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 article , Biffa @ Work
wrote:

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.

Maybe, the lighter one would do for a start though. Don't buy another 'til
you've tried it and sorted out the local conditions - then you'll know what
-you- need. Eg. Fishing Lower Avon from bank - long rod ca 14ft with short
butt / Fishing from Thames Punt - short rod with very forgiving tip.

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 ?

Location is going to be the biggest problem so I'd suggest going as lightly
equipped as possible and scouting likely swims with polaroids. Those that
you can't see into explore with the float (of course you can floatfish where
you can see in too!)

This is the classic trotting: big float, bunched shot, trickle a worm over
the gravel holding back hard. G-bait with chopped worms and just enough
cereal to hold the ball together until it hits the water. Fish from about
20 yards above the swim.

Also, what sort of poundage breaking strain mainline would you use .... ?

6-8lb bs stright through. Up or down a bit if the local fish/conditions
dictate.

So many questions.... !

Half the fun!

Cheerio,

--

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