Ian Potts proved that sometimes, not following the crowds and fishing in a completely different way to most can be the best way to get an edge and catch yourself the fish that elude others.
On many rivers, targeting the main flow, or the edges of it, is the way we’re told to fish. But, on a recent session, I had a fantastic few fish from a spot close to my own bank where there was just 3ft of water, taking a 7lb 7oz chub and a 16lb 5oz barbel!
I was fishing on the Trent, and liked the look of an area close-in where there was gravel between weedbeds. It’s a spot where I knew most other people wouldn’t fish, but where they would be likely to chuck in their leftover bait at the end of a session. Big fish are clever, and I reckoned they’d be making the most of a bit of free food in an area ‘safe’ from angling pressure.
My plan was to fish there at night, when the big fish would be likely to venture into the shallows under the cover of darkness. I spent the day trickling in a bit of bait – not loads, just a few Vortex Cocoons and a bit of groundbait.
THE BEST FISHING CHAIRS ARE PERFECT FOR LONGER SESSIONS ON THE RIVERBANK.
The spot was so shallow that I could see my bait on the bottom when the sun came out. This I liked, as it told me if anything had been feeding in the area. That night, I cast out and soon hooked what felt like a decent fish, although I knew it wasn’t the barbel that I was after. On netting it, I initially thought it might be a small carp, before I realised it was a massive chub!
At 7lb 7oz, it was a huge summer fish, and a great result from the spot. I kept fishing there all through the next day and, to avoid disturbing the spot, I sat well back from the river. Additionally, I rarely recast, leaving my rig out for five hours at a time.
Even though I was trying to keep quiet, I wasn’t really expecting a bite during the day, so you can imagine my surprise when the rod absolutely smashed over, and I connected to a powerful fish that was clearly a barbel.
At 16lb 5oz, it was a great result and proof that thinking outside the box and fishing away from the usual areas can produce.
IF YOU HAVE NEVER CAUGHT A BARBEL, HERE IS A GREAT BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HELP YOU.
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