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The haul of big River Trent barbel came when Tony had a 60-hour session at Newark, Nottinghamshire.
Littleborough, Greater Manchester-based Tony told us all about how he and his pal approached the famous stocks of big River Trent barbel…
Tony said: “I drove the four hours to meet my friend Pete. We catch up a few times a year for a few days fishing as he lives in Kent.
“The river was up and quite fast but 5 oz leads were holding nicely.
“In the next six hours I banked six barbel, all coming on the same spot, with not even a twitch on the right-hand rod.
“Pete, 20 yards downstream, had not had a bite and was getting frustrated.
“We then blanked the first night and the whole of the next day and night.
“On the last day, I talked Pete into staying put but I promised we would make a move by 2 pm if nothing showed.
“It didn’t, so Pete decided to move and I still couldn’t bring myself to leave my swim as I had such a good first evening.”
Move sparks big River Trent barbel spell
Tony continued: “Within 20 minutes of Pete’s move he shouted he had a bite, and had a stunner at just over 12 lb.
“I walked back thinking: should I move?
“Just 15 minutes later his rod goes again and while he was playing it I decided to make the move at last. Pete then landed a new PB for both of us at 14 lb 7 oz.
“The next few hours were immense. I caught barbel of 12 lb 7 oz, 14 lb, 16 lb 7 oz and 12 lb and Pete added others of 10 lb 5 oz and 9 lb 8 oz.
“To beat my PB four times in one session with a 16 lb 7 oz fish included was just dream come true.
“I used 22 mm halibut pellet soaked in halibut oil on the hair and in my feeder I have a mix of white crumb, hemp, peanut butter, tinned tuna and micro pellets. I bind it all up with molasses,” concluded the 44-year-old engineer.
