The River Trent has gone from strength to strength in the last decade or so, with some excellent fishing to be had regardless of species, but if you love catching barbel, it is one of the best rivers to catch a real specimen. While there are notable hotspots, not many compare to Bobs Island, with the stretch producing barbel consistently throughout the season, it is one of the first places many anglers head to!
Alan Taylor is a barbel enthusiast who has been concentrating his efforts on this historic stretch this year, but despite repeated visits, he hasn't been able to drop into any of the noted swims. Having had his eye on the 'Point Swim' for the last few months, he finally found it vacant and managed to move in there. The long wait was worthwhile as he landed one of the biggest barbel of the 2024-2025 season at a colossal 19lb.
"I turned up Sunday at around 4pm, and again the swims I fancied were taken so I settled into an area that has done me bites in the past," Alan explained.
"However an angler was due to leave Monday morning and thankfully he did, and with that I packed up swiftly and moved in there."
After trying to get in this favoured area on many previous trips, Alan expected to catch plenty of barbel, having envisaged how he was going to fish the swim so many times previous. However, the weather took a turn for the worse and he feared it may ruin his chances despite being sat in what he regarded as the best area.
"I blanked for 48 hours, without so much as a knock and as the weather just kept getting colder with lows of -2 degrees at night in the bivvy, it wasn't filling me with much hope," he recalled.
"I fished on regardless, rebaiting the rods often to keep fresh hookbaits in the swim and the persistence paid off, as I got a screaming take which saw me land a 12lb 2oz fish after a spirited battle."
With that fish, Alan's confidence grew that he might be in for more action as the night rolled on. Remaining faithful in his Tulip Bacon Grill for bait, he got the rod back out and retreated to his bivvy to settle in for the night ahead.
"At around 5am, I got another savage take and as soon as I lifted into the fish, I just knew it was a different beast," Alan said.
"After playing the fish hard to stop it causing me bother in any snags, it was safely resting in my net. I quickly sent a couple texts out to some of the anglers fishing down the bank for assistance."
"It looked huge, and after weighing it on three sets of scales, mine and the other lads, it was confirmed to be 19lb, I was in complete shock I never imagined catching a barbel that big! It has smashed my previous PB of 12lb 13oz."
"I guess the slightly warmer morning encouraged them to have a feed, I have since been informed it is the Bobs Island record too, which was 18lb 4oz previously. What a way to end the season!" Alan concluded.
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH YOUR FIRST BARBEL, HERE IS AN INFORMATIVE BEGINNERS GUIDE!
