Barbel

[Ron Clay]

I see that Des Taylor is sounding off about match anglers who pull for a break if they hit a big barbel, prefering to catch the smaller fish. Des says that 3 smaller barbel can be landed in a shorter time that 1 big one and thus make up more weight.

I see something wrong here. Deliberately leaving hooks in fish is not right at all.

Would matchmen actually do such things?

I hope not.

 

[John Tait]

Money doesn't talk, Ron - it shouts. Certain elements of the match-fishing fraternity would, I am sure, deliberately break on a fish if they thought that continuing to play it would disadvantage them. The same scenario has been apparent in the past on the carp-stocked match waters - but now the anglers are using gear which will handle the bigger fish, the practice does seem to have died out.

Jonty

 

[Ron Clay]

The problem is that I am now a sentimental old fart who probably should be measured up for a wooden overcoat.

The catching of fish to enable one man to compete with another man and thereby to win money may be totally morally wrong.

Why don't they play darts instead?

 

[John Tait]

The competition itself may not be morally wrong, but the ethos of `breaking-off` on purpose most certainly is. To me, anyway. Maybe I am also an old fart !! - my lads would probably agree !!

Jonty

 

[Andy Thatcher]

Well I'm in my mid 30's so I'm not an old fart and find the practise abhorent ! How's that for sitting on the fence !

Going back to Practical Coarse Fishing by Graham his chapter on barbel mentions this problem and that was in 1980 so it isn't new. Hold on not quite the same he covers people using inadequate tackle but I think it amounts to the same thing as the person would realise if there are barbel present as it would have been discussed before hand.

That the same issues have not been addressed and resolved is the worrying thing for me. Although how one would set about it is obviously a problem.

 

[GrahamM]

Deliberately breaking off on fish for any reason is wrong. And using inadequate tackle when you know for a fact that you're going to hook something you can't handle is wrong too. However, tackling up to catch small fish and accidentally finding yourself attached to a big one is another matter.

The sad fact is that even if you could legislate against deliberate break-offs it wouldn't make a scrap of difference to the 'anglers' who do such things. It's in their character and you can't legislate for that; you can't make a caring angler out of one who doesn't give a toss.

 

[Andy Thatcher]

I have had the occasional barbel come along whilst river roaching in winter. So realise that you can plan but not predict, if we could I don't think I'd go ! I was lucky enough only to lose one. The feeling of remorse was so strong I packed up.

Do match anglers only see fish as commodities to benefit themselves with money and the social kudos of being a winner ? That is a worrying thought.

To heavy for me I'm off barbelling !

 

[Ron Clay]

Yes Andy I think they do. That may be one of the reasons why match angling was banned in Germany.

 

[Chris Bishop]

What do people think comparing this to the Duffers on the Dove thread where people speak about busting off on a few...

 

[Davy North]

I must admit I was appauled when I read a well known matchman state he would beef his line up to 1.7lb if barbel were his target! Do me a favour, you'd have no chance with a decent barbel or chub for that matter in a snaggy swim on 1.7, and even in a clear swim you'd have to play them to deaths door.

Mindless and irresponsible.

 

[Ron Clay]

There is a whole world of difference between breaking off by accident or hooking barbel whilst roach fishing and being smashed. It's happened to me. However to deliberately break off morally wrong. Many match anglers do not give a toss. I read not so long ago where one match angler was asked what his favourite fish was. He said anything, as long as it filled his net.

How sad

 

[Carp Angler]

What do people think comparing this to the Duffers on the Dove thread where people speak about busting off on a few...


Personally I was using a one and a half TC rod and 8lb line.
I lost 3 fish, I'm not proud of that, but I thought the gear was adequate for the size of fish expected.
Someone would probably find fault if I went there with 3lb TC and 18lb line.
I wouldn't have lost any fish, but we are always balancing strength against sport, and comments such as unsporting would have been levelled.

 

[Del Jarman]

Iwathed M Dones play a 3lb barbel for 25 minuets. I wish Icould play fish as gentle as he did. Ihave never been a matchman so have no axe to grind. Speak as you find thats me.

 

[Dave Johnson]

I was geared up much the same as Rik (when he fished my pegs) on a Diawa Barbel Specialist to a 6oooGTE baitrunner on 8lb thru to a 12 super specialist-standard gear up and down the country for barbel. However, they were going ballistic on hooking, maybe as the water was so clear , I dont know?
What I do know is that at the first opportunity I have stepped up to 12lb after discussing it in the pub over a beer on what went wrong.
As Rik says, it was'nt that long ago that we were debating 'noddy's on sea tackle'......

 

[Paul Williams]

Barbel are in my opinion the most testing species of all as far as tackle is concerned, i have had the same problems on the Teme, my standard outfit now is a through action rod, 10lb mono (min) straight through, no experimenting with "new" hooklengths and keep to as short a line as possible, the longer you cast the more chance the barb has of reaching that snag.....(stretch, kiting)set the clutch tight and hold on!! if the barb realises it can take you on a joy ride it will!!......i still occasionally lose fish, anyone who fishes true "jungle" swims for barbs always will, it usually happens when i'm having a slow period and then hook a "nuke" and i don't believe in what i know and i give them some slack, so T/A rods,decent heavyish stretchy line(no braid!!!), no long casts, hang on and let the rod and line do the work..........but back to Des's article of the match lads pulling purposely for a break......journalistic boll***ks!!....think about it, if the fishing was that fast...WOW!!!!!

 

[Dave Johnson]

have not read it yet Paul, but I know where you are coming from. I think the Dove is becoming more like the Teme. Hit and hold becoming the norm especially in low clear water when they naturally stay nearer to cover only venturing out at night. Incidentally, remember the peg you had your 4lb+ chub from on Fri, well just above you was some very fasy shallow water up to a foot deep between the trees? well thats where Rik and me spotted the barbs, and a couple of em were good fish. Itsa also where we lost em.......
do you still want me to put ya name down?

 

[Stewart Bloor]

To back Rik and Dave, I fished the Dove last night. I was using 10lb line, and got taken downstream by a fish that was only 6.8. I had no option but to follow it, it was like an express train. Fifty yards later, Dave Colclough is running after me with the net and Graham is following with his camera. For its size I've never encountered a fish like it. The rod was bent over double and the power the fish displayed was incredible. We all thought it was a monster.

As Rik says, his tackle was adequate for the size of fish expected. And then as Dave says, an after session chat and a decision is made to upgrade to 12lb in future. A sensible and thinking approach to angling

Now, there are those who fish 3 and 4lb line on the Dove (where there are decent fish and lots of snags) and actually brag about the numbers of fish they lose. Now that, I feel, is irresponsible.

 

[Dave Johnson]

can Dave Colclough run?

i saw him move pretty quick once after a hefty mixed grill when Rik mentioned he was gonna pay a visit.......it was either get the cubicle first or hold on for a couple of hours......

 

[Stewart Bloor]

I did say 50 yards behind....

As for Graham, he was certainly much slower than we've come to expect...Has anyone told him yet what happens to Greyhounds when they come to the end of their days...

 

[Paul Williams]

Ive got a couple of bricks if thats what you mean, oooooohh .......DJ, i am torn between two stretchs now!!!....i'll guest whilst i make my mind up,....mind you i know a cracking stretch of my own.....and it's free!!....just got to stop the long range casters poaching "my" water!!