It’s not a barbel, but he’s not complaining

Christmas was filled with surprises for Laurence Mason when a barbel fishing trip to the River Lea resulted in the capture of this monster 7lb 1oz chub.
Fresh from netting two barbel of 15lb and 14lb 11oz on his previous two sessions at the prolific Fishers Green Fishery, the Essex angler returned to the venue where he fished a light 1.5oz lead rig with 12lb fluoro hooklink tied to a size 12 hook with a Sticky Baits boilie on the hair.
After carefully placing his rig and attached PVA bag of offerings under an overhanging tree, the Waltham Abbey rod waited just 30 minutes before his tip was pulling round as the huge fish made off with his hookbait.