Biggest barbel of the season landed

The biggest barbel of the season has been banked at a colossal weight of 20lb 5oz. 

The huge fish, which is one of the five biggest barbel ever caught in the UK, was caught by Paul Faint from an undisclosed stretch of the River Thames.

The 46-year-old took advantage of mild conditions over the New Year period and launched his attack once water levels rose after heavy rainfall. 

It was a decision that paid dividends for the Waltham Abbey-based angler, who upped his barbel best by 10oz with the capture. 

Paul said: “I fished a swim with a large slack by a fallen tree. It was 8ft deep, with no rubbish to contend with perfect for barbel. 

“I baited one rod with a boilie wrapped in paste and cast this in front of me. On my downstream rod I had luncheon meat flavoured with garlic powder, paprika and hot chilli powder.”

With no signs after a few hours Paul rebaited the downstream rod with a new piece of meat and cast this a little further out just off the crease line.

“The witching hour had long passed when, all of a sudden the tip on the downstream rod started to pull over,” Paul added.

“Upon striking the fish roared off into the main flow and it took quite an effort to retrieve her as she tried to bury herself under the tree to my right. I knew this was a good barbel and after what seemed a lifetime she was netted. I then called my friend to witness and photograph it. 

“It was a fantastic Christmas present to have beaten my previous barbel best, taken only six weeks before.”

Paul used a size 8 wide gape hook, a 2.5oz gripper lead, 10lb Insight line and a 1.75lb Free Spirit rod to help fool the monster fish.