TOM SCHOLEY PICKS THE BRAINS OF BARBEL EXPERT BRAD HANCOCK, AND GIVES SOME TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU BREAK YOUR PB BEFORE THE END OF THE SEASON
Tom Scholey picks the brains of barbel specialist Brad Hancock, & gets 5 top tips that will help anyone break their PB.
FLOATING NEEONZ - THE ULTIMATE STANDOUT POP-UP
FLOATING NEEONZ - THE ULTIMATE STANDOUT POP-UP
FLOATING NEEONZ - THE ULTIMATE STANDOUT POP-UP
Multiple rods at key times get more bites
1. TIMING IS EVERYTHING
There are three key bite times at this time of year. If possible you need rods in the water for all three to give yourself the best chance of doing the damage.
The first is early morning, just as the sun is rising. The second is Midday - when the water is at its warmest. The last is as it is going dark, and just into the hours of darkness.
1. TIMING IS EVERYTHING
There are three key bite times at this time of year. If possible you need rods in the water for all three to give yourself the best chance of doing the damage.
The first is early morning, just as the sun is rising. The second is Midday - when the water is at its warmest. The last is as it is going dark, and just into the hours of darkness.
2. COVER YOUR OPTIONS
Brad likes to use two rods when possible, to cover more water and experiment with baits. Three baits are all he takes with him. Maggots, which are his go to approach, some of the Vortex Baits Insecto boilies, and pellets. He likes the versatility of Fjuka pellets, as they allow him to change colour, and make bigger and smaller baits when required.
3. COLOUR IS KEY
Not enough people pay attention to bait colour. Black is the traditional barbel bait colour, and while it is great on its day, there are plenty of occasions when barbel prefer other colours. A change between two black Fatboys, and two red Fatboys bought an instant response on the day.
2. COVER YOUR OPTIONS
Brad likes to use two rods when possible, to cover more water and experiment with baits. Three baits are all he takes with him. Maggots, which are his go to approach, some of the Vortex Baits Insecto boilies, and pellets. He likes the versatility of Fjuka pellets, as they allow him to change colour, and make bigger and smaller baits when required.
More options give a better chance of
finding the fishes' preferences
Change colours for an instant response
3. COLOUR IS KEY
Not enough people pay attention to bait colour. Black is the traditional barbel bait colour, and while it is great on its day, there are plenty of occasions when barbel prefer other colours. A change between two black Fatboys, and two red Fatboys bought an instant response on the day.
4. DONT BE PATIENT
Too many people think that winter barbel fishing is about casting out a big smelly bait and waiting for hours. The reverse is true. Regular casting is key. Brad leaves rods in for 20 minutes max, before recasting. The thinking here is all about keeping bait going through the peg to draw fish into the area.
Tom Bagged a 12-5-0 Trent whisker
£25k Parkdean Masters title holder and match scene star, Brad Hancock
5. THINK BIG
Winter barbel fishing is no place for fine lines and small hooks. With feeders up to 8oz bouncing around, you need strong lines and big hooks. Brad uses 15lb Gardner GT Line, to size 8 Korda Wide Gape hooks. The Hooklength is 20lb Fox Camotex Semi Stiff, stripped of its coating from eight inches above the hook, down to the hook for suppleness.
Follow our 5 tips and bag yourself an end of season Barbel.
1. TIMING IS EVERYTHING
There are three key bite times at this time of year. If possible you need rods in the water for all three to give yourself the best chance of doing the damage.
The first is early morning, just as the sun is rising. The second is Midday - when the water is at its warmest. The last is as it is going dark, and just into the hours of darkness.
FLOATING NEEONZ - THE ULTIMATE STANDOUT POP-UP
2. COVER YOUR OPTIONS
Brad likes to use two rods when possible, to cover more water and experiment with baits. Three baits are all he takes with him. Maggots, which are his go to approach, some of the Vortex Baits Insecto boilies, and pellets. He likes the versatility of Fjuka pellets, as they allow him to change colour, and make bigger and smaller baits when required.
3. COLOUR IS KEY
Not enough people pay attention to bait colour. Black is the traditional barbel bait colour, and while it is great on its day, there are plenty of occasions when barbel prefer other colours. A change between two black Fatboys, and two red Fatboys bought an instant response on the day.
4. DONT BE PATIENT
Too many people think that winter barbel fishing is about casting out a big smelly bait and waiting for hours. The reverse is true. Regular casting is key. Brad leaves rods in for 20 minutes max, before recasting. The thinking here is all about keeping bait going through the peg to draw fish into the area.
5. THINK BIG
Winter barbel fishing is no place for fine lines and small hooks. With feeders to 8oz bouncing around, you need strong lines and big hooks. Brad uses 15lb Gardner GT Line, to size 8 Korda Wide Gape hooks. The Hooklength is 20lb Fox Camotex Semi Stiff, stripped of its coating from eight inches above the hook, down to the hook for suppleness.
Follow our 5 tips to bag yourself an end of season Barbel
Watch Top Match Angler bag a personal best river Barbel
Barbel expert Brad Hancock helps Tom catch a NEW PB BARBEL of 12-5-0.
He explains, the timings, tactics and baits that you need to know to catch yourself a double-figure Barbel.