When it comes to barbel fishing, there is one rig that rules on the majority of waters and that's the feeder. Known by some as the 'Time Bomb', an open-ended feeder with groundbait and pellets will catch you barbel everywhere you take it.
By recasting a feeder packed with fishmeal groundbait and a mix of pellets every 20-30 minutes, you can quickly build up a stream of enticing particles which will drift downstream and draw in barbel from far and wide.
Match the size of the feeder to the pace of flow so that it just holds bottom comfortably, and be sure to use a hooklink of at least 2ft, but don’t be afraid to increase this to 4ft or so if the fish start to back off the feeder after one or two have been caught. Experimenting with hookbaits is also time well spent, and can bring remarkably quick results.
FIND THE BEST BARBEL FISHING VENUES NEAR YOU BY TAKING A LOOK AT OUR WHERE TO FISH GUIDES.
The tackle you need to create a barbel pellet feeder rig
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Use a 30g-120g cage feeder, you can block the ends on these feeders and place pellets or other goodies in the middle. Find the right one for you in our guide to the best river feeders.
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Two quick-change swivels are required for the hooklink and feeder. These help you change weights and hooklink lengths quickly.
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A 10-12lb mainline is recommended for feeder fishing on rivers. The weights required are sometimes heavy, the flows and fish are powerful, and the environment itself can be quite snaggy. You need line that won't let you down. Find the best line for you in our buyer's guide to mainlines.
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A 6-10lb mono or fluorocarbon hooklink is best for feeder fishing in clear conditions. When coloured, try switching to a braid. Use the strongest possible line to avoid breakages.
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A size 12-8 hook is strong enough to hold barbel but not too big to spook them.
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Try to feather your cast so the feeder hits the water as quietly as possible to avoid spooking the fish.
Top tips for fishing the barbel pellet feeder
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Banded or drilled 8mm-12mm halibut pellets are favoured as hookbaits by most but, when bites dry up, switching to alternatives, such as Elips pellets, can re-ignite a session. Two Elips pellets glued back-to-back on the hair make a brilliant ‘change bait’ on busy venues.
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Use a mix of small pellets in the feeder, plugged at either end with damp fishmeal groundbait.
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Attach the feeder and hooklink with quick-change swivels so you can quickly adjust to any situation.
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Cast regularly to build up a strong flow of bait going through the swim.
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Try to ignore taps and knocks, as these are likely fish hitting the feeder or line. You won't miss a barbel bite when it comes!
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Try to use enough weight so your feeder holds on the bottom once you cast in, but moves once disturbed by fish activity.
GET THE BEST RODS AND REELS FOR BARBEL FISHING BY CHECKING OUT OUR LATEST BUYER'S GUIDES.
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