Andy’s XXX Barbel

We have just had another great result reported on Odyssey XXX......... this time a 16lb 12oz Barbel to Andy Loble!

Andy takes’ up the story:

‘I have been fishing a stretch of the Kennet since October last year and have had a few fish to around 8lb. I was determined to beat my PB of 9.14lb, something I thought would be easier than it appeared. I have had plenty of Barbel from numerous rivers but never got into double figures.

I knew the stretch I am fishing held some monsters and I wasn't going to give in before the season ended. In fact I am writing this quickly to be able to get down the river and utilise the last 6 hours I have left!!!

I started to put some serious time in over Jan and Feb putting up with some pretty cold and wet night sessions, but the combination of the temperature and fluctuating water levels seemed to be playing havoc with the fish switching onto feed.

I managed one Barbel during Jan and Feb and numerous chub to about 4lb.

I had been baiting the swim with a mixture of CC Moore’s XXX and Perfection Ground Baits River Mix. It seemed most of the Chub were going for the River Mix and the few Barbel I was getting were coming out on the XXX.

Click for larger images

Odyssey XXX bait dip

Odyssey XXX boilies

With a stupidly chilly campaign which failed to produce on the Thames I decided to switch back to the Kennet. I was supposed to go to London for a friend’s birthday on the Saturday night but got a hunch/a feeling and I had to cancel last minute and follow my heart to the river. (worrying when you turn down a massive party with good friends for fishing). I work on the Thames doing environmental work and the conditions looked amazing on the Thames so I knew the Kennet would look even better.

I rushed home, obeying all speed regulations!!! Grabbed the kit and then headed down to Basingstoke Angling Centre to get a couple of bits. Whilst in there one of the staff mentioned he had had his first ever Barbel at over 10lb. I was over the moon for him but at the same time was a little miffed after all my years of fishing and I hadn't managed to get a fish of this size. I expressed my thoughts after congratulating him and wished them well.

On arrival to the river I was shocked to see no other anglers on the stretch. I quickly checked the date as I thought I might have lost a couple of days somewhere and the season had already ended. Nope, all was good. I went straight to a swim which has been known to produce a few good fish, by good I mean well over the 13lb mark.

I put a bit of bait out and then proceeded to get the rods out.

I was fishing one on PGB River Mix and the other on XXX. The XXX was tight to margins just under an over-hanging tree and the River Mix was cast to the far bank where there is a nice under cut as the river lows round to the right.

Everything was in place all I had to do was sit and wait. The bivvy went up and was home for the night, a brew was made and dinner consumed.

Everything was in place all I had to do was sit and wait. The bivvy went up and was home for the night, a brew was made and dinner consumed.

I had had a long day so was out for the count by 9pm. I knew I was not likely to get a bit until later in the morning when I had had most of my bites from the chub and the Barbel so there was no point in staying up.

At 11pm on the dot the near side margin rod screamed off, I launch myself at the rod still in the sleeping bag and began playing a good fish. It actually felt like a good chub all the way to the net. It was until I tried to get it in the net I realised it was not a chub at all but a Barbel and not just any Barbel....... it was massive. I left it to recover in the net whilst I calmed myself down and got the camera, scales and unhooking mat sorted.

As I lifted it out I knew this would be a PB and when I weighed it I realised I had smashed my PB by a huge margin. The scales swung confidently round to 16.12lb!!!! The XXX had done it again. I got my photos and got the beast (nicknamed Nick, due to a nick in its dorsal fin) back into the water.

Click for a larger image 16lb 12oz

The rod went back out and I sat and had a moment or two before it finally sunk in and I phoned just about everyone on my phone book!!!

What an end to the season, although I did head down the following night and lost a good fish at 2am and I am heading back down tonight for one last chuck.

The fish was caught on double CC Moore XXX and a new line by Ultima, Power Carp Ultra, a Green fluorocarbon coated line of 14lb and the Ultima Hyper Silk hook link material. I was using the new Gardner Covert End Tackle, Covert size 6 Wide Gape Hooks, Gardner Covert clip kit (size 8 swivel, lead clip, tail rubber and anti tangle sleeve) and a 4oz Grappler weight in green and Gardner Plummet Lead core.

Everything was pinned down nicely as I like it. I always find it easier to fish a carp style set up when doing a full night as it is very difficult to stay awake all night watching the rod tips. The main changes I make are to increase the length of my hook link and also increase the length of my lead core and then use some Gardner Critical Mass to weight it all down in the right places.

Well I think that just about covers it.

I am having to deal with the grief of not attending the party but I think it was worth the sacrifice. I just hope that one of the larger fish that are present there will be kind and come my way over the course of this year.’

Well done on your great result Andy.

CC Moore - not just for Carp anglers!!