Good call ! Feed them and they will come.
A lot depends on how you intend to introduce it and how far out you intend to fish. A simple mix of brown crumb with some white to bind it will do (say 3 parts brown to two white). Otherwise it gets a bit expensive to use branded ones. If you can get hold of a bit of flaked maize its good to add to the mix. A bit like thick cornflakes that go soft when soaked.The main thing is some bits for the fish to hunt around for, thus keeping them in the swim. If it's deep close in, you can introduce the bait by hand. Hemp, corn or small pellet are cheap and will do the job.
I'll be fishing around Lough Oughter on the Erne system from next week so hopefully the fish will have started feeding. Let me know how you go on.
Well in DD: )Things got better and better on the second night. I finished with six barbel, four of which were double figures. Weights of the fish were:
12-2
11-0
10-8
10-0
9-9
7-12
I also had a load of bream on the first night but not the second. 12-2 is a PB and this definitely represents my best haul of big barbel.
Can’t wait to get back on The mighty Trent. In my last two sessions I’ve had 10 barbel and 6 of them have been doubles.
Dave, where would be the best place to try for Barbel on the Ribble. Its about the closest river to Scotland that holds a decent head and I fancy giving it a shot.Got my waders on yesterday in the sunshine and had a few hours trotting the Ribble with hemp and caster on the Stick float.
I had a swim full of fish after feeding for half an hour and caught loads of chub, dace and a single nice roach.
A lovely way to spend the afternoon, although I felt the call of the Ribble barbel and will be back this week for them.
Most of the water is owned by clubs and I don’t know the free or day ticket stretches very well. There is some free water near Preston (I think it’s called Church Deeps) where good barbel are caught. I can do some asking around for you if you are coming down.Dave, where would be the best place to try for Barbel on the Ribble. Its about the closest river to Scotland that holds a decent head and I fancy giving it a shot.
Thanks Dave. Will do some research of my own and let you know.Most of the water is owned by clubs and I don’t know the free or day ticket stretches very well. There is some free water near Preston (I think it’s called Church Deeps) where good barbel are caught. I can do some asking around for you if you are coming down.
Is the Post Office, Tickled Trout stretch still day ticket ?Most of the water is owned by clubs and I don’t know the free or day ticket stretches very well. There is some free water near Preston (I think it’s called Church Deeps) where good barbel are caught. I can do some asking around for you if you are coming down.
Yes but both are tiny stretches, just a peg or two. Post office is Ribchester, a few miles upstream from the Tickled Trout.Is the Post Office, Tickled Trout stretch still day ticket ?
Do Prince Albert still have a stretch at Ribchester mate? I had a cracking day on there about 20 years ago, I think I had a dozen barbel on the stickfloat. Not fished the Ribble for years and I don't fish much these days. I'm looking forward to Barbel bashing as a guest on @snorky's salmon syndicate on the Wye at the end of the month. I really should get on the bank more often.Yes but both are tiny stretches, just a peg or two. Post office is Ribchester, a few miles upstream from the Tickled Trout.
Yes, they have a couple of stretches together right through Ribchester. I don’t fish those myself. I have focussed on the stretches down river where I think the barbel are bigger: Brockholes, Balderton etc. I was also a member of Ribchester and District AA until last year as they have some quieter stretches, but I turned more towards the Trent (and Wye) so let that ticket go.Do Prince Albert still have a stretch at Ribchester mate? I had a cracking day on there about 20 years ago, I think I had a dozen barbel on the stickfloat. Not fished the Ribble for years and I don't fish much these days. I'm looking forward to Barbel bashing as a guest on @snorky's salmon syndicate on the Wye at the end of the month. I really should get on the bank more often.
You come across as a knowledgeable and decent angler willing to share info on waters, nice one mate. Some anglers are too secretive for my liking. Fishing is a great hobby and I'll gladly share hints n' tips if anyone wants advice. Thing is I'm rusty as I don't go much like I said but once I get my eye in on a peg, it doesn't take me too.lomg to suss out how to catch. I keep saying I'll take a retired mate to Gawsworth fisheries near Macclesfield. Had some really good mixed bags from there in the past. Also there's a few promising looking swims on the tame above Stockport I need to get on. I've yet to catch a barbel of any size on there but I know it contains a few double figure fish(as does the Goyt) and also some monster chub.Yes, they have a couple of stretches together right through Ribchester. I don’t fish those myself. I have focussed on the stretches down river where I think the barbel are bigger: Brockholes, Balderton etc. I was also a member of Ribchester and District AA until last year as they have some quieter stretches, but I turned more towards the Trent (and Wye) so let that ticket go.
I love The Ribble but I felt both numbers and sizes were dropping. I am seeing a few signs of improvement this and last season.
Do Prince Albert still have a stretch at Ribchester mate? I had a cracking day on there about 20 years ago, I think I had a dozen barbel on the stickfloat. Not fished the Ribble for years and I don't fish much these days. I'm looking forward to Barbel bashing as a guest on @snorky's salmon syndicate on the Wye at the end of the month. I really should get on the bank more often.
Your first salmon in about 18 months and you had to travel to Scotland for it. Indeed a sad state of affairs mate. How big was it?I may as well dust down the barbel rod and join you mate.....
Cos there is fuck all chance of catching a salmon on the Wye!
It's a sad state of affairs.
I managed one on the Dee last week though :)
Lucky to catch one in Scotland, my salmon fishing buddies are pretty depressed.Your first salmon in about 18 months and you had to travel to Scotland for it. Indeed a sad state of affairs mate. How big was it?
You come across as a knowledgeable and decent angler willing to share info on waters, nice one mate. Some anglers are too secretive for my liking. Fishing is a great hobby and I'll gladly share hints n' tips if anyone wants advice. Thing is I'm rusty as I don't go much like I said but once I get my eye in on a peg, it doesn't take me too.lomg to suss out how to catch. I keep saying I'll take a retired mate to Gawsworth fisheries near Macclesfield. Had some really good mixed bags from there in the past. Also there's a few promising looking swims on the tame above Stockport I need to get on. I've yet to catch a barbel of any size on there but I know it contains a few double figure fish(as does the Goyt) and also some monster chub.
One of my best mates put a lot of hours on the bank on the Ribble, he would only fish it when the river was carrying extra water, he had most of his best fish was on the rise or fall but reckoned some swims were noted for floodwater conditions where a 6oz lead was needed to hold a a bait down in the margins.
Nice one DD, tight lines. What's your usual end rig in approaching big barbel? I try and keep it a simple running cage feeder rig with a fishmeal groundbait and micro pellets. I've had most success with a tail of between 2 to 3ft in length on a hair rigged 12-22 mm pellet and hook a tad smaller than the pellet on a at least a 8lb(usually 10) tail. I'm guessing you are using a straight lead set up with your sinking spomb feed approach?If it isn't going to affect my fishing I see no harm in helping others out. You've got to be a bit careful if you get onto a "secret", ie the existence of a big carp, barbel or pike, because there are glory hunters amongst the specimen fishing fraternity who will jump on the back of your hard work. But if someone wants pointers on a stretch I know I'll always give them.
All rivers are better for barbel with extra water on them, however after a dry spell there can be so much weed and shite drifting downstream, that it's extremely hard work, recasting every few minutes. Plenty of Ribble barbel are caught in the night in low water conditions and I intend to try to prove that this evening.
Nice one DD, tight lines. What's your usual end rig in approaching big barbel? I try and keep it a simple running cage feeder rig with a fishmeal groundbait and micro pellets. I've had most success with a tail of between 2 to 3ft in length on a hair rigged 12-22 mm pellet and hook a tad smaller than the pellet on a at least a 8lb(usually 10) tail. I'm guessing you are using a straight lead set up with your sinking spomb feed approach?
I get what you're saying regarding a 4 or 5 feet tail as specimen fish are crafty having seen most methods before and back off. A thinking outside the box approach sometimes outwits the wariest of fish and I've had some of my biggest fish in the witching hour when they have more confidence to feed. Do you use a flourocarbon tail in clearer water?It depends on the river but I usually use two rods, BMR. Upstream I tend to go with a feeder as you suggest but I nearly always fish this one with a very small bait and long hooklink - often 4 or 5 feet. That's because I think the fish will spook in clear water on the line which comes up from the feeder, so I want my bait away from it. I also think nearly every barbel angler uses small baits for feed and a single big one on the hook, so I want to be a bit different.
My downstream rod is usually a straight lead but I often tie a PVA bag to the lead. More often I'll use a boilie on this rod, and boilies in the bag. The logic here is that the bigger fish will often sit further back mopping up baits which are drifting down from the main feed area.