Barbel fishing - The Kennet (Video 127)

Barbel fishing - The River Kennet (Video 127)
You join me for another evenings barbel fishing on the River Kennet where I am hopeful of perhaps catching another Kennet barbel. I also hope that you chaps are not finding the Barbel videos too boring being that I am mainly uploading a few devoted to this species and I apologise in advance if you might be.
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/ fishing_for_memories

[@georgetaylor5433]

Hi Mark, a pure gold brick, beautiful ! Congrats !

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers George, it was in rather wonderful condition.

[@ianberry1713]

Stunning looking fish Mark, well done.

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Ian :)

[@chrislowe4379]

Another magnificent session Mark. I fell in love with that enchanting little river when I explored it for perch around reading a few years back.

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Chris glad you enjoyed the video, still some good fish knocking about and some good perch about too, may have to look at changing species for a bit in the future as would not mind some perch and chub trips.

[@stevehodges4092]

Great fish & great video Mark, well done

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Steve.

[@Rob-zq8sy]

Amazing clean fish Mark well done. Quality vid as usual.

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Rob I think this was one of my nicest looking barbel, it was in mint condition.

[@tamaskoleszar998]

Great video again Mark. Thanks. This barbel is a stunner ❤️🎣🎣

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Tamas, how did you get on when you went fishing on Saturday?

[@tamaskoleszar998]

Hi Mark I’m blanked unfortunately. The really strange is I haven’t seen any jumping or splashing fish at all on the whole stretch. I’m rotating between swimms but not a sniff. Anyway mayo will give it ago next month but definitely I’m be back on summer time. Tight lines and maybe see you on the bank 🎣🎣🎣

[@francolinobasco]

That is unlucky, but Stick at it Tamas, they don't splash or give themselves away as much and sometimes if the stretches of river are in a bad mood you don't even see any chub splashing in the evenings, it can be just be like that at times my friend.

[@tamaskoleszar998]

Definitely I will be back because one swimm was really promising. I’m not sure about how the perch fishing is going but I saw a huge perch swimming below my feet so maybe i try to fish for them next month.

[@kevinfarrell5778]

Stunning barbel mark ....well done..

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Kevin, it was nice to get another bend in the rod.

[@Ajholes]

Phil Mitchell goes fishing! Great fish and great trim 👍🏻

[@francolinobasco]

LOL never a truer word said, love it haha. Cheers man glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kevinfarrell5778]

Hahaha...

[@rossgaylard5509]

Ross Gaylard What an amazing fish , Mark you certainly do yourself proud and your videos are so informative for someone like me who is not in your neck of the woods and i must say congratulations on getting over 6k on your subscriber list

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Ross, how are you, I trust all is well? Thank you so much, it is a bit of a balancing act as some viewers don't always enjoy someone talking so much and others prefer it. I never thought that I would ever reach over 6k subscribers. I do actually have something planned for my next milestone (10k) as a thank you to everyone.

[@mrg9291]

Well bowled Mark! What a fantastic looking fish... so pleased for you! :-) Thank you for sharing. G

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there mate thank you and she was quite the knock out for looks, I did consider asking if she would marry me, but don't think this barbus fancied tubby quite that much lol.

[@olorin1.414]

Great video as always. What a beautiful barbel, I am so envious. Always look forward to your vids, great inspiration to get out there and put the effort in to fish to best of my ability. 👍

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you so much Orolin, it is nice to be able to share these moments across youtube and much like yourself I too watch other videos which make me fired up and want to get out fishing.

[@grahamwalker139]

Another great video Mark. Just shows everyone that the Kennet is not devoid of fish as some folk say you just need to go out there and work for them and you certainly do that. Never tried any of the Decathlon groundbaits will have to go and have a look for myself. Tight Lines.

[@francolinobasco]

Good evening Graham and thank you so much. I think you have hit the nail on the head in many ways there, yes of course all our waterways have changed and many (if not most) not for the better, however there are fish still to be caught, just a case of locating them, but being willing first and foremost.

[@thinkFishcatchFish]

Another cracking fish that Mark. Superb 👌

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks pbl, it is always nice to get amongst the odd barbus, better still when in this kind of condition too.

[@Mrschultz923]

Another splendid movie Mark 😊 simply love each and one if them 💪👌😁

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you so much Morten, it is always good to hear from you too.

[@peterthomas9632]

Absolute stunning fish Mark. Looked clean as a whistle 👍

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Peter, you're right she was a real gem.

[@harryturner3063]

Another most enjoyable video Mark and what a stunning barbel! You have had a great run of beautiful looking barbel from the Kennet of late, very well done. Testament to your knowledge of watercraft and skill as a big fish angler. Thanks for sharing.

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Harry, I trust all is well and that you had a good trip on the Wye and also on Highley too? Cheers I had a very fortunate run of trips and recently a few blanks which culminated in a new kennet pb, which will be featured including blanks in a future video too. Thank you for your kind words, they are much appreciated.

[@harryturner3063]

Mark. The second half of my trip to the Wye unfortunately coincided with a huge storm with torrential rain and very strong winds. The river came up 8 feet overnight and the last two days I was washed off. Caught a few nice barbel in the two days before the storm though. The trip to the Severn at Highley was a little disappointing with low water levels following a flood the week before. My mate had 12 barbel and I had only 8 in six days fishing. Having spoken with quite a few anglers while we were there, it seems we did as well as most and considerably better than some others. I look forward to your next Kennet video!

[@jamesbutler-white2015]

Great video mark as always. Cracking barbus always special when you catch it on the pin. Keep up the great work

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there James and thank you. I must say the rivers locally have received a rather welcome deluge of rainfall yesterday and about time too. It was brilliant to have captured her and as you say always enjoyable and rather special on the pin.

[@tinker5349]

Hi nice video Mark, lovely fish!

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Tinker! Thank you too!

[@Melissaaa456]

what a lovely looking fish eh mark well done mate

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you it was absolutely spotless and a right fighter too.

[@Arfabiscuit]

Hi Mark used to fish the Kennet 30 years ago lovely river by the old mill great video . And I am off to Decathlon .

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Arfa (sorry don't know your actual name) I know the old mill at Aldermaston, still a few barbel knocking about around there, although it has changed a lot compared to its better days as such.

[@gavt3082]

What a perfect condition fish Mark. Huge well done😀

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Gavin she was fresh from the barbus factory such was her condition, very glad I was able to film it for you chaps too.

[@yorkshireriverrover7199]

Another Beautiful thick-set Barbel that mate, Good angling. That groundbait looks the bee's knees. All the best out there Mark ;)

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers mate, it was in perfect condition, the groundbait mixture is a very good component. I hope all is well with yourself and your own angling too.

[@gavinmoretti3076]

Well done Mark lovely fish and another great vid. Big thumbs up for not killing anymore tackle this time!!! Bought myself a centrepin as it looks pretty epic playing a barbus on if a little heart stopping at times. Tight lines buddy

[@francolinobasco]

Haha Gavin cheers mate, I was elated not to have any more tackle failures, as anyone would think I had broken a mirror and seen a black cat for the run of inferior tackle I have had of late! You will love the centrepin and it will give you plenty of control over the barbel trust me.

[@delevo51]

Well done mark great barbel and a bloody good video mate

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Del, glad you enjoyed it my friend.

[@anthonyperry1322]

Cracking video again mark beautiful looking barbel as well you can't beat the river kennet 🎣☺

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Anthony and you're not wrong I am enjoying the waterway.

[@rosstaylor3741]

What another corker well done old chap. I so need to get out on the bank just to much work. Jealous so jealous . Well done mate top stuff.

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Ross, juggling things about is not easy at all, harder when you have a family too I would suspect, I have not been able to get bankside myself this week.

[@philmapp2079]

Been waiting for this Mark... and what a session... I love going light as it lets me rove a lot more swims & normally can bring more bites after a swim has gone quiet or sometimes after landing a good fish the rest are spooked, not all the time but a lot of the time especially on smaller rivers, so I’ve found that being as light as you can be will create a certain edge on finding the fish and basically learning more about that particular stretch of river too, seeing different things happening in different swims can add another piece to the puzzle... eg seeing the fry skip in a slacker more reedy area would give away the presence of perch & pike, Water Craft is paramount when tackling any river and this can only be required through experience, repetition, repetition & repetition, Another Great video mark, I can’t wait for the Autumn and winter movies... Oh and ya Lionel Blair suits ya buddy, I have to shave mine weekly, When it’s starts to grow I have receding and it looks like a Mac Donald’s sign on my forehead according to my little boy lol, well you take it easy buddy and keep on recording... keep us posted mark, 👍🏼

[@francolinobasco]

Hey there Phil! Thanks it was a brilliant trip to be able to share via video and nice to have such a wonderful looking fish. You have also summed up my exact thoughts with why we travel light, you get to see more swims and can switch and change swims very quickly as you say and I think on todays rivers that is an even bigger advantage at times. Thanks regarding my hair cut, oh you have someone say things about your hair? That makes two of us then, as my father calls me "Hannibal" "silence of the lambs" when I shave mine haha.

[@philmapp2079]

Hannibal.... lol I nearly spat my coffee down me when I read that.... it’s ok buddy because what we loose on top we make up for in other ways 👍🏼 I’m kind of hoping that because we’ve had a warm summer this year that we will feel the winter more rather than the usual wet miserable winters we’re used to... I do love a good frost when looking for the chub, anyway mark I’m up early trying to sort today’s session out before the wife wakes up, she’s my lift as I don’t drive, She’s as good as gold really... don’t get me wrong “fishing” has caused some right arguments and upsets at home, so it’s not always roses when it comes to balancing home life and fishing and other commitments too, but we go through it all just because of our sheer passion for the sport.... like I said I’ve gotta make a move now and I hope to see the next movie soon , I fact I can’t bloody wait ha ha , so until next time take care and tight lines MR Lecter... 👍🏼

[@larryroberts1844]

Cracking fish there Mark top angling, well done.

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Larry.

[@steveames8286]

Top stuff mark , always enjoy your vids, keep em coming.

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you so much Steve, especially for your support of the channel.

[@johncollyer4176]

Another great video mark ... strangely enough despite living within half hour of kennet I have never seen it . To many rivers not enough time 🙄 ... still after that double from my stretch. Getting small ones but can’t find the big girls .. living it all . Take care mark 👍

[@francolinobasco]

Hey there John, hope you're keeping well? Cheers for watching the video and glad to know you enjoyed it. Yes it is funny isn't it I am far from a kennet regular,usually my bread and butter is the Loddon and Blackwater as well as a few other wonderful cappiliaries. But I fancied getting my teeth sunk into the waterway this season and have been enjoying it thus far, although as you say too many rivers not enough time, but at the same time a change is as good as a rest as they say. You will get amongst the bigger barbel I am sure, as I have had doubles from where you are fishing and I live very close to that section of river too, perhaps no more than a 10 minute drive if even that.

[@sme70]

Great vid and a lovely fish .👍

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you, I hope you chaps aren't getting tired of these barbel fishing videos as I have a few more I will be uploading, but you know how it is when you have your mind set on a species to angle for.

[@paulmilsom2979]

What a fish fab video keep up the good work

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Paul, it is always very humbling to know that the videos are enjoyed.

[@paulmilsom2979]

I have had a few smaller barbel on the thames at Hampton Court to 6lb going to try the black snail to get a bigger one

[@robhill2702]

Another great video and what a gorgeous fish! It did look a great scrap too👍🏻 quality still good on the smaller camera by the way. You do yourself a disservice mentioning waffling/rambling - great to listen to you Mark.

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Rob and thank you so much, it was a glorious scrap that particular swim is around 6 feet deep close in and with a fairly steady pace so the fish put that to good use. It is great to hear you are finding the footage still good on the smaller camera too as that is very positive. Cheers regarding my rambling Rob, it is just sometimes I get a few comments which I do generally delete where people say "you talk to long why don't you shut the something something up" and I then worry I might be boring people.

[@boldersa]

Very enjoyable Mark

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Andrew, no fishing for me this weekend but I did need to dedicate some time to editing. I hope you have had an enjoyable trip if you have been out.

[@barrycooper8640]

+Mark Erdwin I've not caught a barbel in ages. I moved to Northern Ireland which has none at all. The Pike and Tench fill the void but I sure miss barbel.

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Barry, sorry to hear that, but as you say Northern Ireland for Pike and Tench must be pretty brilliant. How do you find it for poaching out there and fish being netted, is it still bad?

[@barrycooper8640]

In my local river the pike fishing is almost decimated in some areas. I have to travel quite far to have a decent days pike fishing. The trout are in high numbers though and its great fun to catch them on lures. My PB Brownie is 7lb 2. Imho, the fishing laws and rules need changing. Nobody should be allowed to take fish home unless its a 'put an take' fishery like a trout lake. Have a lovely day Mark. Hope the weather is better over where you are than it is here.

[@1000000trs]

Great Barbel. Like the Buddhist look too Master Erdwin ;-)

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Tim, buddhist look haha, it is also a feast for biting insects "which part of this egg head shall we bite next" lol.

[@davidhaddon2854]

Another fine vid Mark. Its Feb 24th 2020 as i write this . The Trent ,Soar ,Derwent and other rivers up at my mums are way over their banks , the worst its ever been . I bet we will loose some fish in the fields as they go down . I take it you will not have been able to fish too due to these conditions , as you have mentioned before our climate is changing . Anyway look forward to your next vid ,hope you are well, all the best . Dave .

[@francolinobasco]

Hey there David, don't go there my friend, this rainfall has been barbaric, we will lose some fish for sure and need to keep an eye out in any ditches for fish trapped. No sadly I have not been out due to same reasons, but looking better down south now a little. This has given me a chance to edit some more videos though.

[@alanrichardson7790]

thanks mark hope your dad is ok now

[@francolinobasco]

He's not too bad Alan given his illness, I'll let him know that you have asked after him.

[@janjr7357]

Hi Mark again a nice upload. I do not know how the weather is with you now. But we in the Netherlands are still being treated at 26 degrees. What a new record is. In 1974 we had snow for this time. So we can fish for a longer time this year. You are also very successful this season. And look forward to your next upload. Greetings to your family. By the way, you start to look more and more like me, with your new hairline 😂😂😂

[@francolinobasco]

Hey Jan! Thanks for watching, the weather here has been a bit windy but very very mild. I am enjoying my seasons fishing so far and also sharing as many of my trips with you guys over youtube as possible. Haha yes I really cut my hair quite short!

[@michaelboyle9889]

Another great video cheers mark

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Michael and thank you for viewing.

[@clivelogsdon1492]

Another good vid mark, lovely river the Kennett. Not so sure about the barnet

[@francolinobasco]

haha thanks Clive, yes said hair cut is not to everyone's taste admittedly.

[@SurreyCarpTV]

Great video like it! Nice barbel too

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Aaron, hope you are keeping well mate.

[@pettor38]

nice mark !! well done mate !!!

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Patrick

[@ShedeHunter]

Hello Mark. As always great, great video and even better barbel :) I cant wait till Your next video. I hope that You will do some Pike fishing in a future, it's been a while since Your last pike session :P Anyways, thank You very much for what You are doing... You make my office work less boring :)

[@francolinobasco]

Thankes Shede! Who knows maybe I will target them this winter, but Autumn is such an enjoyable time for barbel too, although I must say I would like to get out and film some perch fishing. Thank you for your kind words, I never really thought people would enjoy the videos as much as they do and I greatly appreciate the time you guys take to watch my videos.

[@tadhghayden8440]

from one ninja fisher to another..good on ya..

[@francolinobasco]

You know what that made me smile, because I know in a way where you are coming from, so thank you.

[@captainfrank01]

Another cracking fish Mark, you really are having a stellar run atm! Beautiful fish but afraid I can't say the same for your scone mate - still, saves on shampoo ....

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Frank. Haha my "scone" I like the way you said that, it does look rather like a scone (or egg like) to be fair. That is ok no offence taken as it was (hair has grown some what now) a harsh hair cut to say the very least.

[@the-unhooking-matt6959]

Loving the videos mate 👍👍

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you so much Matthew.

[@alexiasimmons1]

Bravo!!!

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Liam, been watching your Jenny posting on instagram, see you guys have been having a bit of a tough few trips, it will come right again I am sure.

[@rayhensford8157]

thanks for sharing another great video mark always a pleasure to watch

[@francolinobasco]

You are very welcome Ray, thank you for watching too.

[@stephenisom6089]

mark what a perfect looking barbel a butter gold river lunatic ..fight like blazes .//and beautiful looking ..you have your fare share of big fish mark..you plan well and keep things simple ..i do simple,,did you know ivan marks only used the granny knot for all his fishing,.lol if its good enough for ivan then its good enough for me./yes some anglers say here/s a simple rig and then you need half a dozen bits and bobs fingers like twiggy //a mind like stephen hawkins,..and a ,ph,g in heath robinson ..keep things simple for sure ,,well done mark great video as always ,.//hay mark one thing have you had nits.//lol don/t throw the hair dryer out just yet,...any way well done and looking forward to your next adventure tight lines ,../

[@francolinobasco]

Hey there Stephen! Hope you are keeping well my friend? It did scrap some in that flow and tried making for the weed beds at one point. You are right about keeping it simple, something I adhere too a lot these days, spend more time on locating fish and then fishing with a simple set up that works well without numerous components us anglers simply don't require. Have I had nits hahaha now that has made laugh, the wet razor had a soild work out, quite pleased I didn't manage to cut my noggin too lol.

[@peteb954]

Hi Mark. Great looking fish, looked bigger than 10lb. I haven't fished the Kennet for 7 or 8 years, mostly on the upper and lower Benyons. Had a walk around there recently and didn't see many anglers about. Do you know if it's still fishing well for Barbel? Any advice much appreciated, cheers Pete.

[@tadhghayden8440]

one of the finest barbel I have ever plonked eyes on there

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks mate, it was probably one of the most perfectly formed barbel I have seen and spotless too.

[@alanrichardson7790]

hi mark you done a vid on cheese paste how about the bird seed prep i had a go and ended up with the stickiest mush woudnt even leave my hand that sticky

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Alan, I can certainly make one although I did wonder how useful people would find such a video. In the meantime can I suggest the following link, if I have not given you it before regarding the preparation of bird seed. www.haiths.com/haiths-baits/red-band-pigeon-conditioner-/

[@easyfishing1936]

Hi Mark it doesn’t matter what camera you are using. The content is what matters and that was a lovely fish in great condition, must be all the crayfish its scoffing. Do barbel eat crayfish? I know lots of fish do but not sure if that applies to barbel tho’ they have been taken on minnows early in the season. Just keep them coming as I’m still not well enough to fish so have watched thousands of KZbin video’s most of which are boring. You know look at my expensive pole with 8 topkits etc catching small F1’s. Regards Bill

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks so much Bill, I do worry about the quality of the filming at times, but perhaps it is me over worrying about the situation. Cheers she was in immaculate condition and a wonderfully proportioned fish. Barbel certainly do take crayfish, I remember a good few years ago catching one which proceeded to poo out bird seed and other contents which included small bits of crayfish shell it was passing through. I am glad you mentioned them taking minnows early season, as believe it or not I have witnessed barbel on a thames weir pool in the early part of the season hammering minnow shoals and that was quite a sight, I think people forget just how predatory they can be in their own right. Cheers again, it is really good to know that you enjoy the videos.

[@easyfishing1936]

Mark Erdwin Hi Mark, like you I worried about the quality of my video’s until I had an online chat with Ian Chapman who films the Cadence video’s. He basically said it didn’t matter a ....... what camera you used as long as you had a good story to tell! Since then l have ceased worrying about the camera! I’m more worried that because of my health I have been unable to get out since the end of July and haven’t even wetted a line!! Onto the barbel, many years ago Peter Stone caught barbel from the Thames on dead minnows in the early part of the season but it’s something I have never got round to trying as my barbel opportunities are very limited. I have caught carp and big chub on deadbait as well as two bream so I think all fish can be more predatory than we realise. Bob Nudd said in his book that he caught a huge roach whilst piking and has never beaten it since. Just goes to show how little we know and that’s the fascinating thing about fishing!regards Bill ps I hope your health is improving.

[@francolinobasco]

I could not agree more Bill, I have said similar to a few chaps who have wished to start their own channels, engage the audience and the camera and be yourself. I am also very sorry to hear about your health and do hope you can get bank side again at some point as not being able to is quite disheartening. My own health still isn't great (my own fault for being fat) I went to the doctors last week and passed out whilst having a fasting blood test, which will test for diabetes, cholestrol (guarantee that won't be good) and I have had my Perindopril tablets increased for my blood pressure, I am trying to lose weight but it is so slow and I have set backs.You are right regarding species being predatory, talking of that regarding fish based baits, if you go back twenty years ago when my rivers weren't so infested with crayfish I used to use tinned sardines in tomatos sauce as my winter bait for chub and barbel and it worked brilliantly, just whipping the bait on to the hook like you would do with bait elastic.

[@Kevin-rh5li]

Top notch blog mark. A question where did you get your centrepin reel pouch I need one I've looked on eBay but can only find pouch's from China which look Ok but I'm not sure of the quality.

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Kevin, I must be honest the centrepin reel pouch came with the Marco Cortesi reel and both items are from China so perhaps those reel puches you've seen might also be ok?

[@Severn3310]

Hi Mark, where can I get black snail boilies from pal?

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Jason and yes of course, here is a link to the Essentail baits website. www.essentialbaits.co.uk/

[@ibcatchin1]

When I seen the barbel...great big WOW came from my mouth...never disappointed to date...Great cut mate... my white twin...grow your beard back than we will really look a like 😎

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Rafa,you cannot beat a good shaven head in my opinion although it does get some funny looks from people. My hairs grown back a bit at the moment too. I saw your post about your park lake fish and lack of oxygen, very sad news, I hope they will do something before it is too late :(.

[@stevekirk8686]

Cracking vid. Cheers Mark. How's the writing coming on? Oh, and that was a dream fish.

[@stevekirk8686]

LOL at nits...… Stuff u pick up whilst out fishing lol. All the best m8.

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Steve, it was perfectly built too (somewhat unlike its captor lol). The book writing is going well thank you, my first chapter has now been published by the little egret press, in the book titled "Willow Pitch - In Search Of The Sergeant" . I have placed a link here > littleegretpress.com/index.php?action=viewbook&id=245 that details the book and contributor list. My main book project is going along nicely, albeit very very slowly and I suspect will not be anywhere near completion for a few years yet, as it is quite an undertaking and I require around 100k to 120k in words, at the same time I am mulling over an idea for perhaps taking said book in a different direction, as such not something I wish to rush and I am currently only around 7000 words in.

[@francolinobasco]

Haha his comment did make me chuckle, nits as if! Although I remember getting them at school around 1987 (I was 8) and my mum was not too amused lol.

[@stevekirk8686]

lol, I grew up in a mining village and nits were a constant problem, and at school back in the 70;s. Btw, first fish I caught was from a stream in that village, I tickled a brown trout into my hand and landed it. Wot memory... Will deffo have to give your stuff a read, the best writers have a sense of humour and are of spirit. Take care pal.

[@stevekirk8686]

And to tickle a trout means placing your hand in the water and welltickling the water and the trout swims into your palm. Don't know if this was a just a local thing. This was a small stream in gin clear water, but it worked. Now that's me waffling lol Cya.

[@SUNXV1]

Nice video Mark, watch nearly all you have made. I watched the one where you broke your PB and you mentioned a Shimano Purist feeder rod of just over eight foot long can you point me in the right direction to get one of these rods please.

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks so much Ray, it is brilliant to have such a following of positive chaps too, especially when it comes to mulling things over and having a good chat via the comments box. Regarding the rods that you mentioned, I have a Shimano purist river feeder rod which is 12 feet in length, these are discontinued nowadays but can be picked up on ebay fromt ime to time, lovely rods with a superb action, the other rod is the Drennan mini feeder rod which is the length that you mention and I generally use for swims that might be tighter when chub or perch fishing. Hope that is of some help.

[@SUNXV1]

Thanks for the reply Mark much appreciated, is the Drennan mini feeder suitable for light barbel work in your opinion. I fish on my own and travel so shorter rods are what I am looking for that can go in the boot out of sight. I also want that sort of rod for tight swims where longer rods are a hinderance. Regards Ray

[@francolinobasco]

I would say whilst you could get away with a rogue barbel on it I would not use it for out and out barbel fishing, as the mini feeder rod is more suited to chub, perch as such. I might suggest perhaps some of the lighter test curver nash scope rods for light barbel work in tight swims, that might suit you perfectly, they also pack down small.

[@SUNXV1]

I will take a look at the Nash rods then thanks for the advice.

[@shippo1159]

Fantastic again Mark love watching you videos. Do you have a exact name for the groundbait?

[@tadhghayden8440]

it's maybe called the intuitive mix..

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you and Certainly Clive here you go. www.decathlon.co.uk/grilled-hemp-groundbait-5-kg-id_8306260.html

[@francolinobasco]

haha well that helps too :D

[@neilpotts2368]

Another cracking video Mark and superb barbel. Keep them coming. Do you steep the bird seed before adding it to the ground bait mix?

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Neil. Yes I will once simmered cover with more water and seal in an air tight bucket and allow it to steep in its own juices.

[@neilpotts2368]

Thanks for that Mark. Will give it a whirl. Tight lines.

[@alanrichardson7790]

mark what is the name of that decathlon ground bait can't seem to land on the right one love your vids

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Alan, here is a link to the groundbait, hope it helps. www.decathlon.co.uk/grilled-hemp-groundbait-5-kg-id_8306260.html

[@alanrichardson7790]

thanks mark just a remark about your vid fishing with my father i know where you are comming from i too had my dad as a fishing buddy sadly no longer with me you don't realise what you have till its gone keep the vids comming and take care

[@nathansfishing2620]

are these club stretches of the kennet as i recently joined the rdaa to fish the kennet

[@francolinobasco]

Yes they are club stretches.

[@paulhowarth7718]

damn fine angler

[@BlackCountryPiker]

Do you ever catch small barbel mark 🤣🤣🤣 Another fantastic show piece there mate. Do you find the bigger barbel are more active at night? I seem to see the regular posts of bigger barbel are later in the day

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Steve. Yes sometimes but the thing is it is a double edged sword as we need juvenile stocks to be coming through too without them what will replace these older fish. As for the bigger barbel at night interesting question yes in some ways as I feel they adapt to moving about more at night and feeding cautiously, but then we as anglers can cause that to become the status quo.Let me give you an example, a few years ago I fished the loddon more daytime afternoons into evening, I caught in daytime and evenings fairly well, yes I generally prefer fishing evening onward, but here is the thing if every angler feels a river fishes better evening onwards then everyone fishes evening/night, people catch at night and then create that circle of events whereby anglers see more are coming out in the night time as such, however regarding night and bigger fish I would agree that a lot of my biggest barbel have been at night, although that said I have had fish over 14lb in bright daylight too.

[@BlackCountryPiker]

Mark Erdwin I suppose it’s obvious that fish will react to overfishing and darkness gives them a sense of safety. It’s bit like with pike. Some times it’s always better at first light and the twitching hour. But then there are days like you I’ve had some big girls in the middle of the day. 🤷‍♂️ lol

[@coops9871]

Sharp hair cut Mark

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Paul haha :D

[@jasonhirst9723]

Insperation to me 🙏👍

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Jason!