13lb 5oz barbel from Severn

THIS Severn barbel topped the scales at 13lb 15oz – and captor Matt Marlow admitted that he was ‘physically shaking’ following its capture.

On his first-ever visit to a stretch on the lower reaches of the river he baited a couple of spots with groundbait, and legered Pandemic dumbells on a size 6 hook over the top.

“My knees totally went when the fish made that unmistakable run that only big barbel are capable of,” said Matt.

“I was in shock that I’d landed one of the very special ones on my very first session here.”