Well after a failed attempt at fishing for the eel, and looking at removing 200lbs of live rock, we decided we needed a bigger boat.
So Barry brought out a steel leader and we managed to humanely hook him. Somewhere during this I was grabbing him to help Barry take the hook out. A few times. In the end, Barry was able to snip the barb, and pull the hook without injury. I have three wounds.
I think the eel will be fine, and he is in a container for the night.
If I thought he would be okay there for a bit, dunl, maybe you could still get him ??