Warwickshire Avon – Poka-Yoke and the Pestiferous Chub – Pt. 2

The Chub avoider rig worked well last week, in fact far better than expected as some of the bites were outrageous and I was convinced one would eventually hook itself or nick the bait from the hair. That never happened though on either of the rods despite being in the water for a considerable about of time, eventually a Barbel found the bait and an 10lb 12oz lump was banked. There are bigger fish here though so for this session I moved downstream to another swim full of feature and where the same tactics would be employed.

So after a couple of bait droppers of hemp and small pellets were deposited on the bed and left to rest, half an hour before dusk a big catfish pellet on a long hair would be positioned on top of the particles. Hands under ones backside and just sit it out watching the tip dance whilst a Chub is trying to work out how he can get a gob-full. Two rods were more of a hindrance than a help during the last session so a solitary isotope would be glowing in the dark Warwickshire backdrop. I had some Lone Angler sausage sizzle glugged squabs in the bag so I dipped the end of the pellet in for a few minutes for extra attraction and then also took the corners off to help keep the bait static on the bed.

The centrepins ratchet effectively acts as a bait runner and an audible bite alarm but having nearly having the rod pulled in on a couple of occasions such is the savagery of a Barbel bite I use a Gardner G-Force snag rest. It’s meant for fishing next to snags and ‘locked’ up when after a mud sifter but its ideal for Barbel fishing as before the lackadaisical ratchet decides to activate, it prevents the rod butt from lifting up and heading riverward during such fast takes. I wonder how many rods have been lost and fish tethered lots I bet… 

After the recent rain the river was up a good couple of feet if not more so I knew leaving a bait for a couple or three hours might be problematic with all the debris flowing downstream. In these situations I pinch a large shot on the line a meter or so before the lead and that seems to help with keeping the hookbait clear of the rubbish. I had a self imposed finish time for this session and with 5 mins to go and having to recast the bait a couple of time I only a handful of chub taps and pulls I started to pack up. Unhooking mat rolled away, scales and weigh sling repacked and just as I was removing the net from the landing net handle the ratchet began to sound and the rod was bent double, fantastic Barbel.

I swopped to a 2.25lb Fox Rod for this session as I knew the extra flow would give a stronger fight if I hooked a fish and I glad I did it powered off downstream so I gave as much jip as possible whilst using my thumb on the pin as the infinitely adjustable drag. I managed to turn it and weirdly it started to swim upstream until it realised it was still hooked, again another lunge to the depths as it made another run for it. The rod was bent double again and after a fantastic arm aching fight I had it under control and eventually netted it. I rested it in the net for a while and it looked half decent maybe even a double. Certainly not as big and long as the fish last week which I’m sure when it’s had it head down feeding would easily beat my PB. Sure enough on the scales it went 9lb 14oz, a quick photo in the weigh sling and as it gave a powerful fight I wanted to get it back in the net and rested as quickly as possible. 

insert pic 

Again the rig worked well but if I’m honest I prefer sight fishing in the day with a moving bait. However there is a far bigger fish(s) here and this method does seem to single out the better fish so I’ll be back for another couple of sessions. With this extra water the Warwickshire Stour will be nice and topped up so I’m planning a Rudd reccy and hopefully catch a few Roach, not sure when I’m going to manage that session though as work and family trip to legoland this weekend is getting in the way and I also want to try again for a Tench.