If you’re looking to catch a personal-best barbel, King’s Weir on the River Lea has, over recent seasons, been the place to go, with the venue producing three British Records and a string of twenty-pounders.
On a trip to the in-form stretch, Grant Whitlock landed this 17lb 8oz specimen, which beats his previous PB by over 10lb! Fishing on the day-ticket section, he fished a boilie hookbait over pellets and krill groundbait, introduced using a swim feeder.
Crayfish had caused him a few issues through the day, but as the light started to fade, line ripped from his baitrunner and he knew he was attached to a proper fish. Like many big barbel do, the specimen didn’t tear off – it used its weight in the strong flow before Grant could ease it towards the waiting net. Earlier this year, Grant, who is mainly a carp angler, landed a 30lb carp – a new PB. But, he reported that this barbel was even more special, as he knows it’s a specimen that he’s not only never likely to beat, but also one that he may never witness again in his angling life.
Well done Grant!