Youngsters lead the way with incredible angling week...
Two young anglers are headlining the specimen fish show this week with huge perch and barbel – proving that there’s still some monsters to catch despite the freezing conditions.
We start with eight-year-old Harry Heywood, who managed to hook into a superb 4lb perch (right) during a livebaiting session on a stretch of the River Thames.
“Harry caught this superb 4lb perch while we were fishing the Thames with the Fling Your Hook guiding service,” said Harry’s dad Duncan.
“It gave a very good scrap, considering it was taken on fairly heavy tackle!
“He was thrilled to catch such a huge fish, which I’ve explained is a fish of a lifetime – especially from a river.
“My own perch personal best is only just under 2lb, so he’s well and truly done me there!
“Harry can’t wait to show all his mates his capture in print.”
Harry’s winning method was a bleak livebait trolled off the back of a boat.
The River Trent played host to the next catch in the form of an immaculate 16lb 5oz barbel (above) for Aaron MacInnes.
The 15-year-old initially intended to fish for zander and pike on a tidal stretch of the river before an encounter with a barbel angler changed things altogether.
“I caught this barbel thanks to a mystery man,” Aaron said.
“I had arrived at the river with my uncle to do a bit of predator fishing and we spoke to this guy about barbel fishing, as that’s what my uncle usual does.
“He asked me if I had ever caught one, to which I replied ‘no’ because I hadn’t, and while we were there he had an aggressive take. The first thing he said was “here lad, have this”, and minutes later I had this beast of a barbel on the bank.
“I can’t thank this man enough, I highly appreciate what he did!”
Aaron’s new personal best for the species fell to two krill pellets fished over a bed of the same, and a running leger rig with a 4oz lead and 15lb mainline. On these pages is a round-up of the other specimen catches this week.
Aaron’s TOP TIP: “When feeding small pellets for barbel in the winter makes sure your hookbait is scaled down too.”
Harry’s TOP TIP: “When livebaiting for perch, a large single hook nicked through the lip of the livebait is all that is needed to ensure good presentation.”