16lb 12oz barbel takes bait just six feet from the bank

A hookbait lowered in just six feet from the bank saw Jerry Gleeson smash his barbel personal best with this impressive 16lb 12oz specimen.

Targeting a stretch of the River Derwent, he started his session by introducing a bed of MAD Baits Pandemic pellets and broken boilies, then left his swim to settle before starting to fish.

When the time felt right a single 14mm Pandemic dumbell and a PVA bag filled with pellets and broken baits was carefully dropped on the spot – and minutes later the huge fish fell into his carefully-laid trap.

“It’s my target fish, and to have it at such a big weight so early in the season is a right result,” said Jerry.

“I found a deep crevice in the riverbed earlier in the year where the fish tend to hold up, and this is where I had her from. It goes to show that doing your homework and knowing the make-up of your chosen spot can really pay off.”

It beats his previous personal best, a 14lb 12oz River Trent fish.

The Stockport specialist took his latest specimen on a running rig with a fluorocarbon hooklink and a hookbait on a long hair.

“By fishing a longer hair rig you get more positive bites, and it helps deter chub which can be a pest when you’re setting your stall out for big barbel,” Jerry told Angling Times.

“I always set myself a goal at the start of the season and this barbel is right up there with the best moments of my angling career.”