Maggots tempt icy cold Trent barbel

DITCHING boilies and pellets in favour of maggots for a big winter barbel paid off for Sam Sibley with the capture of this 16lb 1oz specimen.

It was a new pb for the St Albans angler, who threaded 10 grubs on to a size 12 hook to tempt a bite from the depths of an icy cold tidal Trent.

He said:

“I was fishing four or five rodlengths out on the edge of the main flow when my rod buckled over. As soon as I struck into it I knew it was a good stamp of fish.

“After a dour 20-minute fight during which the fish hugged the bottom I got it in close and knew right away I had beaten my 12lb 8oz personal best.”