Fishing on a flooded River Lea, local angler Stuart Biggs received a rod-wrenching take from this lean 17lb 12oz barbel.
“It was the most savage bite I’ve ever had from a barbel, and I actually ended up knee-deep in the river trying to control it!” revealed Stuart.
“The fight was ridiculous, with the river in flood and a fish that knew where all the snags were. It took me three attempts to net it, but when it finally went in, I gave a big sigh of relief.”
The barbel obliterates Stuart’s previous PB of 14lb 4oz and fell to a Mainline Baits boilie.