Southern river produces PB barbel

Adam Perna 16lb 9oz.jpg

Mild temperatures and a rising river led to the capture of this 16lb 9oz barbel by 33-year-old Blakes Baits consultant Adam Perna from a southern waterway.

The fish smashes his previous best for the species by 10oz. 

He told Angling Times: “During the course of an eight-hour session in two swims I managed to catch three reasonable chub. 

“Five minutes before I was about to leave, the rod hooped over, and this time it was no chub. Happily I won the battle and a very fat and chunky barbel of 16lb 9oz was my reward.”

Adam’s set-up consisted of a 1.75 test curve rod with 12lb mainline, a 2oz lead and a 15mm Frank ‘N’ Indian boilie wrapped in paste to a size 8 hook.