Mr. X, catching them is really not hard....it's the surviving the eel lottery that's the issue!
It always pays to recce the hole on the first drop, second drop try to come from behind them and shoot your hand very quickly over and with a lot of conviction for grabbing hold of at least one, two if possible! I also then use this opportunity for another look in the hole to make sure this has not in fact really flushed an eel. If nothing then drop again after a couple of minutes on top letting them settle again, but this time you really want both hands working as fast as you can.
With our crayfish it's a given that you use thinish gloves for 'feel' and that helps when you are at this stage because by now they are really burying themselves into the nooks and crannies. You work by getting your fingers and thumbs right in behind them and really manipulating them out in an almighty tug of war. Our crays also have two nasty little sharp horns on their head which ALLWAYS jab your thumb so you get used to it! Clear that hole, but keep in mind your own safety at all times.
