Simon Daley 17lb 3oz Barbel

Heavy rain and strong winds are great conditions for barbel, and river-ace Simon Daley proved just why with the capture of this 17lb 3oz fish from the Hampshire Avon.

Simon told us “I arrived to find both the river and water temperatures were rising so I introduced some bait before setting up. That obviously worked as I early on I landed a 6lb 7oz barbel and it didn’t take long before the rod wrapped round again, but this time a stronger battle ensued resulting in this lovely 17lb 3oz specimen.

I’ve been after a 17lb+ barbel for three years and had fallen short by just a few ounces last season, so catching this fish made me a very happy man indeed. A homemade boilie fished alongside a PVA bag filled with the same baits whole and crumbed proved the downfall of this fish.”