Is this Britain’s biggest barbel?

This is the image of what could be the biggest barbel in the UK.

Weighing a colossal 19lb 4oz, the fish was caught by specimen angler Gary Johnson from an undisclosed stretch of the River Nene.

The incredible capture, which was first reported in Angling Times last week, was the result of a frustrating four-day campaign which saw the Cambridgeshire man trying numerous approaches before finally tempting his prize on a specially made John Baker bait. 

Gary told Angling Times: “I visited the venue a number of times to feed the fish, which were visible in the shallow water. However, I just couldn’t get the specimen to take my bait, despite tinkering with different set-ups and hooklength variations.” 

Gary finally found the right combination, using 5ft of 10lb Gardner Hydroflow with a size 16 Target hook and a meshed bait to avoid the hordes of roach and dace in his swim. 

If confirmed, the fish will set a new record for the venue, beating Nigel Bryan’s 18lb 3oz fish from earlier in the season.