It is not often many anglers catch a barbel on their first trip targeting the species, let alone experiencing a session even seasoned specimen anglers could only dream about. However, that is exactly what happened to lifelong angler Gary Gregory, resulting in a dream capture.
Accompanying some friends, Gary was fishing at Gunthorpe Lock on the River Trent where he went on to catch three barbel weighing, 11lb, 15 and a 17lb giant during his session.
"My mates invited me to fish for barbel at Gunthorpe Lock, on the River Trent, in what’d be my first session targeting the species," Gary told us.
“I live down in Milton Keynes, so I planned a three-night trip due to the distance and it turned out to be a dream session!"
“My mates put me in the ‘hot’ swim, and I decided to use my faithful Cocoon boilie hookbaits. When I connected with the 17-pounder, I thought I was snagged, but then realised the ‘snag’ was steadily moving about!"
"I had fish of 11lb 15oz, 15lb 5oz and, finally, this one of 17lb 1oz! In addition, I caught chub to 6lb 2oz, to round off what was an amazing session"
“I’ve caught big catfish and carp in the past, but the fight of that barbel was something else. "
"My friend has never caught one bigger than 12lb 5oz, and he’s fished there for years – I’d beaten that twice, much to his delight," he said.
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