Stephen Crowhurst
Senior Member
Possibly because the barbel market segment is a bit nieche, whereas Carp makes a huge market share of angling.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Because, as you know Terry, it's not rocket science mate, although you could be forgiven for thinking it is. Location and feed are the key elements, after that if you have a decent bait on a decent rig, in the right place , it will catchGreat post Chris ... thanks. The only 'thing' (question) that I'd add (just in from the pub) is .... there are SO many great barbel anglers out there making so many 'catching' videos and pushing so many must-have products. There are guys catching so many doubles, consistently. But none of them is saying "This rig is best", "THIS is the dog's..." or "That rig is rubbish" or "use this gizmo and you'll catch more barbel". None, which I find weird. How come the likes of Korum etc aren't coming out with books, booklets, diagrams, of 'barbel rigs' in the same way as so many suppliers/anglers/'specialists' do re. carp? Why is it only us on BFW (apparently/mostly) that are doing all the "We're being done" navel gazing?
N.b.. I love playing with rigs but in all honesty I don't think it makes the slightest difference in 'hook-up rates'.
Thanks Terry - I also don't think rigs 'per se' make a huge difference either - especially with barbel that are arguably more ravenous feeders and easier to hook / connect to in general. Most of my barbel rig tinkering is for my own convenience / speed but was just wondering whether fish 'cuteness' (irrespecitve of species) is just fish that are feeding tentavively and mouthing / dropping baits more than usual - and on a longer hooklink in a moving river this could be more damning? . . .any rig will catch and this def applies to carp however a rig that 're sets' automatically is an edge IMO as it means it can effectively be left in place for longer and with confidence.Great post Chris ... thanks. The only 'thing' (question) that I'd add (just in from the pub) is .... there are SO many great barbel anglers out there making so many 'catching' videos and pushing so many must-have products. There are guys catching so many doubles, consistently. But none of them is saying "This rig is best", "THIS is the dog's..." or "That rig is rubbish" or "use this gizmo and you'll catch more barbel". None, which I find weird. How come the likes of Korum etc aren't coming out with books, booklets, diagrams, of 'barbel rigs' in the same way as so many suppliers/anglers/'specialists' do re. carp? Why is it only us on BFW (apparently/mostly) that are doing all the "We're being done" navel gazing?
N.b.. I love playing with rigs but in all honesty I don't think it makes the slightest difference in 'hook-up rates'.
Not where your concerned damian…Int that usual for you?!
A more rigid hooklength?
I’m using something similar and initial results are promising although I haven’t fished at all during The hot weather I’ll compare results at the end of the season…I’m not trying to get more bites rigs won’t give you that I’m trying to make sure they can’t eject my rigThanks Terry - I also don't think rigs 'per se' make a huge difference either - especially with barbel that are arguably more ravenous feeders and easier to hook / connect to in general. Most of my barbel rig tinkering is for my own convenience / speed but was just wondering whether fish 'cuteness' (irrespecitve of species) is just fish that are feeding tentavively and mouthing / dropping baits more than usual - and on a longer hooklink in a moving river this could be more damning? . . .any rig will catch and this def applies to carp however a rig that 're sets' automatically is an edge IMO as it means it can effectively be left in place for longer and with confidence.
I have recently started to use D rig kickers on my barbel rigs / hooks - the fluro whipped D is a very simple and effective carp rig thats caught me a lot of carp (I rarely use anything else as this also 're sets'), the idea being a bait that still has movement but one that doesn't have the limitations / tangles of a long braided hair on missed takes / occurences etc - too soon to know whether it actually catches any more barbel however!
Confidence is great - but how do you generate it IF you are on a sparsely stocked (or even empty) bit of river?I'm enjoying this post about how we can discuss different rigs and their application and would like to add my sixpeneth.
I used to do a lot of fly fishing years ago and you wouldn't believe the number of flies I have tied/bought to try and fool trout. I have boxes and boxes of the things. I have a whole box of just black flies, large ones, small ones, large hackle, no hackle... all for one aim...to fool the fish!
In retrospect I think I was the one fooled, as the money I have spent over the years on flies and fly tying gear is considerable!
Personally, I believe it comes down to confidence, confidence in the rig you're using and confidence in its presentation.
That confidence is normally brought about by success. Once you've had a few successful sessions using a particular rig, apart from dramatic changes in river conditions, why change?
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I feel your pain!!!Confidence is great - but how do you generate it IF you are on a sparsely stocked (or even empty) bit of river?
Last winter I got 0 (zero) barbel takes (that I’m aware of !). The year before I got 2. Just for reference my fishing mate did catch 3 or 4 last year on a different stretch - so our method does work. We just need to find some fish !
I could I suppose go and fish an easier river - but to my mind it wont be the same. Competitive feeding, different flow conditions, more angling pressure etc etc, so what would I learn ?
I like experimenting, but it’s very difficult when you have so little data…..
So I’m working on the basis that I use the best rig I can (taking inspiration from carp and other species fishing) and hope for the best….
Is that confidence ?
Thames Tim?Confidence is great - but how do you generate it IF you are on a sparsely stocked (or even empty) bit of river?
Last winter I got 0 (zero) barbel takes (that I’m aware of !). The year before I got 2. Just for reference my fishing mate did catch 3 or 4 last year on a different stretch - so our method does work. We just need to find some fish !
I could I suppose go and fish an easier river - but to my mind it wont be the same. Competitive feeding, different flow conditions, more angling pressure etc etc, so what would I learn ?
I like experimenting, but it’s very difficult when you have so little data…..
So I’m working on the basis that I use the best rig I can (taking inspiration from carp and other species fishing) and hope for the best….
Is that confidence ?
I reckon misplaced confidence is much worse than no confidence at all... and controlled impatience is much better than patience. PS... I'm desperately trying to control my impatience at the mo...leaves, canoeists, and a possible blank in the making.Confidence is great - but how do you generate it IF you are on a sparsely stocked (or even empty) bit of river?
Last winter I got 0 (zero) barbel takes (that I’m aware of !). The year before I got 2. Just for reference my fishing mate did catch 3 or 4 last year on a different stretch - so our method does work. We just need to find some fish !
I could I suppose go and fish an easier river - but to my mind it wont be the same. Competitive feeding, different flow conditions, more angling pressure etc etc, so what would I learn ?
I like experimenting, but it’s very difficult when you have so little data…..
So I’m working on the basis that I use the best rig I can (taking inspiration from carp and other species fishing) and hope for the best….
Is that confidence ?
Controlled impatience is exactly how I fish.I reckon misplaced confidence is much worse than no confidence at all... and controlled impatience is much better than patience. PS... I'm desperately trying to control my impatience at the mo...leaves, canoeists, and a possible blank in the making.
You also want to believe that if a pick up does come your as likely as possible to connect to that fish. If I think I can get an extra 20% I’m going to take it.Confidence is great - but how do you generate it IF you are on a sparsely stocked (or even empty) bit of river?
Last winter I got 0 (zero) barbel takes (that I’m aware of !). The year before I got 2. Just for reference my fishing mate did catch 3 or 4 last year on a different stretch - so our method does work. We just need to find some fish !
I could I suppose go and fish an easier river - but to my mind it wont be the same. Competitive feeding, different flow conditions, more angling pressure etc etc, so what would I learn ?
I like experimenting, but it’s very difficult when you have so little data…..
So I’m working on the basis that I use the best rig I can (taking inspiration from carp and other species fishing) and hope for the best….
Is that confidence ?
Ironically you may learn more from going and fishing the 'easier' river.Confidence is great - but how do you generate it IF you are on a sparsely stocked (or even empty) bit of river?
Last winter I got 0 (zero) barbel takes (that I’m aware of !). The year before I got 2. Just for reference my fishing mate did catch 3 or 4 last year on a different stretch - so our method does work. We just need to find some fish !
I could I suppose go and fish an easier river - but to my mind it wont be the same. Competitive feeding, different flow conditions, more angling pressure etc etc, so what would I learn ?
I like experimenting, but it’s very difficult when you have so little data…..
So I’m working on the basis that I use the best rig I can (taking inspiration from carp and other species fishing) and hope for the best….
Is that confidence ?
There is another element to that if you don't mind me saying, and that is the fish's propensity to feed - in my mind this is the variable that can leave open to interpretation the value of looking at rigs or not.Because, as you know Terry, it's not rocket science mate, although you could be forgiven for thinking it is. Location and feed are the key elements, after that if you have a decent bait on a decent rig, in the right place , it will catch