Monster 17lb 2oz barbel caught by angler on the River Thames

A brace of barbel totaling 30lb 4oz is thought to be one of the biggest ever recorded from the River Thames.  

The fish tipped the scales at 17lb 2oz and 13lb 2oz and found their way into the net of specialist angler Pete Hollingworth after he primed a swim on the River Thames.

Pete's 17lb 2oz monster Barbel made it a fantastic brace on the river Thames. 

Pete's 17lb 2oz monster Barbel made it a fantastic brace on the river Thames. 

He visited the river to introduce particles, including pellets and chopped boilies, on three separate occasions leading up to his incredible session.

As the waterway was carrying extra colour, he opted for large hookbaits that comprised two 18 mm fish-flavoured boilies wrapped in a matching paste – and this was a decision that produced the goods.

“It had been a tough season on the river. Normally I do a lot of carping on the Thames, but they just haven’t been around, so I’ve switched to barbel,” said Pete.

“When there’s a lot of colour in the water I’ve found that big, smelly baits are the way forward. Not only are they large and easy to see, but the fish flavour, coupled with the paste, gets the attraction leaking off and will pull barbel into the area.”

This 13lb 2oz Barbel was a lovely catch. 

This 13lb 2oz Barbel was a lovely catch. 

The larger of the two barbel set a new personal best and beats his previous biggest for the species that stood at 16lb 11oz. 

Pete presented his baits on a simple rig made from 12lb line, an 18ins hooklink and a size 6 wide gape hook.

“To catch a 17lb 2oz barbel is one hell of an achievement for me, but to back it up with another double for a barbel brace weighing over 30lb is one of
my best catches to date,” Pete
added.

“The Thames is always full of surprises and you never know, I might get a few more chances at some big fish before the season comes to an end.”

16lb barbel falls to angler fishing the River Ouse

Alan Lawrence had homemade boilies and paste to thank for this pristine 16lb 2oz barbel taken on his latest trip to the Great Ouse. 

The Vauxhall Angling Club regular fished a popular stretch of the river in Northamptonshire and fed just five boilies each into several likely-looking swims before circling back round to fish them. 

After the first few spots failed to produce, Alan settled next to a high reed bed, cast his paste-wrapped boilie into a crease in the flow and the fish was on.