River Trent barbel fishing an afternoon and evening early in the new year. I caught 6 barbel and 2 chub. Also, how to use the Met Office weather observations website to work out if it is worth going fishing. Patric Kyte
Great fishing Patrick ,I'd say your videos are without doubt the best and most successful ones that I have yet seen .one after the other including biggies . well done fella .on our stretches you've all on getting one per session .and suffer regular blanks .so thanks for sharing your experience .it gives us hope .
Nice video. If restrictions allow I’m going to give the Trent a try later this year. I note you are using 12 pound line, Cani ask what rods you use as I don’t want to turn up under powered. I have 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 pound test curve rods. What would be the most suitable?
I think the 2lb test curve would be best. Perhaps the 2.5 if you are casting to the other bank. I am fishing mainly my own bank swims and generally use about 1.75 pound test curve.
Patric, the weather site is interesting, do you fish when the air temps are below 5c, will barbel be on the hunt again when they are used to it in your opinion?
I do fish when the air temps are below 5 degrees C. It is the water temperature that is important and if I thought that would be below 5 degrees C then I wouldn't go for barbel. They don't seem to get used to it. Water is at its most dense at 4 degrees C and when it's that temperature or below, the barbel stay still on the bottom in deeper water and if they move to find food, they are moving into colder water., which they generally won't do. So your only chance is to cast your bait very close to them and not use much ground bait. It is easier to do this on a very small river such as the River Lea. However, unlike barbel, chub don't mind the cold so much and when the water temperatures are below 5 degrees it is worth fishing for them.
You need a bait that will stay on the hook well as it is likely to be out there for quite a while in strong flows. I would go for anything fishy or meaty. Otherwise, I have also caught on swimfeeder maggot, lobworms and bread flake in the winter.
