(THIS CATCH WAS REPORTED BEFORE THE END OF THE RIVER SEASON ON MARCH 15TH)
Pellets and boilies rule the roost for barbel anglers these days, but there’s still a place for the humble maggot – as Mark Saul proved with this 19lb 6oz specimen.
It was caught from the Kings Weir fishery on the River Lea on a mag-aligner rig, with three red grubs on the hook below a taped-up 2oz feeder.
Arriving at 10.30am, Mark had a good lead around and soon found a nice area of fine, clean gravel just an easy underarm cast out.
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After feeding four large droppers of red maggots, he recast every 15 minutes to keep a trickle of feed going through the swim.
He hadn’t had a touch until 3pm when, out of nowhere, Mark received a sharp tap on the tip that turned into a steady pull.
He then lifted into the fish, which embarked on a long, powerful run, followed by an intense 10-minute scrap.
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