Big Barbel - The Predator?
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Big Barbel - The Predator?
My question is;
Are big barbel predators?
On barbel rivers that experience a migratory run of salmon It is not unknown for a big barbel to by caught by a salmon angler.
Infact over the past couple of hundered years there are many records of big barbel being caught by salmon anglers on flies and spun deadbaits.
Yet we never catch one while pike fishing
Are big barbel predators?
On barbel rivers that experience a migratory run of salmon It is not unknown for a big barbel to by caught by a salmon angler.
Infact over the past couple of hundered years there are many records of big barbel being caught by salmon anglers on flies and spun deadbaits.
Yet we never catch one while pike fishing
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
-
- Jack Pike
- Posts: 378
- Joined: Fri Sep 23 2016 18:28
- Location: England
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Luck of the draw I think , I have caught carp on roach tail section fishing for eels ,so there's no reason i suppose a barbel wouldn't have a go
Born to fish but forced to work
- dannytaylor
- Barbel
- Posts: 4603
- Joined: Mon Aug 29 2011 05:00
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
All fish are predatory to some extent. Certain times of year most fish capitalise on whatever glut is available and that can often be spawn and fry. Barbel get caught on lampreys and minnows.look at the Spanish barbel, they like a lure and as Mike says on salmon rivers they fall to Devon minnows.
I've had bream on dead baits and watched my dad get one on a shad intended for perch. Rudd get caught on small spinners and wasn't there a picture on here years ago of one on a stone loach or something?
Carp are more predatory than people think. I've watched two nice commons in clear water sucking up fry, and I've had them on shads. There was a theory that commons can be more predatory than mirrors. I'm sure I read of a carp angler who experimented with dead baits on a water that had some hard to catch big commons that rarely saw the bank and he had some success.
A very interesting topic.....................
I've had bream on dead baits and watched my dad get one on a shad intended for perch. Rudd get caught on small spinners and wasn't there a picture on here years ago of one on a stone loach or something?
Carp are more predatory than people think. I've watched two nice commons in clear water sucking up fry, and I've had them on shads. There was a theory that commons can be more predatory than mirrors. I'm sure I read of a carp angler who experimented with dead baits on a water that had some hard to catch big commons that rarely saw the bank and he had some success.
A very interesting topic.....................
- AndyLarkins
- Perch
- Posts: 673
- Joined: Sat Aug 27 2011 05:00
- Location: Kent
- Contact:
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Several years ago, James "The Doc" Gardner along with long-term fishing companion Andy Lush gave us a talk at PAC Region 30/60 re this theme
Some of their exploits can be viewed here.....
http://www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk/a ... h_gold.asp
http://www.flyfishing-and-flytying.co.u ... on_barbel/
http://www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk/a ... barbel.asp
Certainly was an eye-opener! (different specie of Barbel granted)
(TOP anglers and all-round bloody good eggs face)
Some of their exploits can be viewed here.....
http://www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk/a ... h_gold.asp
http://www.flyfishing-and-flytying.co.u ... on_barbel/
http://www.thefriendlyfisherman.co.uk/a ... barbel.asp
Certainly was an eye-opener! (different specie of Barbel granted)
(TOP anglers and all-round bloody good eggs face)
http://www.canterburypac.blogspot.com
"C'MON!.. Ya like a fat girl in red shoes" Andy Brown 2015
"C'MON!.. Ya like a fat girl in red shoes" Andy Brown 2015
-
- Chub
- Posts: 1251
- Joined: Sat Aug 27 2011 05:00
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Peter Stone wrote about this in one of his earlier books. I've caught Carp Chub and Roach on deadbait so no reason why Barbel won't take them in he right circumstance.
Support the PAC.
Tidal River Piker
Covid Loves a Crowd.
Tidal River Piker
Covid Loves a Crowd.
-
- Barbel
- Posts: 3729
- Joined: Sat Aug 27 2011 05:00
- Location: Lincoln
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
I know some Polish lads who are very good at targeting them with small lures, often crayfish imitations, but any small soft plastic works if you have it in the right place and they're hungry. They pop up in the catch reports on the LAS forum fairly frequently.
As its been said, most fish are predatory to an extent, most people don't realise it though because there are easier ways to catch course fish so never bother to target them with lures. Pete Felstead on the LAS is a dab hand at catching pretty much anything that swims, including roach, dace, rudd, skimmers, bream to name just a few, all on lures.
As its been said, most fish are predatory to an extent, most people don't realise it though because there are easier ways to catch course fish so never bother to target them with lures. Pete Felstead on the LAS is a dab hand at catching pretty much anything that swims, including roach, dace, rudd, skimmers, bream to name just a few, all on lures.
-
- Zander
- Posts: 9999
- Joined: Tue Nov 06 2012 06:00
- Location: Cambs
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
dannytaylor wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12 2017 12:31 -"All fish are predatory"All fish are predatory to some extent. Certain times of year most fish capitalise on whatever glut is available and that can often be spawn and fry. Barbel get caught on lampreys and minnows.look at the Spanish barbel, they like a lure and as Mike says on salmon rivers they fall to Devon minnows.
I've had bream on dead baits and watched my dad get one on a shad intended for perch. Rudd get caught on small spinners and wasn't there a picture on here years ago of one on a stone loach or something?
Carp are more predatory than people think. I've watched two nice commons in clear water sucking up fry, and I've had them on shads. There was a theory that commons can be more predatory than mirrors. I'm sure I read of a carp angler who experimented with dead baits on a water that had some hard to catch big commons that rarely saw the bank and he had some success.
A very interesting topic.....................
Agreed
Cheers Alan
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" Seneca, some Roman chap.
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Nev had one on a full lamprey complete with 2 x trebles
mate of mine had 4 in one session on pieces of lamprey
mate of mine had 4 in one session on pieces of lamprey
-
- Zander
- Posts: 9999
- Joined: Tue Nov 06 2012 06:00
- Location: Cambs
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
In a fish tank a few years ago a dace about 1.5 inches had a stone loach stuck in its gob...food is food!
I tried to catch barbel on dead baits few years ago,never got one but had them taking freebies.
Seen them chasing small fish in the shallows.
Remember reading an article about a chap that used deads and caught barbel.
A pellet or boilie is just a miniature dead bait!
Cheers Alan
I tried to catch barbel on dead baits few years ago,never got one but had them taking freebies.
Seen them chasing small fish in the shallows.
Remember reading an article about a chap that used deads and caught barbel.
A pellet or boilie is just a miniature dead bait!
Cheers Alan
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" Seneca, some Roman chap.
-
- Jack Pike
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Wed Apr 29 2015 17:48
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
I've written quite a lot about my experiences deliberately using deadbaits for other species over the years. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do links here to Angler's Net, but you'll find some of these articles there, including one wholly on the topic. Mods - please delete the reference if against the rules.
-
- Jack Pike
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Wed Apr 29 2015 17:48
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Mods, am I allowed to give the name of the deadbait article on Angler's Net? I won't unless expressly given permission.
- Jason Skilton
- Zander
- Posts: 7015
- Joined: Wed Sep 07 2011 05:00
- Location: East Anglia
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Steve Burke wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12 2017 22:02 -Yes Steve you can do :-)Mods, am I allowed to give the name of the deadbait article on Angler's Net? I won't unless expressly given permission.
- Fentiger01
- Disco Dave
- Posts: 9994
- Joined: Tue Sep 06 2011 05:00
- Location: Far side of the moon.
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
When I was a nipper (late 70's), if I remember correctly one of the biggest Barbel ever at the time (around 14lb 6oz) was caught by a Salmon angler on a devon minnow.
Another big up to Pete Felstead who was mentioned earlier, the bloke has taken lure fishing to an incredible level.
Another big up to Pete Felstead who was mentioned earlier, the bloke has taken lure fishing to an incredible level.
Eagles may soar, but Weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
-
- Zander
- Posts: 9999
- Joined: Tue Nov 06 2012 06:00
- Location: Cambs
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Fentiger01 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22 2017 21:18 -Dave, the record was I believe 14.6 until the early 90s, two fish shared this heady position, but years previously a fish was caught off Ibsley bridge by a salmon angler but was out of season, weighed 16.1 and yes I'm sure it was on a devon minnow.When I was a nipper (late 70's), if I remember correctly one of the biggest Barbel ever at the time (around 14lb 6oz) was caught by a Salmon angler on a devon minnow.
Another big up to Pete Felstead who was mentioned earlier, the bloke has taken lure fishing to an incredible level.
The ibsley fish is written into barbel folk law and I remember driving along in that part of the world and seeing a sign for Ibsley so I turned off and drove there, stood on the bridge and peered into those cool clear waters dreaming of whiskered leviathans......the prat I am
Cheers Alan
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" Seneca, some Roman chap.
- Fentiger01
- Disco Dave
- Posts: 9994
- Joined: Tue Sep 06 2011 05:00
- Location: Far side of the moon.
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
cookiesdaughtersdad wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23 2017 06:47 -Long time ago Alan and I was a mere whipper snapper but yeh, that sounds about right by my memory.Fentiger01 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22 2017 21:18 -Dave, the record was I believe 14.6 until the early 90s, two fish shared this heady position, but years previously a fish was caught off Ibsley bridge by a salmon angler but was out of season, weighed 16.1 and yes I'm sure it was on a devon minnow.When I was a nipper (late 70's), if I remember correctly one of the biggest Barbel ever at the time (around 14lb 6oz) was caught by a Salmon angler on a devon minnow.
Another big up to Pete Felstead who was mentioned earlier, the bloke has taken lure fishing to an incredible level.
The ibsley fish is written into barbel folk law and I remember driving along in that part of the world and seeing a sign for Ibsley so I turned off and drove there, stood on the bridge and peered into those cool clear waters dreaming of whiskered leviathans......the prat I am
Cheers Alan
Eagles may soar, but Weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
-
- Chub
- Posts: 1881
- Joined: Sat Aug 27 2011 05:00
- Location: notts
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
I know a lure angler who had an 8lber on a lure the barbel was totally blind and probably feeding in vibratory mode, although in old fishing books a dead or live gudgeon was recommended as bait.
Always quietly confident.
- Ratty46
- Chub
- Posts: 2353
- Joined: Tue Sep 20 2011 05:00
- Location: somewhere i shouldn't be
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Sam Edmond's targets barbel on lures, and he catches a few!!
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
cookiesdaughtersdad wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23 2017 06:47 -Fentiger01 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22 2017 21:18 -Dave, the record was I believe 14.6 until the early 90s, two fish shared this heady position, but years previously a fish was caught off Ibsley bridge by a salmon angler but was out of season, weighed 16.1 and yes I'm sure it was on a devon minnow.When I was a nipper (late 70's), if I remember correctly one of the biggest Barbel ever at the time (around 14lb 6oz) was caught by a Salmon angler on a devon minnow.
Another big up to Pete Felstead who was mentioned earlier, the bloke has taken lure fishing to an incredible level.
The ibsley fish is written into barbel folk law and I remember driving along in that part of the world and seeing a sign for Ibsley so I turned off and drove there, stood on the bridge and peered into those cool clear waters dreaming of whiskered leviathans......the prat I am
Cheers Alan
Not a p**t at all Alan, we all do it, its just that some of us do it more than others.
Only the other day I chatted to yet another visitor who had stood on the bridge and gazed into those crystal waters (then asked me if it was the river Wylye )
The river of dreams, it certainly is, there is no other to compare.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
- ironpike
- Stickleback
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Tue Nov 28 2017 15:22
- Location: Leon-Barcelona (Spain)
- Contact:
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
I can share my experience with Spanish barbels .
I've fished 3 different species: Andalusian barbel (Luciobarbus sclateri), Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus comizo) and Luciobarbus bocagei
They are hard to fool, but they prey on bleaks quite often, got one with a Fiiish Black Minnow this summer, though it broke the line when I was about to land it. The fight was hard to forget, they are f**** torpedoes when hooked.
Also got many follows and failed attacks on crankbaits.
About other cyprinids, I've caught common carps and even huge bleaks while fishing catfish and perchs with spoons and soft plastics. When food dwindles any fish can become a fierce predator.
I've fished 3 different species: Andalusian barbel (Luciobarbus sclateri), Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus comizo) and Luciobarbus bocagei
They are hard to fool, but they prey on bleaks quite often, got one with a Fiiish Black Minnow this summer, though it broke the line when I was about to land it. The fight was hard to forget, they are f**** torpedoes when hooked.
Also got many follows and failed attacks on crankbaits.
About other cyprinids, I've caught common carps and even huge bleaks while fishing catfish and perchs with spoons and soft plastics. When food dwindles any fish can become a fierce predator.
- dannytaylor
- Barbel
- Posts: 4603
- Joined: Mon Aug 29 2011 05:00
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
ironpike wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29 2017 11:02 -I'd really like to have a go at the different barbel species in Spain, looks like cracking fishingI can share my experience with Spanish barbels .
I've fished 3 different species: Andalusian barbel (Luciobarbus sclateri), Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus comizo) and Luciobarbus bocagei
They are hard to fool, but they prey on bleaks quite often, got one with a Fiiish Black Minnow this summer, though it broke the line when I was about to land it. The fight was hard to forget, they are f**** torpedoes when hooked.
Also got many follows and failed attacks on crankbaits.
About other cyprinids, I've caught common carps and even huge bleaks while fishing catfish and perchs with spoons and soft plastics. When food dwindles any fish can become a fierce predator.
(You can keep them horrible slug fish )
-
- Roach
- Posts: 247
- Joined: Tue Oct 11 2011 05:00
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
cookiesdaughtersdad wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23 2017 06:47 -The 16lb 1oz fish caught by Charles Cassey at Ibsley was, I'm pretty sure, foul hooked Alan, he was using a Devon minnow however.Fentiger01 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22 2017 21:18 -Dave, the record was I believe 14.6 until the early 90s, two fish shared this heady position, but years previously a fish was caught off Ibsley bridge by a salmon angler but was out of season, weighed 16.1 and yes I'm sure it was on a devon minnow.When I was a nipper (late 70's), if I remember correctly one of the biggest Barbel ever at the time (around 14lb 6oz) was caught by a Salmon angler on a devon minnow.
Another big up to Pete Felstead who was mentioned earlier, the bloke has taken lure fishing to an incredible level.
The ibsley fish is written into barbel folk law and I remember driving along in that part of the world and seeing a sign for Ibsley so I turned off and drove there, stood on the bridge and peered into those cool clear waters dreaming of whiskered leviathans......the prat I am
Cheers Alan
- pikerholic2
- Barbel
- Posts: 2927
- Joined: Wed Apr 02 2014 19:57
- Location: Saturn
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Big barbel? Check these f u c k e r s out ,
Gona need a bigger tin of spam !
Gona need a bigger tin of spam !
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Crack Hargreaves...........far out of town.
Mr godfrey I post mostly drivel
Mr godfrey I post mostly drivel
- pikerholic2
- Barbel
- Posts: 2927
- Joined: Wed Apr 02 2014 19:57
- Location: Saturn
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Only got to go to Iran , planning the trip now , they take lures and have been netted to 200 kgs
Now that would pull ones string ....any one speak Iranian ?
Now that would pull ones string ....any one speak Iranian ?
Crack Hargreaves...........far out of town.
Mr godfrey I post mostly drivel
Mr godfrey I post mostly drivel
- dannytaylor
- Barbel
- Posts: 4603
- Joined: Mon Aug 29 2011 05:00
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
That's proper that and what a mission going to Iran!!!!!
(Any pioneers?)
(Any pioneers?)
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
These guys are the ones to ask, especially if you want a prolonged stay.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Se ... lution.svg
Iranian Revolutionary Guards
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Se ... lution.svg
Iranian Revolutionary Guards
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
- davelumb
- Forum Sponsor
- Posts: 42543
- Joined: Sat Aug 27 2011 05:00
- Location: On some faraway beach
- Contact:
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Worth a Google. There's an English bloke who has been and done it.
-
- Zander
- Posts: 9999
- Joined: Tue Nov 06 2012 06:00
- Location: Cambs
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
Creek Chub wrote: ↑Tue Dec 12 2017 17:39 -Yeah your right I remember and it complete the tail!cookiesdaughtersdad wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23 2017 06:47 -The 16lb 1oz fish caught by Charles Cassey at Ibsley was, I'm pretty sure, foul hooked Alan, he was using a Devon minnow however.Fentiger01 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22 2017 21:18 -Dave, the record was I believe 14.6 until the early 90s, two fish shared this heady position, but years previously a fish was caught off Ibsley bridge by a salmon angler but was out of season, weighed 16.1 and yes I'm sure it was on a devon minnow.When I was a nipper (late 70's), if I remember correctly one of the biggest Barbel ever at the time (around 14lb 6oz) was caught by a Salmon angler on a devon minnow.
Another big up to Pete Felstead who was mentioned earlier, the bloke has taken lure fishing to an incredible level.
The ibsley fish is written into barbel folk law and I remember driving along in that part of the world and seeing a sign for Ibsley so I turned off and drove there, stood on the bridge and peered into those cool clear waters dreaming of whiskered leviathans......the prat I am
Cheers Alan
Cheers Alan
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" Seneca, some Roman chap.
-
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 12543
- Joined: Wed Feb 01 2012 06:00
- Location: gainsborough
- Contact:
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
14 06. And 12 08 from Trent on half lamp on two size 4 trebles during two sessions about 7 years ago
Happy to be alive!!!!
- dropped_run
- Perch
- Posts: 764
- Joined: Sun Aug 28 2011 05:00
Re: Big Barbel - The Predator?
dannytaylor wrote:ironpike wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29 2017 11:02 -I'd really like to have a go at the different barbel species in Spain, looks like cracking fishingI can share my experience with Spanish barbels .
I've fished 3 different species: Andalusian barbel (Luciobarbus sclateri), Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus comizo) and Luciobarbus bocagei
They are hard to fool, but they prey on bleaks quite often, got one with a Fiiish Black Minnow this summer, though it broke the line when I was about to land it. The fight was hard to forget, they are f**** torpedoes when hooked.
Also got many follows and failed attacks on crankbaits.
About other cyprinids, I've caught common carps and even huge bleaks while fishing catfish and perchs with spoons and soft plastics. When food dwindles any fish can become a fierce predator.
(You can keep them horrible slug fish )
I was fishing a massive flooded valley called Lake zahara about 15 years back, for anything that swims. Had some bass on lures and carp on meat/corn. Forgot to set the baitrunner on one of the rods and the next thing I knew was when the pod hit me in the side of the head as one took off.....was about 7lb but fought brilliantly for a stillwater barbel
davelumb wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13 2017 19:05 -there was a pnp/Lure angler magazine article about this a year or so ago i think, cant remember which but it looked absolutely awesome. He said Iran was absolutely nothing like its portrayed in the press, no great suprise there!Worth a Google. There's an English bloke who has been and done it.
James Dobie.