Breezeblock Loddon barbel banked!

The River Loddon has dropped off barbel anglers’ radar in recent years, as larger rivers such as the Trent and Thames have taken centre stage.

But it still holds some fantastic fish, including this 15lb 4oz specimen landed by Liam Raphael.

Using boilie tactics, Liam quickly found he had quite a task on his hands after hooking the fish.

“It weeded me up three times during the course of the fight, and it took quite a few attempts to net,” he revealed.

“There was also weed coming down the river, wiping me out occasionally, but sticking to the task paid off with this breezeblock of a barbel.”

A boilie wrapped in paste and presented over a spread of around 40 boilies tempted Liam’s fish.

Liam Raphael’s 15lb 4oz barbel from the River Loddon