Several seasons ago, Justin Stoddart’s eye was drawn to one particular barbel in a catch report from the tidal reaches of the River Trent, and after years of dreaming about catching it, he finally slipped his net under the specimen at a weight of 17lb 9oz.
It fell to five casters fished on a size 8 hook presented on a 12lb fluorocarbon hooklink below a feeder packed with hemp and casters.
Although he’s caught barbel on countless hookbaits over the years, casters are Justin’s favourite, as he knows that big fish in rivers up and down the land are virtually unable to resist them. The stretch Justin is fishing is deep with a powerful flow, and as a result, every fish he’s caught from there feels huge when hooked!
But when this barbel surfaced in the clear water, he knew it was the one he’d been after. Prior to taking a quick photograph, Justin admired the fish for a moment on the bank, knowing his challenge was complete.
THE BEST BARBEL RODS WILL HELP YOU BANK ANY BARBEL YOU HOOK!
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