Long wait pays off for enormous Trent barbel

PERSEVERANCE paid off for Colin Garlick when he struck into this dream 18lb barbel after 30 biteless hours on the tidal Trent.

The 52-year-old joiner said the river was flowing so high and fast that he was forced to recast every 20 minutes due to a build-up of debris on the line, but that was all forgotten at 5.15pm on the second day of his session when his rod arched over.

“When I got it on the surface, I was in no doubt that it would smash my previous 14lb 9oz best,” said Colin.

Colin’s new PB fell to a running rig and a double 12mm Sticky Krill boilie hookbait.

(This catch was reported to our news team prior to the third England lockdown)

Colin Garlick and his 18lb River Trent barbel