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This maybe of use and maybe not... for eel fishing on the Severn. Please correct if wrong !
Also, it is worth checking out if keepnets are to be used!

I interperate the below as no float can be used and only a larger specific sized hook gape can be used and there are bait restrictions by law!

In Upper Severn Area, when fishing for eels during the coarse fish close season (15 March to 15 June, inclusive)

no floats may be used and only artificial or natural flies, lures, minnows, worms, prawns or shrimps may be used as bait.

Rivers - non-migratory trout

groundbait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time;

maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are not allowed

A Guide to the Rod Fishing Byelaws

for the Midlands Region

6. LURES AND BAITS

(Byelaw 11) i) in fishing with rod and line for salmon in the Severn area use any float in conjunction with any lure or bait.

No person shall -

ii) in fishing with rod and line for trout or any fish other than

freshwater fish during the annual close season for freshwater

fish, use any float or bait (which term includes ground bait)

other than artificial or natural fly (which term excludes

bloodworms, jokers and other midge larvae), spinners,

minnows, worms, prawns or shrimps.

NB. "any fish other than freshwater fish" excludes salmon for the

purpose of this byelaw (see section 3).

This only applies to those waters which have a close season, ie. rivers,

streams, drains and canals. There are no statutory bait restrictions on

stillwaters.

So, if you wish to fish for eels on rivers during the coarse fish

close season, you may do so providing that you use the above baits, do

not use a float and use a hook with a gape of at least 0.5 inch

(12.7mm).

iii) in fishing with rod and line for freshwater fish and eels between

8th October and 31st December (both dates inclusive) use live

or dead fish baits, worms, prawns, spinners or other artificial

lures (except artificial flies) in the following rivers:

- the River Vyrnwy, upstream of Meifod Bridge (SJ156128)

- all tributaries of the River Vyrnwy upstream of Llanymynech

(SJ268205)

- the River Severn, upstream of Penstrowed railway bridge

(SO074911)

- all tributaries of the River Severn upstream of Cilcewydd bridge

(SJ228041)

This byelaw aims to minimise the accidental or deliberate catching of

salmon by rod and line in the main salmon spawning areas during the

spawning period. Other baits and methods, such as float and maggot

for coarse fish and artificial flies for grayling, can still be used at this

time.

Any person who in fishing for salmon, trout, fresh water fish

or eels, uses as bait crayfish of any species whether alive or

dead, or parts thereof, shall be guilty of an offence.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/midlands_byelaws_795945.pdf