Pellets woo big barbel

A handful of pellets was all that Steve Stratton needed to tempt this 15lb 8oz barbel from the River Loddon.

The Farnborough rod decided against laying down a large carpet of loosefeed and instead introduced a few halibuts over the top of his 15mm hookbait.

Within less than an hour of starting, the rod tip tapped several times before it viciously wrapped round.

“I had a break of over two decades from the sport, but I got back into it several years ago and it’s moments like this that make me glad I got involved again,” said Steve, who fell just 7oz short of beating his personal best with the capture.