Most of the our coarse species become almost impossible to target when the rivers are in flood – but not barbel. They are still well and truly on the angling menu!
Their willingness to feed in such conditions, combined with their ability to track down a meal in even the murkiest of waters, gives you every chance of getting a few bites when the flow and current are raging.
A tailored approach is needed to be successful in such situations, though, and knowing that yourrig is cleanly presented and working well is key. Tactical matters aside, always remember – if you can’t fish safely in the floods, either go elsewhere or go home.
THESE STRETCHES OF RIVER GIVE YOU A GREAT CHANCE OF CATCHING BARBEL!
Swim selection
Areas with a steady flow no faster than walking pace are often where barbel will hold up. A textbook swim is one where the depth increases slowly, resulting in a slight upward slope for the barbel to position themselves on. This will mean they need to expend less energy holding position. A good knowledge of a river in normal conditions helps.
Anchor your rig
Let a bow of line out after casting to help the feeder or lead hold station and not bounce around, which can lead to it getting snagged. By varying the feeder weight and the size of the bow, you can get it to just hold bottom, so that a fish taking the bait will dislodge it. Keeping the rod high also helps the rig to stay put, as there is less line in the water.
Don't go under-gunned
A rod with a 1.75lb-2lb test curve will do the job on most rivers, but you may need to increase this on the bigger venues. Spool your reel with 12lb-15lb mono and use a 2ft-3ft hooklength of 15lb coated braid, removing the last few centimetres of the coating above the hook, which should be a strongly-forged size 8 or 10 pattern with a beaked point.
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST BARBEL RODS...
Send out a signal
Pack the feeder with a mix of pellets and a pungent groundbait with plenty of fishmeal content so that the fish can home in on it easily in coloured water. The same goes for the hookbait – use something highly attractive. I find Sonubaits Oozing Spicy Sausage pellets make fantastic hookbaits because they slowly release a steady stream of flavour.
NEED MORE TIPS? HERE IS ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT CATCHING FLOODWATER BARBEL...
