Barbel Beginner

[Richard Drayson]

Fellas, any advice out there for a novice barbel angler to be. I`ve done a lot of chub fishing in my time and understand their ways etc. I`m sure the gear that I`ve got will be OK but need some advice, particularly on the basic approach to barbelling.

 

[David Will]

Richard is the river you intend to fish clear or coloured.

 

[Richard Drayson]

David, I`ll be fishing the Hants Avon so it`s basically clear. I had a look yesterday and I could see the bottom through 10ft of water very easily. The river does colour up after heavy rain though.

 

[Daniel Whitelock]

i have heard that feeder fishing hemp/maggot is good on the hants avon, if that dont work try the usual running leger with meat, corn, worm, paste, boilie, pellet etc on the hook, fished over a bed of hemp or pellets, corn, particle mixes ( wheat, groats etc )

i havent seen the hants avon before but if runs with streamer weed/gravel bottoms and good current are about try rolling meat or campbells meatballs, cast it out and let out some line and let it roll through the swim in a natural way ( a straight line, not letting it pull back round in an arc ), you should be able to feel as a fish picks up the bait.
this is only general advice i have never fished the hants avon myself, i spend most of my time blanking on the gt ouse, obviously asking someone who actually fishes the river would get you a better idea but i hope that helps anyway

cheers Daniel

 

[Dave Burr]

Hi Richard, When Igot back into barbel fishing I found it all a bit confusing so I joined the Barbel Society. Now love 'em or hate 'em, the Society has put me in touch with a lot of people and through them I have learned a lot and now fish with confidence. In fact this season I have taken 4 anglers to the river and watched them land their first barbel. Give it a thought, if you want to know more then email me direct.
Dave

 

[David Will]

Richard I have not fished the Avonfor a while now but the following often worked when it was clear and the temp was high.
First find the fish.Once achieved I would look for an area upstream nearby on to which i put a few droppers full of maggots casters and hemp.I would then watch and after a while the fish would start to show interest by moving up to the feed and dropping back. In time they might start to feed.By watching for when they departed the swim I topped up the feed in their absence.This continued until I felt the time was right to put a baited hook in.A bigger fish will often feed alone on the fringes and by watching you can pick the right spot to take the biggest fish first.I used to go to a nearby area of river before casting to practice trying to put my bait in the right place. Refraction and water speed can see your baited hook ending up way off the mark.
They can be difficult to find, look hard at the ends of and amongst the streamer weed.Where there is one usually there are more.This approach means a lot of time not fishing but it does pay off in the end. Good luck.

 

[Richard Drayson]

David and Daniel, thanks for the helpful advice.
Dave, I don`t think I`ll be joining any clubs or societies just yet, but thanks for the offer of being able to email you direct if I want any further advice.