Eight day baiting campaign pays off for big Stour barbel

“AT THE start of my latest barbel trip to the Dorset Stour I saw a fish roll close to the far-bank margin so I catapulted in five boilies every hour to the spot, intending to fish it later on.

“Just before dark I decided to make the 35-yard cast, but had to put a big bow in the line to hold bottom because the current was raging through.

“Forty minutes later, though, I had a massive run and when I connected with the fish it took line straight away and almost got me round a fallen tree!

“Thankfully, I turned the barbel and slid her over the net at the first time of asking.

“At 14lb 1oz I was mega-happy with the result, especially after I’d baited the swim for eight days and blanked five times during that period!”

Ben Wood – 14lb 1oz Dorset Stour barbel