rods and reels for barbel fishing

[@Clive]

I have done a bit of hook and hold for river carp, and catfish. The reel is important unless you are only fishing close enough to net the fish without winding any line in. For my fishing I use an Okuma Trent centrepin as the drag can be set to something like 7.5kg, around the same as a Penn 760L or Shimano' big fixed spool reels. And when you come to wind in the centrepin is imo far superior to any fixed spool reel.

My favoured rods are old Ugly Stik models that are reputed to be unbreakable.

 

[mikench]

Have yet to use my Trent but intend to do so. I hope it isn’t a catfish I catch.

 

[@Clive]

I don't think there's much danger of that.