ACCIDENTAL catches can be one of angling’s great pleasures, especially when they come in the form of a new personal best like this fine 12lb 12oz barbel, which took a small plastic lure intended for predatory species.
The impressive fish was landed by Robert Onicala during a morning trip to the River Severn to target zander. The healthcare assistant from Bedford had already landed several decent ‘zeds’ when a really powerful take left him wondering what he’d connected with.
“When I first hooked the fish, I thought it must be a salmon or a massive pike, judging by the rate at which line was being taken from the reel,” Robert told us. “So when this beautiful barbel finally surfaced, I was speechless. It’s my new PB, and a fish I’m totally delighted with.”
Robert was using a soft plastic lure called a TRD, which is worked steadily across the riverbed and roughly resembles a crayfish.
