Many anglers have described hooking a big river barbel like "snagging the bottom", as the larger examples of the species are known to just hold stationary on the riverbed, even in the fastest of flows.
That was certainly the case for Chris Welsh on a recent visit to a syndicate stretch of the River Trent, where he landed this enormous 17lb 5oz specimen.
YOU NEED THE RIGHT ROD TO GO BARBEL FISHING. CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDES TO THE BEST BARBEL RODS ON THE MARKET RIGHT NOW.
“After catching a few small barbel on boilie hookbaits at the start of my session, I was soon into something much bigger right on dusk, and a fish of 12lb 4oz came to the net. Shortly after, it was followed by an even larger 13-pounder," he told us.
“I reeled in at midnight and resumed fishing the next day. Again, I had a few early small fish before all hell broke loose – my bite alarm fairly screamed off!
FANCY FISHING THE RIVER TRENT YOURSELF? CHECK OUT OUR WHERE TO FISH GUIDE ON THE BEST PLACES TO STAY AND FISH.
“Initially, I thought I was snagged, but nope – I was hooked into a slow-moving fish that held bottom.
"Sweating like mad, I finally saw a barbel rise through the foam in the weir and instantly knew it was a big one. And what a fish it was, at 17lb 5oz.”
NEED SOME ADVICE FOR BARBEL FISHING? CHECK OUT THIS EXPERT TIPS & TACTICS ARTICLE.
This page is a free example of the amazing content Angling Times Members get every single week. Becoming an Angling Times Member gives you access to award-winning magazine content, member rewards, our back issue archives, bonus content and more! Join our fishing community and find out more today!