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Barbel Spots ....
Hi,
Fancy a change from the usual carp/pike this bank holiday. So a couple of mates & myself fancy targeting the old bearded bottom scavenger.... (fnar). We're in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Newbury & Reading, but I've heard that the Thames ain't that great for Barbel. Can anyone recommend some where not to far, that may be an easier fish for barbel ? I'm guessing that pellets and paste and fairly standard carp rigs are as good as anything else for targetting these beasties as well ? -- Cheerz - Brownz |
"Biffa @ Work" wrote in message ... Hi, Fancy a change from the usual carp/pike this bank holiday. So a couple of mates & myself fancy targeting the old bearded bottom scavenger.... (fnar). We're in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Newbury & Reading, but I've heard that the Thames ain't that great for Barbel. Can anyone recommend some where not to far, that may be an easier fish for barbel ? Did most of my barbel fishing on the R Lee in Hertfordshire and lots of that at Kings Weir so not too much help there I'm afraid. I'm guessing that pellets and paste Meat is a good alrounder, especially pepparami. and fairly standard carp rigs are as good as anything else for targetting these beasties as well ? I'll throw in a few things here which are general tips for all and will hopefully help some a little bit. Standard carp rigs work fine. Years ago (late 60s) when we fished the white water in weirs it was rods tips to the sky and tight line to bait via adequate holding weight. Although a free running set-up because the line was locked the result is similar/same to what we would now experience on a semi-fixed in-line bolt rig, only a lot less fancy .... and instead of taking line the rod tip hits the water (virtually). One tip I was given (which transformed my catch rate) from an experienced barbel fisherman at that time was to use a short hook link in weirs. His theory was that the barbel normally take the bait moving up-water so you got indication much earlier than if you used a long(er) hook link. Anyway it worked for me too so I stuck with it. You will enjoy playing barbel a real fighter. They don't give up easy and often are extremely fatigued when netted so be sure to give them adequate recovery time before final release. One of the local lakes I know fish (spring fed) has some still water barbel which go to 6/7lb ...... so babies really. I was always against still water barbel but these seem happy enough and still put up good scrap. One or two of the match fisherman have reported catches of babies (would that be barblets I don't know) but I have never seen any. Hope some of that is of interest to some ........ Richard |
It has been a while but the Avon at Hungerford has a few day tickets. The
Thames at Buscott Wear, near Lechlade, used to be good for a few barble way back. There also used to be a section of the Avon behind the Buxted Chicken plant in Christian Malford just past Lynham. As I say this is old news form a few years back but I would have thought it still was good. I caught all of my few barble on Luncheon meat apart from one on a bunch of maggots which was a bit of surprise as I was stalking a chub at the time. -- Gandalf "Biffa @ Work" wrote in message ... Hi, Fancy a change from the usual carp/pike this bank holiday. So a couple of mates & myself fancy targeting the old bearded bottom scavenger.... (fnar). We're in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Newbury & Reading, but I've heard that the Thames ain't that great for Barbel. Can anyone recommend some where not to far, that may be an easier fish for barbel ? I'm guessing that pellets and paste and fairly standard carp rigs are as good as anything else for targetting these beasties as well ? -- Cheerz - Brownz |
"Richard" wrote in message
... "Biffa @ Work" wrote in message ... Hi, Fancy a change from the usual carp/pike this bank holiday. So a couple of mates & myself fancy targeting the old bearded bottom scavenger.... (fnar). We're in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Newbury & Reading, but I've heard that the Thames ain't that great for Barbel. Can anyone recommend some where not to far, that may be an easier fish for barbel ? Did most of my barbel fishing on the R Lee in Hertfordshire and lots of that at Kings Weir so not too much help there I'm afraid. I'm guessing that pellets and paste Meat is a good alrounder, especially pepparami. and fairly standard carp rigs are as good as anything else for targetting these beasties as well ? I'll throw in a few things here which are general tips for all and will hopefully help some a little bit. Standard carp rigs work fine. Years ago (late 60s) when we fished the white water in weirs it was rods tips to the sky and tight line to bait via adequate holding weight. Although a free running set-up because the line was locked the result is similar/same to what we would now experience on a semi-fixed in-line bolt rig, only a lot less fancy .... and instead of taking line the rod tip hits the water (virtually). One tip I was given (which transformed my catch rate) from an experienced barbel fisherman at that time was to use a short hook link in weirs. His theory was that the barbel normally take the bait moving up-water so you got indication much earlier than if you used a long(er) hook link. Anyway it worked for me too so I stuck with it. You will enjoy playing barbel a real fighter. They don't give up easy and often are extremely fatigued when netted so be sure to give them adequate recovery time before final release. One of the local lakes I know fish (spring fed) has some still water barbel which go to 6/7lb ...... so babies really. I was always against still water barbel but these seem happy enough and still put up good scrap. One or two of the match fisherman have reported catches of babies (would that be barblets I don't know) but I have never seen any. Hope some of that is of interest to some ........ Richard Nice one, a complete fountain of knowledge ! I'll let you know how we got on ! Tks Richard & Gandalf. -- Cheerz - Brownz http://fishing.brownz.org/ |
Why not try the Anchor Meadow stretch of the Warwickshire Avon. Double figure barbel come out fairly regularly. Have a look at: http://www.fisheries.co.uk/anchormeadow Good luck Peter In message , "Biffa @ Work" writes Hi, Fancy a change from the usual carp/pike this bank holiday. So a couple of mates & myself fancy targeting the old bearded bottom scavenger.... (fnar). We're in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Newbury & Reading, but I've heard that the Thames ain't that great for Barbel. Can anyone recommend some where not to far, that may be an easier fish for barbel ? I'm guessing that pellets and paste and fairly standard carp rigs are as good as anything else for targetting these beasties as well ? -- Cheerz - Brownz -- Peter Cliff Fisheries.co.uk |
"Richard" wrote in message
... "Biffa @ Work" wrote in message ... Hi, Fancy a change from the usual carp/pike this bank holiday. So a couple of mates & myself fancy targeting the old bearded bottom scavenger.... (fnar). We're in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Newbury & Reading, but I've heard that the Thames ain't that great for Barbel. Can anyone recommend some where not to far, that may be an easier fish for barbel ? Did most of my barbel fishing on the R Lee in Hertfordshire and lots of that at Kings Weir so not too much help there I'm afraid. I'm guessing that pellets and paste Meat is a good alrounder, especially pepparami. and fairly standard carp rigs are as good as anything else for targetting these beasties as well ? I'll throw in a few things here which are general tips for all and will hopefully help some a little bit. Standard carp rigs work fine. Years ago (late 60s) when we fished the white water in weirs it was rods tips to the sky and tight line to bait via adequate holding weight. Although a free running set-up because the line was locked the result is similar/same to what we would now experience on a semi-fixed in-line bolt rig, only a lot less fancy .... and instead of taking line the rod tip hits the water (virtually). One tip I was given (which transformed my catch rate) from an experienced barbel fisherman at that time was to use a short hook link in weirs. His theory was that the barbel normally take the bait moving up-water so you got indication much earlier than if you used a long(er) hook link. Anyway it worked for me too so I stuck with it. You will enjoy playing barbel a real fighter. They don't give up easy and often are extremely fatigued when netted so be sure to give them adequate recovery time before final release. One of the local lakes I know fish (spring fed) has some still water barbel which go to 6/7lb ...... so babies really. I was always against still water barbel but these seem happy enough and still put up good scrap. One or two of the match fisherman have reported catches of babies (would that be barblets I don't know) but I have never seen any. Hope some of that is of interest to some ........ Richard Just another quickie on basics..... I've been informed that the big hallibut gobstoppers (21mm pellets) are working well at the moment. I've got lots of braid and mono hair rigs already made up, so that end of things is sorted. The other end leaves me in an flustered quandry. Having never fished for barbel before I am unsure of the basic techniques. I guess my carp rods (1.75lb to 2.50lb TC) are going to be a bit to heavy duty for the job. If they are not would you fish for them like carp and wait for the bite alarm. Or should I be using one of my feeder rods and fishing for them with a quiver tip ? Also, what sort of poundage breaking strain mainline would you use .... ? So many questions.... ! -- Cheerz - Brownz |
"Biffa @ Work" wrote in message ... "Richard" wrote in message ... "Biffa @ Work" wrote in message ... Hi, Fancy a change from the usual carp/pike this bank holiday. So a couple of mates & myself fancy targeting the old bearded bottom scavenger.... (fnar). We're in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Newbury & Reading, but I've heard that the Thames ain't that great for Barbel. Can anyone recommend some where not to far, that may be an easier fish for barbel ? Did most of my barbel fishing on the R Lee in Hertfordshire and lots of that at Kings Weir so not too much help there I'm afraid. I'm guessing that pellets and paste Meat is a good alrounder, especially pepparami. and fairly standard carp rigs are as good as anything else for targetting these beasties as well ? I'll throw in a few things here which are general tips for all and will hopefully help some a little bit. Standard carp rigs work fine. Years ago (late 60s) when we fished the white water in weirs it was rods tips to the sky and tight line to bait via adequate holding weight. Although a free running set-up because the line was locked the result is similar/same to what we would now experience on a semi-fixed in-line bolt rig, only a lot less fancy .... and instead of taking line the rod tip hits the water (virtually). One tip I was given (which transformed my catch rate) from an experienced barbel fisherman at that time was to use a short hook link in weirs. His theory was that the barbel normally take the bait moving up-water so you got indication much earlier than if you used a long(er) hook link. Anyway it worked for me too so I stuck with it. You will enjoy playing barbel a real fighter. They don't give up easy and often are extremely fatigued when netted so be sure to give them adequate recovery time before final release. One of the local lakes I know fish (spring fed) has some still water barbel which go to 6/7lb ...... so babies really. I was always against still water barbel but these seem happy enough and still put up good scrap. One or two of the match fisherman have reported catches of babies (would that be barblets I don't know) but I have never seen any. Hope some of that is of interest to some ........ Richard Just another quickie on basics..... I've been informed that the big hallibut gobstoppers (21mm pellets) are working well at the moment. I've got lots of braid and mono hair rigs already made up, so that end of things is sorted. The other end leaves me in an flustered quandry. Having never fished for barbel before I am unsure of the basic techniques. I guess my carp rods (1.75lb to 2.50lb TC) are going to be a bit to heavy duty for the job. I would use the 1.75lb TC ...... a bit/tad heavy but it isn't a bad choice for decent barbel .... and you do have it .... and you might get one. Ime a barbel (even those in still waters) give a much more ferocious and longer battle than carp. You will wonder what the hell is going on if you hit a 10lbs+ fish ...... especially if it is your first. If they are not would you fish for them like carp and wait for the bite alarm. Or should I be using one of my feeder rods and fishing for them with a quiver tip ? Venues I fish/fished I would use the 1.75lbTC rod as you would your feeder rod .... they will bend that tip big time no problem. Also, what sort of poundage breaking strain mainline would you use .... ? 8lbs. So many questions.... ! Wish I could go ....... I have had a quiet couple of months (knee ligament damage) but that is almost behind me now. -- Cheerz - Brownz Good luck .......... Richard |
In message , "Biffa @ Work"
writes Hi, Fancy a change from the usual carp/pike this bank holiday. So a couple of mates & myself fancy targeting the old bearded bottom scavenger.... (fnar). We're in the middle of Oxford, Swindon, Newbury & Reading, but I've heard that the Thames ain't that great for Barbel. Can anyone recommend some where not to far, that may be an easier fish for barbel ? The River Marden is a tributary of the Bristol Avon, and certainly used to be fishable on a Calne AA day ticket. While I think I could find the area I used to fish for barbel, I'm not sure I could describe how to get there, but the tackle shop in Calne should be able to help, as well as selling you a ticket. If you find yourself parking by an old mill, with the river slow and confined upstream of a weirpool and fast and narrow below it, you're still too far upstream. This is an excellent stretch for chub, but I've never caught a barbel from it. You want the next section down, where the river goes under the road and over a small weir. You have to park in a laybye. You can catch barbel anywhere from that weir down. As far as the Thames goes, does anyone know any good barbel water on the South Cerney card? -- Steve Walker |
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