Patience finally pays with a 12lb 15oz barbel

A long wait for his first barbel of the season ended when Kevin Durman banked this personal-best 12lb 15oz specimen from a southern chalk stream.

The Korum-backed angler had visited his local waterway every week since June 16, but the barbel had refused to co-operate on each occasion.

Finally, visiting a spot prebaited with Sonubaits Hemp n Spicy Sausage and 6mm halibut pellets, he positioned his rig and an hour later the tip hooped over and a testing battle saw him come out on top.

Kevin said: “It is the sort of venue where you get only one chance – get it wrong and you will spook the fish and it is game over straight away.”