BRILLANT BARBEL BREAK RECORDS ON THE RIVER TRENT!
String of specimens to 18lb 10oz fall over blustery weekend
THE STORMY weather conditions have done little to dampen the spirits of the nation’s barbel fanatics, with a host of massive fish to 18lb 10oz logged over a crazy few days of action.
While high winds and heavy rain battered all corners of the UK, anglers on the River Trent capitalised on the mild temperatures and high water levels to target the waterway’s prolific stocks.
Leading the way was Staffordshire-based specialist James Ufton, who won his battle against an 18lb 10oz giant, which sets a new record for the Upper Trent. He described the fish as being ‘like a breeze block across its back, with pectoral fins as big as my hands!’
James made the capture after being granted permission by his wife to go fishing for a few hours, but he didn’t require the full allotted time as his rod tip signalled a gentle pull-round just 15 minutes into his session.
He added: “Straight away I knew it was a good fish so I just took my time – adjusting the clutch when I needed to.
“It didn’t dawn on me that it could’ve been a new PB until it surfaced for the first time, and I remember thinking, ‘bloody hell, that’s a massive barbel.’
“It was a fantastic catch I’ll never forget. I never dreamed I’d beat my personal best, which was the current River Dove record of 18lb 6oz.”
James’ successful rig included a running cage feeder loaded with damp pellets and chopped boilies, complete with a single boilie hookbait cut in half and hair-rigged back-to-back.
Here are the reports of five other Trent beauties taken during the same weekend: