The Barbel
‘The Fast Water Fighter’
“Barbel are one of the most exciting, good looking sport fish a coarse angler can try to catch as they never give up a fight.”
Barbel Characteristics
Barbel is slim and streamlined -
The Barbel has four barbs around the mouth, two small ones around the nose and two large ones around the mouth.
Location of Barbel
Barbel Baits
Barbel will take a host of baits and more often than not a lot of baits designed to be for Game fish the Barbel will also devour as its natural bait to them in plentiful supply.
Some Barbel baits that work well down here and should do the exact same on the Clyde:
Maggots, Worms, Sweet Corn, Hemp Seed, Halibut Pellets, Luncheon Meat(Please leave the tins at home and not on the bank side) Carp Boilies.
Luncheon Meat
Hemp Seed
Halibut Pellets
New Scottish Record Barbel -
Vid’s ‘Fish of the week winner from the Sun newspaper, August 2011
Barbel Tactics
If the river is low and clear during daylight hours the barbel tend to stick to hiding holes such as weir pools and under willow tree roots along the bank side or under rafts of floating debris, its only after dark that they will venture out to feed and this is probably the best time to plan your attack on how to fish for them.
If the river is high and coloured the Barbel thrive in these conditions and are often seen porpoising in very high water and will take feed quite freely.
Barbel Tackle
For its weight, the barbel is the strongest freshwater fish. They fight with determination and endurance and therefore sturdy tackle is needed to match the barbel’s power.
Specialist rods are available for specimen hunters and dedicated barbel anglers but for the novice a general purpose float rod will do the job.
Use a fixed spool reel fitted with line of about 8lbs breaking strain.
As a basic rule, the size of the hook depends on the size of the fish and the size of the bait. For barbel use
hooks that range between a 6 and a 10.
Choose barbless hooks because they cause less damage to the fish and are easier to unhook.
Barbel Fishing Methods
The most popular way of catching barbel is by float fishing or by using leger.
Remember, barbel tend to inhabit fast flowing water so it makes sense to choose a float that is highly visible. Try a "loafer" or a "crystal Avon".
When legering in fast water it is important to use a weight that will hold bait close to the riverbed. A bomb type leger would be ideal.
This kind of weight, such as an "Arlesey" bomb, is also curved so that it will roll with the current and therefore cover more fishing areas.
The River Clyde Fishing web team would like to thank Mr George Lockhart (George387),
forum member, for this great article and for the use of his pictures.
Please visit his site here.
Tight Lines !!!!
No matter how good you are, you can't catch a fish that isn't there.
You must be prepared to devote maximum attention to this most vital task.
Early season location will be centred around the spawning beds, where barbel spend much of their time, from May until possibly early July, depending on weather.
In a cold spring, the barbel may still be waiting to spawn at the opening of the season, and the gravid females will be in close proximity to the spawning areas.
There is often a high concentration of big fish in a fairly confined area, which is useful not only in possibly catching one or two but also in assessing the potential of the stretch. If you are looking at a new section, it is always a good idea to pay visits in late spring and early summer, when careful observation can pay tremendous dividends.
The fish feed hard in the pre-
The fish are obviously easy to spot on the gravely shallows, and therefore soon become spooked. They will then disperse after spawning, back to their normal haunts. It is then our job to find them all over again. Before spawning takes place, however, they will remain close to the shallows, and the nearest available cover will warrant close investigation.
Overhanging bank side foliage, lily or rush beds, or even a section of deeper water, where the bottom cannot be seen, are all reliable holding spots at this time of the year.
Particularly useful to know about are areas of sudden depth change, where the barbel will rest up. The best way of finding such features is wading the river, and most of my small river swims have been found this way.
If depth permits, I use chest waders, feeling for depth changes in front of me with my landing net pole. If you do adopt this tactic, be mindful of your safety. You don't want to be stepping into any unexpected holes.
In early season, do not be discouraged if the only fish you can actually see are small ones. These will usually be the more active males, and their presence will confirm that the big females are nearby.
After spawning, the barbel may remain in the area for some time, recovering their strength in the wellaerated water. They are then easily spotted, and this gives another golden opportunity to catch one or two, before they disperse.
