10 great tips for barbel fishing after dark
Take a look at Dai Gribble's best tips for catching barbel after dark...
Most of my summer barbel fishing consists of short evening sessions, fishing into dark.
For me this is the perfect time as it coincides with feeding time for the fish, and in summer you can get a bit of fishing in even if you’ve spent the day in the office.
Rather than rove the banks after dark I prefer to select a swim, bait it up, then stay there until the end of the session. Not only is this much the safest way to fish, but I’ve found it to be more productive than a mobile approach.
However, by choosing this single swim approach, it’s vital that you choose a swim where you think barbel will be close enough to be drawn to your bed of bait.
That means you’ve got to find a swim which offers a number of fish-holding features, both above and below the surface.
Swims to look for include areas with tree cover, creases where faster water passes by slow water at the side of the river, and any area where the depth increases, creating a place for barbel to hold up in.
Success with most big fish is rarely instant, so you need to be prepared to put some time and effort in to locate the areas that big barbel are likely to inhabit. Then it is a case of fishing these areas in turn.
You’ll find that time spent walking the river prior to a fishing trip is never wasted.
Gradually you will build up a picture of where the barbel are likely to be, but bear in mind that in different conditions, especially higher flows, they may move considerable distances.
If you’ve never fished into dark, there are a few tips that can make life much easier... here are mine.
1) Bait up and wait
I like to leave my baited area for at least half-an-hour before casting in to allow any barbel time to move on to the bait and start feeding – although on many venues I have found bites rarely occur before the light levels begin to drop.
The longer you leave it before casting, the less likely you are to spook any fish that have moved over the baited area. Spooked fish may leave the swim altogether, so it pays to be cautious.
2) Be organised
This is vital. Make sure you know where everything you are likely to need is, and that it’s set up so you can easily grab it when you need to. This includes baiting needles, hair stops, baits, and any rig accessories, plus your unhooking gear – you don’t want to be scrambling around for things in the dark, as it’s a recipe for disaster.
3) Check the skyline
Be aware of features on the far bank or horizon which you will be able to pick out on even the darkest nights – this will help you when it comes to recasting your rig after dark. These can be something obvious like the chimney stack in the pic or a taller tree or gap in the trees.
4) Bag up beforehand
Making PVA mesh bags of bait can be fiddly enough in the light, so it pays to make up lots of bags in advance. Store them in a watertight bucket or bait box and keep them close to your hookbaits.
5) Save your vision
Wear your headtorch all the time – don’t wait until you need it to start looking for it in the dark! Only use the headtorch when necessary. It is surprising how much you can see once your eyes have adjusted to the dark.
If your headtorch has a red light option then try using it, as it will help protect your night vision.
6) Watch the tip
I always use an isotope on my rod top in the dark to help see what is going on. Most barbel bites are unmistakable but an isotope will help you see any small knocks and rattles.
It will also help you to see how much the rod is bending, which is a good way of telling if drifting weed is building up on your line.
Obviously, a large raft of weed will necessitate a recast, but often lots of smaller strands build up gradually. Being able to see the rod tops helps you assess just how much weed there is on the line.
7) Always use alarms
Bite alarms will alert you to bites if you are distracted, for example, when you’re busy baiting up another rod or watching the water. Out of courtesy to others, always set the volume as low as possible when night fishing.
8) Plan for fish
It’s vital to ensure that you and any fish you catch remain safe in the dark, so make sure you set up your swim to include a safe area where you can land fish. The last thing you want is to slip down the bank into the water at night.
Ensure your landing net is readily grabbable and that you know your route to the unhooking mat and tools.
9) Don’t weigh everything!
Weighing and photographing fish is more difficult in the dark, so use a landing net with a deep mesh that allows you to rest fish in the water while you get prepared.
I will only weigh and photograph exceptional fish. Does it matter if a fish weighs 8lb 8oz or 9lb if you have previously caught lots bigger than that?
10) Keep bait sealed
This might sound simple, but over the years I’ve learned the hard way just how important it is to keep your bait in sealed containers.
PVA bags will quickly ruin if you get a bit of rain, and you can’t believe how many slugs can appear seemingly from nowhere at the first sign of a bit of moisture and the smell of a boilie!
Using sealed tubs also means that if you do knock over a bait tub or bucket you won’t lose all your bait for the session ahead!