11lb 13oz barbel from Devon river

Devon rivers aren’t known for their big barbel so Chris Lambert was understandably thrilled to catch this 11lb 13oz specimen from a south west waterway.

The 30-year-old Exeter-based plaster was targeting a spot which he had been prebaiting for carp when he hooked in to the surprise fish on his first cast of the session.

He said: “It was hugging the bottom and felt different to most of the carp which I’d previously caught. I eventually got its head up and was stunned to see a huge barbel.
“I’ve only ever heard of one double figure barbel getting caught from the river in the past.”

Chris mounted two trimmed Mainline Aromatic Fish boilies on a size 6 Fox Arma Point SSBP hook and a 15lb Coretex hooklink.