Trent barbel rod advice

[Pikerd74]

I’m off to the river Trent near Newark in a couple of weeks for my first attempt at barbel. I will be using running leads or medium sized feeder.

Which rods should I take?

1. 2x Drennan super specialist 1.25tc (probably too light)
2. 2x Shimano nexave power barbel 1.75tc
3. 2x greys platinum prowla bait 2.25tc
4. 2x Dlst P2s 2.5tc
5. 2x Dlst P1s 2.75tc

Thanks in advance

[Steve D]

3,4 or 5 will be fine .

I use P1’s a fair bit especially in flood conditions.

It’s better to be over gunned than under.

Don’t ignore the margins

[davelumb]

3,4 or 5 will be fine .

I use P1’s a fair bit especially in flood conditions.

It’s better to be over gunned than under.

Don’t ignore the margins

What he said.

I'd use the P-1s face.

[cookiesdaughtersdad]

If you are not chucking to far or with to much weight, the 1.75s would be my go to or step up a tad to the 2.25s.

Cheers, Alan

[davelumb]

I wouldn't go below 2.25lb for barbel anywhere. No point landing them half dead.

[JoeNickel]

Wow - I'm amazed by this. I guess barbel are bigger these days - cos of more people fishing for them, and putting kilos of bait in? And I guess an 8lb barbel, in flow, would fight like a MUCH bigger pike.

When did people start increasing rod power - last 10-15 years?

[davelumb]

Wow - I'm amazed by this. I guess barbel are bigger these days - cos of more people fishing for them, and putting kilos of bait in? And I guess an 8lb barbel, in flow, would fight like a MUCH bigger pike.

When did people start increasing rod power - last 10-15 years?

20 years or more ago people saw sense. Or some did.

Nev said he wants to land pike not exercise them. The same with barbel as far as I'm concerned. The reason people have to rest barbel is they've either been underggunned or f****d about playing them for ages. The longer you play a barbel the more chance it has of snagging you or cutting you off. Use sensible gear not tench rods.

[Pikerd74]

That’s settled then gents I will take the P1s and the P2s for close in work if needed I’d better spool up the 6000ocs with some suitable line.
Thanks for the advice chaps….I will leave my only”barbel” rods at home and dust the pike rods off early!

[Pikerd74]

3,4 or 5 will be fine .

I use P1’s a fair bit especially in flood conditions.

It’s better to be over gunned than under.

Don’t ignore the margins

I never ignore the margins Steve, my PB pike, tench, carp and zander have came from within a rods length from the bank. I will have cheeky one in the edge for sure

[davelumb]

3,4 or 5 will be fine .

I use P1’s a fair bit especially in flood conditions.

It’s better to be over gunned than under.

Don’t ignore the margins

I never ignore the margins Steve, my PB pike, tench, carp and zander have came from within a rods length from the bank. I will have cheeky one in the edge for sure

If it's a stretch with rocks shoring up the bank keep the buggers out of them!

[Steve D]

3,4 or 5 will be fine .

I use P1’s a fair bit especially in flood conditions.

It’s better to be over gunned than under.

Don’t ignore the margins

I never ignore the margins Steve, my PB pike, tench, carp and zander have came from within a rods length from the bank. I will have cheeky one in the edge for sure

Good luck, it’s been fishing fairly well round there recently.

[Pikerd74]

I’ll keep an eye out for that Dave, I’ve seen some pics of the stretch and I don’t think that’s the case, but thanks for the heads up!
Out of interest which rods from your specialist range would be worthy of consideration if I was to get into the Trent barbel?

[Pikerd74]

3,4 or 5 will be fine .

I use P1’s a fair bit especially in flood conditions.

It’s better to be over gunned than under.

Don’t ignore the margins

I never ignore the margins Steve, my PB pike, tench, carp and zander have came from within a rods length from the bank. I will have cheeky one in the edge for sure

Good luck, it’s been fishing fairly well round there recently.

Looking forward to doing something different been going through the motions for too long and need a change! Hopefully I can find an area which is out the way and not too busy

[JoeNickel]

Wow - I'm amazed by this. I guess barbel are bigger these days - cos of more people fishing for them, and putting kilos of bait in? And I guess an 8lb barbel, in flow, would fight like a MUCH bigger pike.

When did people start increasing rod power - last 10-15 years?

20 years or more ago people saw sense. Or some did.

Nev said he wants to land pike not exercise them. The same with barbel as far as I'm concerned. The reason people have to rest barbel is they've either been underggunned or f****d about playing them for ages. The longer you play a barbel the more chance it has of snagging you or cutting you off. Use sensible gear not tench rods.

Thanks - that makes perfect sense.

[suffolk si]

Think I said in another post I use old Wilson 2lb test rods where I can but they are borderline undergunned tbh especially on the tidal , had lots of doubles to 14lb on them but they are definitely not the best tools for the job. If you are on the tidal I’d go with your third or fourth options

[Pikerd74]

Think I said in another post I use old Wilson 2lb test rods where I can but they are borderline undergunned tbh especially on the tidal , had lots of doubles to 14lb on them but they are definitely not the best tools for the job. If you are on the tidal I’d go with your third or fourth options

I certainly wouldn’t want to overplay any fish this time of year, with warmer water temps. Hopefully I have some luck and don’t end up with the bream which inhabit the Trent ( I don’t mind the odd chub though)

[cookiesdaughtersdad]

I wouldn't go below 2.25lb for barbel anywhere. No point landing them half dead.

Tighten your clutch, Dave!

Cheers, Alan

[davelumb]

I wouldn't go below 2.25lb for barbel anywhere. No point landing them half dead.

Tighten your clutch, Dave!

Cheers, Alan

I can't.


It's already locked tight!