Barbel are growing in popularity, with many anglers turning away from stillwaters and carp fishing in favor of pursuing the Prince of the River. Big barbel are now more accessible than ever, thanks to prolific day-ticket stretches on rivers like the Thames, Trent, Severn, and Avon, where anglers can catch the fish-of-a-lifetime with minimal experience.
Whether you're an experienced barbel angler or new to the species and looking to improve your barbel angling, knowing which river features to target can greatly increase your chances of landing one.
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH A BIG BARBEL ON A DAY TICKET, THESE STRETCHES ARE WELL WORTH A TRY!
Weirpools
Barbel have a higher oxygen requirement than many other coarse fish, making weir pools an ideal habitat for them, especially during low water conditions in the summer months. The fast, turbulent waters help dissolve oxygen, making it more accessible to barbel.
Additionally, the water tends to be deeper near the weir itself, and due to the way the current moves, food often collects in this area, creating a natural feeding larder for the barbel to gorge themselves. If the barbel aren't holding in the deeper water, try fishing where the water begins to smooth out slightly downstream of the weir—this is where the riverbed shallows, creating another prime spot where food drifts towards waiting barbel.
CATCHING BIG BARBEL IS DEMANDING, THE BEST BARBEL REELS HAVE THE EXTRA POWER YOU NEED.
Snags
Any overhang, snag, or raft acts as a natural magnet for all river fish, especially barbel. If you're fishing a fairly featureless stretch of river with a single large snag, chances are that’s where the barbel will be—particularly if predators are present in the water.
The shade created by these features usually prevents weed growth, keeping the area beneath them clear, which is great for presentation. To position your rig effectively, cast beyond the snag into open water, then hold the line tight while dipping your rod tip below the surface. This technique helps the rig swing back further underneath the snag, where barbel are likely to be waiting.
However, always use strong tackle, and if you’re not confident you can safely land a hooked barbel, it's best to avoid fishing there.
THE BEST BARBEL RODS HAVE THE STRENGTH REQUIRED TO GET BIG BARBEL OUT OF SNAGS.
Deeper water
Barbel are happy to sit in shallow water, but they are often quite wary and difficult to catch in these areas. If your river features a deeper drop-off after a long, shallow glide, this can be a prime spot to target. The change in water velocity causes any suspended food to sink to the bottom, creating a natural feeding area. Additionally, the extra depth can give barbel more confidence to feed.
A SET OF THE BEST FISHING WADERS CAN HELP YOU GET OUT TO WHERE THE BARBEL ARE SITTING.
Creases
If the river is in flood, you need to adapt to the conditions just as the barbel do and choose different areas to fish. One key area to target is the crease, where faster water meets slower water. This creates a distinctive swirling pattern on the surface as the currents mix. Creases are superb fishing spots because they allow barbel to move into the current to feed and then drop back into the slower water to rest.
Another great area is the crease between two river sections meeting, this confluence of water is like a motorway for food and there are many famous hotspots on rivers up and down the country refers to as 'waters meet' swims. Trotting a float down this section can be a great way of catching barbel.
CATCHING BARBEL ON THE FLOAT ISN'T DIFFICULT, FOLLOW THE TIPS IN THIS ARTICLE AND LAND ONE SOON!
Weedbeds
Many shallower rivers where barbel are found often have abundant weed growth. This long, streamer-style weed provides the perfect sanctuary, allowing barbel to move in and out of the cover almost undetected, feeding and living comfortably.
In these conditions, rolling a bait between the weed beds is an excellent way to locate and catch barbel. Even if the barbel aren't particularly interested in feeding, they’ll find it hard to resist a well-presented piece of rolled luncheon meat!
BARBEL FISHING CAN BE A WAITING GAME, SIT COMFORTABLY ON ONE OF THE BEST FISHING CHAIRS.
