Dave Will, better known as Deecy on the FM forum, made a fantastic catch of Thames’ barbel last week.

Dave, who hails from Bushey, Herts, fished four evenings to take a haul of 14 barbs that included seven doubles. The fish weighed 10.06 (2) 10.08, 10.12, 10.14, 11.06 and 11.09 (pictured). The weights of the other fish were, 9.08, 6.05, 8.09, 5.05, 7.00 and 9.10. Dave also caught five chub of which three tipped the scales at over 5lb.

Dave, pictured with his biggest fish that weighed 11lb 9oz

The fish were caught from three different swims on three separate sections and the swims featured a deep gravel run beyond marginal weed located with a plain lead.

Dave said, “Activity became intense over the bait just after dark but a lull would soon be followed by a bite from either a barbel or chub. Of note is the fact that whilst I sat out the pre dark period anglers nearby were catching upwards of 20lb of Roach on the waggler with hemp in swims nearby, proving the Thames this season is fishing better than it has early season than for many seasons. I usually wait till September to fish for the roach but that might start earlier this year.”

Rods used were Greys X flite Barbel, Shimano 3500B reel , 10lb Gardner GT80 line, 10lb Drennan Carp Dacron hooklength, Owner Iseama 50188 size 4 (size 6 equiv) hooks.

Dave added, “The rig was basically 10-18 inch hooklength dependant on the swim and patches of silkweed present or not, with the bait fished on a hair via a knotless knot tight to the bend.

“This was fished as a running rig with a 1.5 Atomic bottle lead. This lot was fished over about 5 kilos of mixed groundbait containing hemp, tiger nuts, various sized betaine halibut pellets from CC Moore with Salmon Fry Crumb and Vitalin and Halibut pellet powder to bind it. This was topped up with a couple of cricket sized balls and a handful of boilies after a fish or missed bite.

“Hookbaits were Chiltern Bait Services Euphoria boilies in various sizes.”

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