Gavin Barrett tapped into the Hampshire Avon’s tremendous current form for big barbel with this 16lb 9oz fish.
With the river running at normal levels but still carrying a tinge of colour after recent rains, local angler Gavin fished a 12mm boilie alongside a tiny PVA bag containing four crushed baits, positioned on a patch of gravel close to swaying weed fronds.
An hour after dark he had a jittery take and struck into what he expected to be a chub. Then the powerful fish shot out into midriver and gave Gavin a dogged fight in the flow before coming to the net.
Gavin Barrett - 16lb 9oz barbel