13lb 6oz barbel from River Thames

This 13lb 6oz barbel was caught by Paul Le Croissette during a session on the River Thames.

The Surrey-based owner of Forking Good Catapults baited a spot on the waterway with a bed of small pellets and then cast a legered 12mm halibut pellet over the top.

The first couple of hours passed without event but his rod was almost ripped off the rest towards the end of the trip.

“It just kept stripping line off my reel and I instantly knew I was in to a big fish. I’ve landed barbel to 14lb 9oz but this was among the most stunning I’ve ever had,” said Paul, who used 15lb mainline and a 2ft hooklink to a size 12 hook.

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