Effective Barbel Rigs – Part One

Since appearing on Sky TV’s Tight Lines programme with Keith Arthur a few weeks ago I’ve received a huge number of enquiries asking me to explain in detail my barbel rigs and bait presentations. It certainly appears the programme made a lot of barbel anglers sit up and think.

During the programme some footage from the next Barbel Days and Ways DVD was shown and before anyone goes, ‘Oh, hello. He’s plugging the new release…’ let me say that it isn’t going to be available for quite a while yet, certainly not this side of Christmas and probably not before next May.

No, we just felt that it was an opportunity to give a brief insight into how we choose swims on a stretch of river that neither Stu (Walker) nor I have seen before. We threw in a few underwater insights that I’m not going to go into here and in between times I ran through a rig that has produced some fantastic catches for me this summer. The rig is one that I use mainly on the Trent although I’ve used it on the Wye and the Dove and I would probably make it my starting point on the Severn or the Ribble. In other words, I would use it on any medium sized river upwards.

In saying that, I’ve used it on much smaller rivers, too, and it has proved equally effective. It’s just a question of whether you actually feel you need to use a feeder on the smaller rivers. What I will say is that my small river rigs are identical to this in regard to everything below the swivel on the end of my main line so it really doesn’t matter where you fish, this rig could be relevant to you.

Let me set the scene first. Take the Tidal Trent as a really good example. Here you will be fishing blind. The river is wide, the flow is strong and you cannot see the bottom. It’s not a case of locating fish and then drawing them away from their haven by creating a feeding area, thus allowing you an opportunity to pick them off one at a time. On the tidal I’ll be creating a feeding area that I will hope to first attract nomadic fish and then hold them in the swim.

As a consequence it must be clearly understood that a rig in isolation is not the answer to everything, you must first get your feeding right and that may well be an article in its own right. Indeed, make that a date. I’ll cover feeding in next month’s magazine.

But let’s look at my tackle. I invariably fish with two rods on the Trent. In past seasons I’ve veered towards a feeder on the upstream rod and a straight lead, for searching the swim, on the downstream rod. This year I’ve used two feeders because of the need to get more bait into the swim and that’s as well as using a bait dropper in between times. I am using a lot of bait because the fish keep telling me they want it. It seems the more I put in the more they seem to want and in four short trips in daytime hours, normally 10am to 5pm I’ve had 46 barbel and for quite a bit of that time I’ve been fishing with only one rod.

You see, when the fish are having it, two rods can become a liability, rather than an advantage.

The feeders I’m using are the ones made by Paul Fisk, known to the barbelling world as Fisky’s Fantastic Feeders. The poor bloke will be tearing his hair out now I’ve mentioned his name again because he makes these feeders as a hobby. Normally he shifts his entire output at the various regional Barbel Society meetings and the last thing he needs is to go nationwide but the plain fact is, most commercially manufactured feeders are too light and they’re unable to stand up to the rigours of the River Trent. Once you add four, five or even six ounces of lead they give up the ghost and disintegrate. These don’t. End of!

Now you need a substantial rod to cast a loaded 3oz feeder, never mind a 5oz jobbie. This is why many anglers turn to carp rods but I am more than happy to use my Daiwa Infinity Barbel Specialist rods. Let’s face it, they were made to my own specifications and I personally took two of Daiwa’s top Japanese rod designers onto the Trent, in a flood, to show them exactly what I needed and why. It was only when I hooked a typical steam train that they fully understood and the, “Owoaagh, I see…” followed by gently nodding heads told me they had grasped the nettle and the result is the rod I use today.

It is matched with a 3500 sized reel. This has varied through the years from the SS3000s, the Advantages, Caldias and today it’s the Exceler. Basically, whatever has been in the current catalogue if I’m being honest. I trust Daiwa reels implicitly. They’ve never let me down, the drag systems are robust and reliable, and that’s all that matters to me. I tend to stick with 10lb Sensor line, mainly because it’s cheap, cheerful and robust whereas some prefer 12 or even 15lb line. If you do, then the 4000 sized reels are probably better but if I’m being honest, I’ve never actually needed much more than 50 yards of line on my reels for barbel fishing even on a long cast. The other 200 yards is backing that never sees the light of day, isn’t it?

What I wouldn’t recommend is any kind of baitrunner/ freespool kind of reel. It’s each to his or her own, of course, but this kind of reel is ideal for the angler who cannot concentrate on a rod, likes to fall asleep, or maybe wanders off to have a chat and share a few lagers with his mates. Seriously, the front drag of your reel is your baitrunner when you’re barbel fishing. You set it so the rod creates a bolt effect but will grudgingly give line when asked and Bob’s your uncle.

I appreciate that some anglers prefer a bolt rig, based on those used by carp anglers, for barbel fishing. I am not a fan of these for one very good reason. A ‘fixed’ weight is more likely to loosen a hook-hold in my view than a weight which can move up the line when a fish charges around, changing direction and diving into banks of ranunculus weed.

Over the years I’ve tried many variations and it’s fair to say I abandoned the swivel over a tail rubber idea long before it ever appeared in print because the rubbers split far too easily. The simple but effective twin large rubber beads worked quite well but you did suffer an occasional unexpected breakage caused when a wrapped-over hook link sheared the main line.

What has to be borne in mind is that a heavy swimfeeder exerts an awful lot of pressure on something like a third of a millimetre of line against which it sits, especially during casting and at the moment when the feeder pings clear of the water as you bring a fish to the net. Add in the times when a feeder gets caught on weed or behind a rock and it is clear this is a weak point in any set-up.

The logical solution is to transfer this pressure directly to the hook link swivel using a plastic lead clip however the key is to find the right lead clip – one which doesn’t trap the swivel, thereby retaining the running rig concept.

By far and away the most effective clips I’ve used to date are the ones made by Korum in the ‘standard’ size. These clips are intended for use with a peg which fixes the swivel into the clip so the lead can be ejected. DO NOT, under any circumstance, use the pegs when feeder fishing for barbel. Just allow the clip to run freely on the main line and make sure the feeder is secured firmly with the robust tail piece, otherwise you might lose your feeder and that’s neither good for the environment nor your pocket!

I always use a Palomar knot to secure this swivel to the main line and test it carefully. It is the key knot in my whole set-up as it is constantly under pressure through casting out and reeling in.

Now we move onto the hook link itself. Fluorocarbon lines were heralded as a massive breakthrough in fly fishing and then general coarse fishing because the refractive index is close to that of water making it practically invisible. It is dense and therefore sinks which keeps it close to the bottom but it is quite stiff. Time and time again while filming barbel behaviour Stu and I have seen barbel spook when they come into contact with fluorocarbon. If it was a one-off I’d dismiss it, but it isn’t. To make matters worse, when one barbel spooks off the rest tend to follow.

I could understand the fixation with fluorocarbon if barbel showed any fear of thick nylon or braids but quite frankly they do not. We have filmed barbel with strands of weed draped over their snouts and we’ve filmed them with soft braid draped over them, too. They simply don’t appear to care.

For this reason we have gravitated towards sinking braids as our first choice of hook link. In open water I use 10lb BS Drennan Sink Link. In weedy swims I’d happily use Kryston Merlin in 10lb BS. Other manufacturers produce similar products, the choice is entirely yours. What is important to me is the length of the hook link. I prefer it to be around 3 feet long. Why? Well, the answer is twofold. A long, supple hook link keeps a feeding fish well away from the point where my main line rises from the bottom. Secondly Stu and I have filmed fish ejecting baits presented on short hook links time and time again and our conclusion is that the tautness of a short hook link prevents the fish from properly mouthing the bait. A longer hook link facilitates this because there is always a degree of slackness between hook and feeder.

At the feeder end of the hook link I aim to create a boom which will hold the braid away from the feeder itself, thus reducing tangles and at the same time eliminating abrasion of the braid by rubbing against the feeder. Stu uses a simple length of silicone tubing. I prefer the tapered Korum Rig Sleeves. It’s personal choice.

We now come to the key elements which is the hooking arrangement. For years I put my faith in the knotless knot with nothing more besides. It seemed right to me and it was so simple to put all those savage raps on the rod tip which produced nothing as ‘nuisance’ chub. This season I’ve changed my presentation, I’m consistently catching more fish than ever before and the number of unproductive ‘raps’ has diminished dramatically. Perhaps it is coincidence, perhaps not.

I still use the knotless knot to attach my hook and create a hair but over this I simply slide a Korum Anti Eject Sleeve. It’s the small size you need. The result is in effect a bent hook rig and it is highly efficient when it comes to connecting with pick-ups.

Which leads on to the hooks I’m using. My choice is the Gamakatsu GP202 Wide Gape Specialist Hook in a size 8.

The beauty of this pattern is that it has a slightly in-turned point which is ideal when fishing over rocky, stony or gravel ground. What is most important though is you check the point before every single cast because you cannot afford for a point to be blunted or turned over. Ever!

The same pattern is available in barbless if you prefer, the code being GP203.

And that brings me on to the subject of hairs, baits and bait mounting. An opportune time, I guess, to break off and leave you waiting for Part Two when I’ll reveal all…

 

If you found this article useful then don’t miss Part Two.

Of course our acclaimed Barbel Days And Ways DVDs reveal far more than an article can.

Click HERE to purchase Barbel Days And Ways DVDs

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29 thoughts on “Effective Barbel Rigs – Part One

  1. Great read Bob and certainly gives me a few ideas and pointers to refine my rig, and also on some things i am possibly doing wrong. Nice to see you using a tripod very similar to my spro.

    johnny

  2. Great tips and information. thank you. I’ve just watched the ‘Featured Video'(feeding by hand)and it totally blew me away! awesome!

  3. Hi Harold,

    The rod rest set-up is a Daiwa Beachcaster Tripod (TDBR-1)which, glancing through the ads on Google, costs around £35.

    Regards

    Bob Roberts

  4. Hi Bob great article, I’m going fishing on the Ribble and wondered how you would use a barbel tunnel type feeder in this setup? The boom arm is rigid and the hole at the end doesn’t seem to take a quick change link because the hole is too small, thanks.

  5. Drilled pellets break down quicker than glued ones because they expose more surface area to the surrounding water so if you are waiting long periods between bites you may be better off using glue.

    Chub will frequently give you sharp raps on the rod tip as they snatch a bait and eject it but when this is happening they are more likely to break a pellet that’s drilled than one that is glued.

  6. No real need for a bead Bob. The lead clip shakes off the swivel easily enough but what it does do is create a sufficient bolt effect before doing so to set the hook.

  7. hi bob just wandering if you’ve made any changes to this rig or got a completely knew one? just looking back through this post and thought how to refine my rigs again, haha!
    Tight lines,
    Harrold

  8. Hi bob,i spoke to you at jerrys carthagena fishery you told me to go to collingham
    Itook your advice,and was very sucessfull,having just read this article,it makes life
    easy,great article mate,cheers, dave.

  9. Hi I can’t find anyone who stocks the Korum lead clip kits?? Have they stopped making them as a kit? are the ones called the quick change clips exactly the same? Thanks

  10. Bob,
    I’ve read your articles with great interest having started barbel fishing after a few years lay off.ive read and seen a shed load of rubbish out their and it’s refreshing to see some common sense that I can relate to having fished for carp for many years. Previously I’ve caught a few barbel on the Severn and wye with the best being 11lb 7oz on the Severn. I’ve rust started fishing the Trent and Dove.two very different Rivers.location seems to be an issue for me on both.should I be fishing fast rapids,slow glides,deep sections after rapids ect ect no barbel in four trips though a 6lb oz chub was welcome on one visit. Rigs and baiting are as you have previously advised.

    Many thanks

    • The Dove lends itself to observation. When its clear you can often see fish providing you wear good quality polarising glasses (Stu and I both wear Optilabs). It’s pretty much a case of finding cover, flow, gravel and reasonable depth although the fish are going to be where they want to be rather than where someone has put a big cross on the picture as in Mr Crabtree.

      The upper Trent is similar. Seek out the swims that offer cover. It’s about reading the river. We offer quite a bit of Watercraft information in our second Barbel Days and Ways DVD. The middle and lower Trent are well populated and you simply start with decent flow over 6 to 8 feet of water. As a novice, fish from the rocky bank and don’t cast out too far. This should put you in the boat channel and that’s where you’ll find most of the fish.

  11. Having retired in may and fished quite a lot on the Trent for a good few years I have become disenchanted with it.Having read your article I think I have become a bit of a stick in the mud.I used to catch regularly during the day on the tidal but last 2 years terrible.I found your article refreshing so this week im off gonna give it a go. Wish me luck Dave.

    • Afraid I’ve been ofline since October Chris (good old BT) so didn’t get your message in time to help out. Hope the match went well.

  12. Hi Bob
    Can I ask a question. I have caught literally hundreds of barbel from the Trent. I am now 63 and to be honest I lose very few . 12lb main and 12lb suffix hook link and fox or Nash hooks usually an 8 with micro barb. However I occasionally lose a fish like the other day when having watched my rod for 3 hrs o got up for a pee, put baitrunner on, I never usually use it and within 20 seconds line screamed off and I jumped back to strike doing so without stopping baitrunner and played out another 12 foot of line. I found fish still hooked but swim is rocky and obviously fish had been in snagged area. I pulled it clear but half way through fight line snapped. I could see it was crushes bit were it broke. Running feeder but 3 ft of line left on fish. I am becoming increasingly worried when this happens, very rarely can’t remember last one because of a wonderful fish pulling hook and a piece of braid. How will fish react to this? Any comments please.
    Cheers
    Peter

    • Hi Peter,

      I do feel that fish loses are part of life on the Trent. It’s inevitable that cut-offs on rocks and other snags will occur occasionally no matter who we are or what we do. Some swims are worse than others, that’s for sure. However, I don’t let it worry me because how often do you actually land a fish with someone else’s hook in it or trailing line?

      Not Very often.

      Let’s face it, there isn’t an infinite number of barbel in the river, we simply catch the same ones over and over again, just look closely for mouth damage as proof of that. Mostly the hooks are shed quite quickly. If not, the next angler to catch it removes the hook.

      Providing anglers use sensible rigs that are not fixed and allow the feeder or lead to pull free then there is zero risk of a fish getting tethered.

      As for getting bites when you pee, this is probably my ace in the hole. If things are slow drink lots of water and pee a lot! I do!!!

      Bob Roberts

  13. Hi Bob,

    Just been watching your Barbel Days and Ways DVDs, really great info and tips on all 3. I’m just wondering what you now use for reel line for barbel fishing these days?

    Cheers

    Pete

    • Glad you are enjoying the DVDs Pete. You say, ‘great tips on all 3’ but there are actually 4 parts. Maybe you missed one? Anyway, to your point, currently I am using Daiwa’s Infinity FloorIt line in 10lb. It’s a clear, sinking line that suits my purpose perfectly.

  14. Hello,Bob.
    I am in the process of ” returning to the rivers” after years of “holes in the ground” stuff! Iplan to visit the River Severn near Bewdley shortly ;can you give me any advice on rigs,baits,etc
    Regards,John Payne
    PS I am now a member of the BAA!

    • Hi John. Not being funny but if you search this site by clicking on the knowledge tab and scrolling down to barbel you’ll find a fair bit of stuff about rigs and bait. Certainly more than enough information to get you started. If you care to treat yourself you can enjoy 6 hours worth of practical instruction by some of the country’s top barbel anglers in the Barbel Days and Ways series of films. If they don’t fill your head with ideas I’ll eat my hat. As well as that might I suggest you join the Barbel Society which holds meetings in your area with guest speakers, prints a dedicated barbel magazine and holds an annual conference with top speakers, trade stands and much, much more. Oh, and Des Taylor provides coaching sessions on the Severn around Bewdley.

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