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 ?