Andy Davies is predominantly a lure angler, targeting pike and zander, but this summer he’s focussed on the barbel of the lower Severn, with spectacular results. His best fish so far is this superb 17lb barbel, which he backed up with others of 15lb 4oz, 14lb 1oz, and 10lb 10oz…. Read more

This season, with his local Hampshire Avon out of sorts, two-time Drennan Cup champ Simon Daley decided to target barbel on the River Lea instead. It’s a venue he’s fished for the chub in the past, but with its exceptional barbel form last season, he decided it was time to… Read more

Following a two-year break from the venue, Paul Harriman marked his return to the River Colne in spectacular style by banking a new personal best barbel weighing 15lb 10oz. It came from an area where he had tasted success before back in 2023, and which he had prebaited lightly in… Read more

Having heard rumours of a large barbel in the upper Thames, Tom Humphreys fancied having a go for the fish, but with his second baby being born, he knew his angling opportunities would be limited. But, he embarked on a campaign that saw him sneaking out to fish in the… Read more

Julian Barnes had a mega barbel session on the Trent to end the season, landing 19 fish, of which 14 of were doubles! The biggest of the bunch was this lovely 17lb 15oz specimen, which backed up by further fish of 17lb 9oz and 15lb 9oz! He told us “I… Read more

A return to his old stomping grounds on the River Lea at King’s Weir paid off in style for Mark Hewett, when he caught this 19lb 9oz barbel towards the end of the season. It fell to a bunch of maggots fished on a size 10 hook alongside an in-line… Read more