Despite the colder temperatures, with extra water in the rivers, there are still some big barbel to be caught if you can find them. As proven by Vaidotas Pocius' capture of this 16lb 12oz specimen from the River Trent.
Fishing with his friend Ash, who has been teaching him the finer points of barbel fishing, his session started well with a PB of 11lb 10oz, but after a swim move the following day, things got even better...
"I received a screaming run and picked up into what I thought was a snag," he told us.
"Ash assured me it wasn't a snag, but a very big fish!
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"It started taking line and I realised I was dealing with something special.
"After a long battle the barbel ended up in the net, and it was clear I'd landed the fish of a lifetime.
"At 16lb 12oz, it's my new personal best - two in one trip!"
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