Barbel fishing is known for its strength and fighting spirit, making it a favourite pastime for many anglers. Recognised by its streamlined body and distinctive bearded threads, the barbel is a fish that lives mainly in flowing waters such as rivers. These fish are excellent bottom feeders and feed on insect larvae, worms and small molluscs.
For catching barbel, you can use different techniques. Using a feeder rod with a feeder basket is popular, as it allows you to fish effectively on the bottom, where the barbel tend to be. Drift fishing with a float in slow-flowing streams is another exciting method, where precision and timing are crucial. Essential is the use of strong equipment that can handle the barbel's powerful runs, such as robust rods and reliable reels with good slip settings.
The versatility in the barbel's diet offers many options in terms of bait choice. Live baits such as maggots and worms are very effective, but specialised boilies and pellets designed for barbel fishing can also produce excellent results. Creating a feed trail using groundbait or regularly casting small amounts of bait can attract barbel to your site.
The best places to fish for barbel are the parts of rivers with a good current and rich bottom structure. The outer bends of the river, where the water flows deeper and faster, are often hotspots. Barbel are especially active during the warmer months, from late spring to autumn. During these periods, it is wise to keep an eye on the local water levels and weather conditions, as they have a great influence on barbel behaviour.
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