Barbel taps - Fact or Fiction

[Zerkalo]

On the Severn I usually use Sonubaits Barbel Hookbaits or similar Dumbbells, simple hair rig, and vary the length of the hair and hooklength. I do it in a simple way, short hair because there are Chub about and I want to catch those too, longer hooklength the clearer the water is as a rough starting point, but I have heard about some much more complicated specialist tactics and rigs. On the local river I'm usually fishing bunches of maggots direct on the hook.

 

[Wise Owl]

On the Severn I usually use Sonubaits Barbel Hookbaits or similar Dumbbells, simple hair rig, and vary the length of the hair and hooklength. I do it in a simple way, short hair because there are Chub about and I want to catch those too, longer hooklength the clearer the water is as a rough starting point, but I have heard about some much more complicated specialist tactics and rigs. On the local river I'm usually fishing bunches of maggots direct on the hook.

I use them but break em inhalf and Hair rig em with the 2 rough bits on the outside, ive had better success that way mate.

 

[Zerkalo]

I use them but break em inhalf and Hair rig em with the 2 rough bits on the outside, ive had better success that way mate.

First time I used them I was surprised I caught anything on them (was first time Barbel fishing so wasn't sure if I was doing anything right!) as they're very smooth and don't smell very much as well as being the same colour as a sandy bottom! Makes sense to try that, I'll give it a go...

 

[Wise Owl]

First time I used them I was surprised I caught anything on them (was first time Barbel fishing so wasn't sure if I was doing anything right!) as they're very smooth and don't smell very much as well as being the same colour as a sandy bottom! Makes sense to try that, I'll give it a go...

If its up a bit i put 3 bits on the Hair mate and Glug em up with summat smelly.

 

[Wise Owl]

Ive always Believed that the Whiskers on the Barbel being so sensitive would be better on a roughed up bait than a smooth one, i have a little Grater i use regular to do this with Boilies and Halibut pellets, also Broken Meat not cut

 

[SteveinSwindon]

Until the last 3 or 4 years, our annual pilgrimage to the middle Severn for a week or so always involved fishing hemp and caster in a block end feeder. Until you struck at a bite (generally a quick rattle) you rarely knew if it was a dace, roach, chub or a barbel. So I certainly think not all barbel bites are rod benders.

However, using pellet, boil or meat all the bites tend to be violent pulls.

 

[Wise Owl]

Until the last 3 or 4 years, our annual pilgrimage to the middle Severn for a week or so always involved fishing hemp and caster in a block end feeder. Until you struck at a bite (generally a quick rattle) you rarely knew if it was a dace, roach, chub or a barbel. So I certainly think not all barbel bites are rod benders.

However, using pellet, boil or meat all the bites tend to be violent pulls.

Mate i Hair rig a Plaggy Caster in a short hair then 2 real ones on the 14 hook, one up the shank pushing the fake one out and the other nipped on the Point, ive had the rod hit me under the chin

 

[Zerkalo]

Fishing the way I do on the Severn with fairly big baits, I've got to love the way I can sit there for a few hours without a bite and then out of the blue my Barbel Rod tip will hammer round with a 3 foot twitch. I do get the odd rattle on my Barbel rod tip but when using a lighter quiver tip with maggots on the local river it shows up everything including what I call 'line bites' but in reality could be anything.

 

[Wise Owl]

Ive had more Barbel the last 2 year on smaller baits, 2 - 3 pieces of squeezed Corn on the hair, 2 8mm Robin Reds, small rips of meat, its funny that when i tried this id been on Bigs Boilies and Hallibut Pellets with not a Knock, went smaller Bang 2 -3 Barbel.

 

[Zerkalo]

Definitely a place for it, my local river has taught me that maggots can be deadly so I might be trying it more often on the Severn, or at least smaller baits. Seems Barbel are food finding machines and will home in on something you might think would be lost in big river.

 

[Wise Owl]

Another thing ive started doing is Feeding with a Spomb, about 2 - 3 hours before Dark i bait up with the spomb Not much about 5 chucks full of Pellets, Hemp, and 8mm meat thats been through the Cutter.

 

[Zerkalo]

The only way I've fished so far is the 'time bomb' method, not even having a few casts to start with, just relying on the feeder, so spombing sounds an interesting thing for me to try to get some bait out there.

 

[tee.bee]

past two seasons ive been getting great results on 6mm course pellets banded to the bend of the hook no hair.a lot of the fish have been getting caught during the day as well

 

[tee.bee]

if i am fishing an upstream rod i with a big bow in the line i would strike at taps and knocks down stream rods the fish dont hold back its mostly the 3 foot twitch

 

[Capt Birdseye]

When Barbel fishing I watch the tip, you notice all sorts of little knocks and movements in the flow especially on a quiver tip.

I remember John Wilson touch legering for Barbel, something I've not tried, and he said before you get a bite you feel a sandpaper sensation on the line, this is apparently the Barbel's whiskers on the line before they take the bait!

Had a few little rattles today and told myself that's a Barbel's Whiskers in hope. I doubt it was and more likely to be stuff hitting the line causing a slight rattle on the tip.

What do you reckon, Barbel whiskers or stuff hitting the line?

Only time Ive felt the sandpaper effect was with Australian Barbel

 

[Zerkalo]

Only time Ive felt the sandpaper effect was with Australian Barbel

Do you mean these?

australian barbell - Google Search

No need for them after a good days fishing. Or maybe...

 

[BoldBear]

Do you mean these?

australian barbell - Google Search

No need for them after a good days fishing. Or maybe...

Or these?

Stock Photo - fish australia australian barbel blue mouth eye organ golden dots exotic booth

Download this stock image: fish australia australian barbel blue mouth eye organ golden dots exotic booth - J82YCK from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors.

www.alamy.com

Wasn’t aware of any Barbel like the ones we catch in the UK swimming in Australian waters; and couldn’t find anything on the web about Aussie Barbel either; other than the ones above Captain

Keith

 

[Zerkalo]

Or these?

Stock Photo - fish australia australian barbel blue mouth eye organ golden dots exotic booth

Download this stock image: fish australia australian barbel blue mouth eye organ golden dots exotic booth - J82YCK from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors.

www.alamy.com

Keith

Everyday's a school day!

 

[Tinca Mad]

Great thread. I've learned lots.
Is it better to fish a reel mono that Barbel can see so that if doesn't scare them?
And where possible do you fish with the rod pointing down towards the water and sinking leader to pin the line down so they can't feel it?

 

[Arry]

Wouldn't mind another go on the Severn fished it a good few times in the early noughties... usually the Trimpley stretch at Bewdley or Stourport for the Roach.. the Barbel at Trimpley were smaller and a bite of a youngster was savage.... long hooklinks and IC1 boilies were the rig and bait of choice with a big PVA bag of chops tied to the lead swivel..