Huge 16lb 5oz River Trent barbel

Krzysztof Barczak had to wait just 40 minutes before his new personal best barbel of 16lb 5oz devoured his hookbait.

He’d planned to fish a night on his usual stretch of the River Trent, but found other anglers were in his swim. 

Finding another, vacant spot, Krzysztof was unfazed as a powerful fish picked up his luncheon meat hookbait shortly after casting out. 

He told Angling Times: “After a long battle I landed my new personal best at 16lb 5oz. 

“This beautiful fish gave me the fight of my life and the opportunity to test my new Shimano Baitrunner reel too!” 

Krzysztof used 12lb reel line attached to a 8lb hooklink to land the barbel. 

TOP TIP
“On a pressured stretch of river, try a swim that isn’t often fished. You might find the warier barbel have moved there.”