Barbel famine ends with 14lb specimen

This superb 14lb barbel was certainly worth the wait for Mark Smith on a stretch of the River Nene.
The Peterborough & District Angling Association bailiff had already packed away most of his gear and was only seconds from reeling in his rod when it was almost ripped off the rest by his biggest specimen for two seasons.
His winning hookbait was a Pandemic boilie from Mad Baits, attached to a rig made from 10lb mainline, an 8lb hooklink and a size 10 hook.
“Barbel fishing has been hard work at times this season on the lower Nene, so I had been after chub until I decided to have another go, and I’m glad I did,” he said.