Barbel blitz in the cooler conditions
The recent cooler temperatures and much-needed rise in water levels have already produced some great results for the country’s barbel anglers.
Lots of double-figure fish have been landed over the past week, topped by one a 16lb 7oz caught by Adam Lister from the River Trent.
The mechanic from Doncaster was targeting the popular Gunthorpe Lock fishery on the river when early on a Sunday morning his left-hand rod screamed off with what he described as ‘the biggest barbel I have ever seen.’
Adam told Angling Times: “I had to get my friend Lee to weigh the barbel, as I was still shaking. The huge fish was a new personal best and was simply unbelievable.”
The giant was caught on a Dynamite Baits Cheese and Garlic boilie fished over a bed of pellets on a size 6 hook tied to a hooklink more than a foot long.
A trip to the Gunthorpe stretch of the Trent also paid off for Dean Lowe when he landed a fantastic 15lb 1oz barbel from the weir area. Targeting a deep swim, the 54-year-old balled in krill groundbait and mixed pellets, creating a large bed of feed for the barbel to settle on. Over the top of his feed Dean fished a 14mm shrimp and krill pellet on a 3ft Amnesia hooklength and a size 10 specimen hook.
To complete a remarkable week for Trent barbel catches, project manager Paul Faint landed a
15lb 10oz fish from a stretch of the middle river while on a guided trip with 3FT Twitch baits boss Richard Easom.
Paul said: “After fishing for about an hour there was a steady pull round on the tip, and when I struck into it I knew it was a big one. It gave a great account for itself.
“We allowed the fish a good rest and then got some great photos before it was safely returned to the magical Trent.”
The successful rig on this occasion incorporated a 25lb coated braid hooklength attached to a size 6 hook with a split shot 2ins away. Paul’s favoured bait was a 3ft Twitch 14mm Lamprey and Herring boilie.
Like so many large Trent barbel, all three double-figure fish reported here were landed at night, and this highlights that after dark can be the prime time to fish if you’re searching for a specimen barbel.
The Trent is not the only river that’s been producing big double-figure barbel, though – the Thames, Nene and Swale have thrown up some great fish too…
Joseph Wynter, 15lb 0oz
Joseph Wynter has landed Thames barbel of 15lb and 13lb in the same session.
Fishing a section of the lower river, he used an Enterprise Tackle running rig with a 3oz lead and an N-Trap hooklength.
Joseph did not reveal what bait he used, but he tells us that he landed a 13lb barbel in a recent session using a boilie flavoured with added ‘Jamaican seasoning.’ Reggae Reggae barbel, perhaps?
Simon Lashmore, 14lb 12oz
Simon Lashmore fished a Nene backwater for three barbel topped by this 14lb 12oz warrior.
Simon said: “On arrival, the Nene had a tinge of colour, and shortly after casting a freelined boilie close to an overhanging tree I caught a 12lb 13oz fish.
“I then fished three other swims before returning to the first, where I caught another double at 10lb 4oz. The next barbel was the big girl, a new personal best.”
Andrew Bogan, 11lb 4oz
With recent rainfall freshening up the River Swale, Andrew Bogan visited the Cundall Hall stretch for a night session, and was rewarded with this 11lb 4oz barbel.
Andrew said: “I have only got into barbel fishing this year – it’s been a tough one with conditions the way they are but now I’m over the moon.”
The big berttie was caught on a 14mm halibut pellet, which also snared numerous chub prior to the capture.
Neil Wayte, 15lb 4oz
Continuing a run of form on the River Thames, Neil Wayte caught this 15lb 4oz cracker. It was backed up by 10 chub and four other barbel during his two-day session.
All Neil’s fish were caught on Mad Baits Pandemic boilies fished in conjunction with a large PVA stocking of broken boilies and pellets.
This was cast towards the far bank of the river with a dozen freebies introduced over the top every cast.