A few years ago, one barbel on the tidal Trent caught Justin Stoddart’s eye, and after years of dreaming about catching the fish, he recently slipped the net under the specimen at a weight of 17lb 9oz and what a photo to match such an impressive specimen.
It fell to five casters fished on a size 8 hook presented on a 12lb fluorocarbon hooklink below a feeder packed with hemp and casters. Although he’s caught barbel on countless hookbaits over the years, casters are Justin’s favourite, as he knows that specimens on rivers up and down the land are unable to resist them. The stetch Justin is fishing is deep and powerfully flowing, and as a result, every fish he’s caught from there feels huge when hooked. But when this one surfaced in the clear water, he knew it was the one he’d been after. Prior to it being photographed, Justin admired the fish for a moment on the bank, knowing his challenge was complete.
Well done Justin!