SIMON Daley has been on fire since his Drennan Cup win last year, and this 16lb 12oz barbel is the pick of his catches this season.
After finding an area with a clean gravel bottom, he settled into the swim and had a chub in quick order on a homemade boilie before things went quiet. Then at 10.30pm, just as he was begining to pack up, his rod slammed over.
The powerful fish stripped line off a tight clutch, before he finally netted what he describes as ‘the longest barbel’ he’s ever caught. Simon believes the fish has the potential to reach 19lb later in the season and ranks it as one of his best-ever barbel captures.
Simon Daley – 16lb 12oz barbel