Following hot on the heels of Mark Halstead’s venue record of 13lb 10oz Brian Beaven has upped it by another ounce to set the record at 13lb 11oz.
Merseyside angler Brian caught the fish in heavy floodwater using pellet as bait.
Ribble regular and FISHINGmagic columnist Gary Knowlessaid, “Its not just at the top end of the scale that the Ribble barbel size seems increasing, the average size of fish that can be expected is also on the increase.
“If they continue to steadily increase in size, and I see no reason why this should not be the case, then we could be looking at a 15lb Ribble barbel within a year or two.” |
“More good news is that they are not as localised as they once were, a few years ago the barbel were much more difficult to track down with just a handful of known, productive swims, but now it seems that barbel are much more widespread throughout the river and anywhere between Ribchester and Preston is capable of throwing up a double figure fish.”
Gary added, “the fish currently holding the river record will almost certainly be over 14lb in weight by March and if they continue to steadily increase in size, and I see no reason why this should not be the case, then we could be looking at a 15lb Ribble barbel within a year or two”
