth: 1 – 400 m
Fishing Season: All Year Long
Minimum Size Limit: None
Recommended Bait: Shrimp, Worms, Crabs, Fish, Frogs;
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
Eels are one of the most elusive and difficult to catch fish in fresh water in the Philippines. We consider freshwater eels to be one of the prize fish to catch in freshwater. The freshwater species are quite unlike their saltwater relatives which are numerous and often considered pests. Freshwater eels feed mainly at night or during storms when rivers flood and are muddy. This particular species reaches an impressive size of up to 20 kilos which makes them true river monsters. Large eels can live in small rivers and streams often in places where they are least expected. During the day the eels rest in deep holes and under rocks. At night they leave the safety of their hiding places to feed.
Freshwater eels possess another unique characteristic that makes them quite amazing. They live most of their lives in freshwater, however the migrates to the depths of the ocean to spawn. Once they have spawned they return to the freshwater and the baby eels known as elvers follow.
Try fishing for eels at night or when the river is high and muddy with large earthworms, frogs or fish.
Baby Eel from Surigao
Posted on June 9, 2011, in Eel (Igat). Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
Fishing The Philippines 
hello.
as i understand it, the freshwater eel is called ‘igat’ in tagalog.
the saltwater version is the ‘palos’.
my bulacan grandmother always stressed the difference.
however, most often people call the freshwater eel ‘palos’, which is of course incorrect.
the crescent grunter is mostly called ‘bagaong’ in the visayas but ‘bugaong’ in tagalog. just a small difference.
thanks.
for those who are interested of Eel fish call me at 09295591467