Angling Direct guide to barbel 3

Part 3: Winter Barbel Fishing

Not many years ago, fishing for Barbel ended with the first frosts or the autumn and only commenced again on the glorious 16th. Today it is a different story and many top Barbel anglers prefer to fish during the colder months particularly if the river is carrying floodwater.

The most important thing when out fishing during the colder months is your own safety and well-being. Good quality clothing is essential, thermal underwear followed by several warming layers, a wind stopper fleece and a waterproof breathable suit is a must. A warm pair of waterproof boots are important. I find the Drennan ESP and Sundridge ranges are superb.

River conditions fall into two categories during the winter, they both need a completely different approach.

Low clear river

These conditions often follow a spell of settled weather with high pressure, bright sunny days with frosty nights. If you are going to fish during these conditions forget the early start you would do better to arrive at the river early afternoon and fish into darkness. A cautious approach to your bait and presentation are important, Barbel as always will be spooked by badly presented bait.

Try a small maggot feeder filled with flavoured maggots regularly cast into the swim, 2 maggots on a strong size 16 hook tied to some .17 Preston Powerline complete the rig. As the light fades switch to a running ledger rig, hair rig a 14mm halibut pellet under a size 8 TT barbel hook. For added attraction make some golf ball size bags of smaller pellets out of some funnel web and cast these out with your rig.

Flooded river

These conditions will often get Barbel anglers running to the river to fish. As they normally follow a spell of milder southwesterly wind and rain, the river temperature will be increasing encouraging the Barbel to feed.

Strong rods and heavy leads are required, an uprated rod of around 1.75lb test (the Harrison range of Barbel rods are well worth a look). A strong reel loaded with 10lb line and a selection of leads up to 6ozs complete the set up.

Top baits would be flavoured luncheon meat, trout pellet, paste or boilies. Look for areas of flat calmer water even in mid river, avoid boils or areas of broken water these often contain hefts or flood debris but not fish.

My top ten winter Barbel tips

Keep warm and safe, muddy riverbanks are dangerous

Flavour your bait, curry powder on maggots or luncheon meat works well

Keep mobile a static approach will often fail

The first cast into a new swim will often produce a bite so don’t miss it

Use funnel web to place some free offerings close to your bait, but don’t overfeed

Use strong tackle, a big Barbel in a flooded river will test your gear to its limits

If using boilies mould some paste around your bait for a quicker release of flavour

Use backleads if the river is full of suspended debris

Try baiting with a lobworm if all else fails

Enjoy your fishing

For any advice on Barbel fishing matters e mail me using the contact us link at the top of this page

I will endeavour to reply to all enquires