How do you deal with eels? How do you catch them? Like, what if while im transporting the eel to my tank and it gets out.. would it be like trying to handle a snake?

I have a chance to get an eel for almost free, but it's still small and about 10-12 inches. This gives me a chance to drain out the tank, catch some of the fish and sell them to friends and keep the ones I want. I'm going to finish my canopy and make the tank eel proof