New to Barbel Fishing

[dfox1787]

Hello all

I have course fished for 20 years and iv decided to give barbel fishing a go.

Iv just got a few questions that iv struggled to find answers to.

Iv got a daiwa barbel fishing rod which has both a avon and a quiver tip section.

for bite indications i have been using my quiver section.

Im just wondering what is the difference between the avon and the quiver with barbel fishing?

Should i be using the avon or the quiver?

Why would i use the avon when the quiver is better for bite indications? (to me it would be like using a cage feeder on a still water with a waggler rod)

I have also a John wilson quiver/avon with a 2.5 oz quiver. Would this be ok to use on rivers?

 

[nicepix]

If you are fishing downstream ledgering the bites are usually unmistakable. I say usually because sometimes all you get are trembles on the tip but mainly a barbel pulls the tip right around.

If you are fishing upstream or across the river from where you are sat the bites are often more subtle especially if you have balanced your rig so the weight is displaced on the bite. In that situation an appropriate quiver tip would be better IMO. Then the bites are usually a nod and drop back rather than a pull round.

The type of the quiver tip you will need depends on several factors including the strength of flow, amount of line out, debris and wind strength. Experience will tell you what strength of quiver tip to use.

Whether your Avon tip or a quiver tip is better or whether your lighter Avon rod is more suitable will depend on the venue and conditions.

 

[sam vimes]

Whether you use one tip or the other is a matter of preference, conditions and methods. Many barbel anglers consider quiver tips to be unnecessary as barbel bites are often less than subtle. However, if they are being picky, they can be useful. Many specialist barbel rods don't even come with quivertips of any kind.

When it comes to conditions, fishing high water, fast water, in strong winds, strong currents in deep water or when lots of detritus is coming down on the flow, the quiver sections can be rendered useless. There's little point in persisting with a quiver that's constantly wrapped right round or perpetually showing false rattles.

Then comes the methods, when fishing downstream I generally wouldn't bother with a quiver. However, if casting upstream, I may well consider it if other conditions allow.

I generally don't bother with quivertips when barbel fishing. However, I can acknowledge that they can have their uses. Not all barbel bites are the fabled three foot twitch.

 

[barbelboi]

Some good advice above, I've just deleted my post as it's just about covered..........

 

[dfox1787]

thank you for your quick responses.

I was thinking as im new to barbel fishing i was going to fish closer in away from the main fast flowing current with the john wilson rod with 2.5 oz for any species of fish. Would the 2.5 oz cope with pulling in barbel if i was to hook one?

 

[Mr Cholmondeley-Corker (PaSC)]

Foxy

I 5lb barbel will bend your jw Avon double! You will play the fish on the mid to but section.

 

[nicepix]

I've got the JW Travel Avon / Quiver and landed barbel and carp to around 8lb with no difficulty. As Corky says, the rod the rod has a good through action. The only problem I've had with it was with a carp of around 16 - 18lb that I couldn't quite get to the net. The rod just lacked a little bit of power for that size fish. I'd happily use it for barbel in appropriate conditions.

 

[dfox1787]

Foxy

I 5lb barbel will bend your jw Avon double! You will play the fish on the mid to but section.

Really! so the JW barbel avaon rod is no good for catching barbel?

 

[nicepix]

Really! so the JW barbel avaon rod is no good for catching barbel?

You didn't mention it was a barbel rod.in your first post.

JW Avon / Quivers come in various models and the Barbel version is a heavier rod.

 

[dfox1787]

I've got the JW Travel Avon / Quiver and landed barbel and carp to around 8lb with no difficulty. As Corky says, the rod the rod has a good through action. The only problem I've had with it was with a carp of around 16 - 18lb that I couldn't quite get to the net. The rod just lacked a little bit of power for that size fish. I'd happily use it for barbel in appropriate conditions.

Ok Thank you for your response it has really helped.

 

[Judas Priest]

The John Wilson's will land barbel, a rod doesn't have to mention the word barbel to be able to land them, it's more about matching the rod to many factors. Line strength, river flow, swim, distance/weight casting to name a few. If it all relied on was test curve/stiffness you'd never get a trout or salmon out on a fly rod.

Which waters are you looking to fish and which general areas eg: Middle Trent, lower Severn, Kennet etc ?

 

[greenie62]

a rod doesn't have to mention the word barbel to be able to land them

So how does it know?! mg:

 

[symonh2000]

I have had quite a few Barbel on my JW Avon quiver, the best being a 11 1/2 pounder on the quiver section. I have also had low double figure carp on the Avon top.

It will cope just fine, I used to use a Silstar carbon composite ledger/quiver combo rod for barbel and it always managed to get them in even though the action on it was much softer than the JW.

I think many people fall into the trap of thinking that you need a 1.75lb test curve or above to catch Barbel. Unless you are fishing very heavy in either a snaggy swim or there is a strong current where you need a heavy weight to hold bottom you don't need anything that hefty IMO.

 

[aebitim]

I have several barbel rods, they range from 1.00 lb test [bruce and walker] to 2.25 [Daiwa infinty] I use them all. I think many anglers fall into the trap of thinking it is possible to get 1 rod that will do it all.

 

[nicepix]

The John Wilson's will land barbel, a rod doesn't have to mention the word barbel to be able to land them, it's more about matching the rod to many factors. Line strength, river flow, swim, distance/weight casting to name a few. If it all relied on was test curve/stiffness you'd never get a trout or salmon out on a fly rod.

Which waters are you looking to fish and which general areas eg: Middle Trent, lower Severn, Kennet etc ?

Aren't you jumping to conclusions there JP? He might be fishing a still water for them :wh

 

[Judas Priest]

True Nicepix true, in which case he'll be needing the "John Wilson Stillwater barbel cruncher".