Due to his local rivers running low and clear, Mark Erdwin had been holding back from targeting barbel so far this season. But with recent heavy rain and dropping temperatures, he ventured to the River Loddon and landed this superb 17lb 7oz specimen.
It fell to a homemade dumbbell boilie, wrapped in matching paste, and came not long after an otter had passed through his swim, causing the early indications he’d received to suddenly stop. However, 20 minutes after a recast with a fresh hookbait, Mark’s centrepin clattered off, and an intense game of hit and hold commenced. Mark knew he couldn’t give the fish an inch of line, and after it hugged bottom for some time, he eventually slipped the special fish into the net. It’s his PB from the river, with Mark noting that it had the longest barbules he’s seen, with unique little forks to them.
Well done Mark!