15lb barbel is 66th double

DESPITE freezing conditions barbel expert Ian Potts banked his 66th double of the season in style when this 15lb 5oz cracker devoured his single cocoon hookbait.

The giant fish was taken during a 48-hour-stay on the tidal River Trent and proved to be the 43-year-old’s 231st barbel of the season – not to mention his seventh different 15lb-plus barbel in three years!

To draw the barbel into his swim Ian laid down a bed of maggots and hemp and after catching numerous bream, chub and roach, he finally hooked his intended quarry.