totally agree.ive spent around 20years fishing for eels.we get many perch around here at the 4lb mark but big pike(30lb plus)are rare.
30lb pike are rare anywhere Earth..... As for the eels, yea sure they like deads but try a good sized livey, just below the surface, you may find you'll catch the biggest Eel in the water! A warm muggy night with no moon and a good sized live roach (bottom lip hooked, so it lives longer) flapping about on or near the surface will do you proud. It also eliminates the smaller eels...
Dontv use a float rig, use a suspended rig, or even a good s