High water keeping barbel feeding despite the cold

DESPITE freezing temperatures barbel anglers have been hitting the banks in their droves in search of a new personal best.

Here are three recent barbel reports to inspire you to get the rods out…

Dariusz Prech 16lb 15oz barbel

Scunthorpe-based angler Dariusz Prech braved unsavoury conditions on the tidal River Trent to bank his biggest barbel ever at 16lb 15oz.

Targeting an area of slack water Dariusz opted for a maggot approach and fished four grubs on the hook in conjunction with a cage feeder loaded with spicy pellets and a shrimp and krill groundbait.

He said: “The fish was very strong, and the fight took about 10 minutes as it tried to get away in the strong flow.”

 Mitch Godfrey 15lb 1oz barbel

Perseverance was key in the capture of this 15lb 1oz chunk for Mitch Godfrey who fished all day to finally receive a take whilst he was packing up.

The Nottingham-based rod targeted his local River Trent and lowered two 10mm Bait-Tech Krill and Tuna boilies into a crease behind a tree in hope of a take.

He said: “Considering the cold the fish put up a superb scrap and there were a few twitchy moments as it rubbed around a snag but a very welcome 15lb 1oz barbel eventually made it to the net.”

 Paul Potter 14lb 2oz barbel

Barbel fanatic Paul Potter continued his superb run of form on the Dorset Stour when he slipped his net under a 14lb 2oz specimen during a recent evening trip.

He told Angling Times: “This barbel is possibly one of the most stunning 14 pounders I have ever caught.

“A simple change in winds from North to South East also brought the air and water temperatures up a touch and got them on the feed.”

Paul used a Hook Bait Company Spicy Fish Pro boilie to help temp the barbel.