The Fish I REALLY Wanted! Centrepin Trotting On Rivers

Andy tackles up to fish for barbel on trotting kit, on his native derbyshire Derwent. Trotting for barbel with a centrepin is one of the purest forms of coarse fishing, but very difficult! Stick float fishing a centrepin for barbel is something Andy has never done, so is bound to be a real challenge. Centrepin trotting is considered the most traditional of methods to catch barbel in rivers, but can be so effective!Stick float Barbel fishing in the UK has it's own devotees, but Andy isn't experienced with it, and trotting a centrepin will only make it harder! Enjoy: The Fish I REALLY Wanted! Centrepin Trotting On Rivers

[@user-fy8et7eu3k]

Hi I am paul been fishing since i was 4 i am 5 now no 48 a all round angler love it i was buzzing with you getting that barbel mint start just started watching you good luck its not easy trotting keep trying thats best way

[@tommos16]

I am always consistently surprised you have “only” 20,000 subscribers. Worthy of even more! Much more for me

[@IBandAndyFishing]

we're always surprised we've got this many bud, thank you so much!

[@tommos16]

@@IBandAndyFishing ah that doesn't surprise me at all - two good eggs! And fantastic anglers. Keep catching them, if you can get near the river. The Ribble by me has been on its bum for months

[@hoppo00]

Love this video! So nice to see barbel caught on float. I trot meat on a pin at Elvaston on the Derwent there's no better way to catch them 👍🏻

[@IBandAndyFishing]

I couldn't agree more with you there! Hoping to sneak one more out before the season ends

[@billpope2262]

When I returned to fishing as an old codger, I did little of the same styles I practised when young. I learned trotting with a centrepin and lure fishing. Now I’m learning to use baitcasters and a closed-faced reel. It does make you a better angler, but it’s also great for your mental fitness I think. I love every minute. Even the odd birdsnest 😂

[@IBandAndyFishing]

I remember the baitcaster birds nests - it gets easier, I promise!

[@carlwaine5263]

Hi Andy, I used to fish for barbel before the addiction for fly fishing took hold! My first barbel was while float fishing for grayling using a pin and trotting through on the upper Severn. The depth change issue is resolved by checking the line - hold your rod thumb against the centre pin’s rim near the rod. The bait then lifts off the bottom. Takes a bit of practice and sometimes you’ll find that just by feathering the rim lightly it will be enough to slow the pace of the float over snags etc. Use pressure on the rim to control the fish as a sort of drag, it will be one second nature in no time. Another tip, take off your line guard if you can and have the line coming off the top of the centre pin. It takes a while to get used to winding backwards to retrieve but it reduces the inertia so the line travels easier. You taught me so much on our guided session last year so I thought it would be good to give a bit back. Incidentally, if you really get into it, invest in an Adcock Stanton centre pin but make sure you get one with a check. Some of the early ones didn’t have one but you can pick them up off eBay pretty reasonably. Forget about the ridiculous price of old Ariels etc., the Adcock beats them hands down imho. Many thanks, Carl Waine

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Carl! It was suggested to me to reverse the line on the reel but I decided not to, to start with, I've got enough to worry about without having to wind the handle the wrong way 😂😂 I definitely need to manage that float better during the drift, plenty to work on - thank you!

[@ashcookflyfishingchannel9918]

Bloody brilliant! I had ago for barbel for my first time ever in September. Just like you ended up buying a new rod and other bits and bats. Caught my first one on 3rd trip and was only in water 20mins. Was a unreal fight and I went mental when it was in the net telling myself well done 😂 awesome mate, completely get the feeling your bud gives out!

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Nothing like working through the plan and making it happen is there?! Still not sure what I'm doing, must have been a very sympathetic barbel 😂😂

[@geoffhadley1760]

I really enjoyed this, mate! Brought back lots of memories for me of trotting for barbel on the Severn in years gone by. It's great to see your enthusiasm and unbridled joy when that barbel hit the net! Wonderful!

[@IBandAndyFishing]

You can give me some lessons by the sounds of it, keen for a session?!

[@geoffhadley1760]

@@IBandAndyFishing I'd love to, mate. It's been a long old time though...!🙈

[@nigelmartin3659]

The ultimate fishing rush to catch a good fish on new gear and using a new technique which you have planned and executed

[@IBandAndyFishing]

I think there was an element of beginners luck, but I'll take it! Thank you!

[@dangazzard3449]

Bloody awesome Andy!

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Cheers Dan, not quite Bolivia but I'm working towards it!

[@philglasgow5815]

Brilliant! Well done!🎉

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Cheers Phil! Have you guys been out again?

[@bobbydotson3856]

Great video it's always fun to try something new when you go fishing

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Bobby, we totally agree!

[@lisabarrett9030]

Lovely to see you trying this, I agree so nice to take on all aspects of fishing. I spend 80% of my time with a float rod and Centerpin in my hands. I too use Olivets, but will go back traditional shot in these situations, you can lift some of the weight up nearer to the float to get you over those ledges. Looking at the water you are fishing you definitely don’t need all that bulk down low. Hold it back as it first enters the water to get the bait in front and ease it into the trot letting it speed up as you clear the ledges. Don’t ever feed line off your pin, should never be a need for that. I would have said the time of year is perfect and switch to a traditional metal bait dropper, those plastic ones look hard work. Also loose feed your hemp every cast, it will get down in the water you are fishing. Love the work, keep them coming. Tight lines, jon Barrett

[@IBandAndyFishing]

thanks so much Jon, this is perfect, looking forward to getting back after the barbel asap!

[@dougsked5598]

Well done Andy! Cracking fish. Enjoyed watching.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it doug!

[@demon_flyfishing]

Awesome mate, cracking video 👌🏻👍🏻

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Damo, much appreciated!

[@williestew68]

Good on ye Andy!!!!!!! And again, another great vlog 😁👍

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Willie, was really happy to get off the mark with this one!

[@lastcastthistimelolanymeth7163]

Enjoyed that mate well done 👏 🎣

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Glad you enjoyed, thanks!

[@nicholastully7865]

wonderful. Another string to your bow. Really great to see genuine excitement on your face as you showed the fish to the camera. Well done Andy.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Nick! I was chuffed, as you could tell!

[@martinhemmings3523]

Love this Video Andy. I'm obsessed with fishing for Barbel on the float. My new obsession is fly fishing on river after acquiring some fly gear from a passed friend. In my Xmas stocking will be a guided day with yourself to get me on the way.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

thanks so much Martin, much appreciated!

[@michaelrutherford5138]

Brilliant Andy never loose that excitement of catching superb 👏 🎣

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Can't beat it when a plan comes together can you?!

[@leegordon6856]

Challenging conditions Andy cuz these floods but did short evening session when water & nice 3lb Chub on the bread feeder & flake on hook & went home happy,tight lines

[@IBandAndyFishing]

nice work Lee, good stuff!

[@Tjk186]

Congrats on your 20k+ subs...and a beautiful Derwent barbel...well floated and trotted :)👏

[@IBandAndyFishing]

thanks so much, I was chuffed to bits with that one!

[@rogertill2326]

Great video, nice to see honesty at the forefront. What a beautiful fish and your technique is getting there😊. A lovely piece of water with some lovely scenery. Keep ‘em coming.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Roger, that's very kind!

[@leegordon6856]

Cracking Barbel & quality video & gave me some good ideas on me own fishing,cheers mate tight lines

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Lee, let us know how you get on!

[@jamesjohnston1080]

Hi Andy brilliant video you can’t beat catching on a new method and what a barbel it was 🎣good luck

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks James, I'm still buzzing three months later!

[@jerryglover5435]

Top angling Andy. Nice one. I’m gonna have to sneak some more kit in to the garage again after watching that !

[@IBandAndyFishing]

There's always space for one more rod!

[@LukeAndrewFlint]

That was a great brown to show such disappointment with! Interesting video, I've never seen that technique before. Good job!

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Out of season I'm afraid, I'll try to find him again next year!😂

[@zacharybattams9453]

Great video Andy, congratulations on a stunning barbel 👏 Hope you vlog some more of your trotting sessions, I will be trying shads and crank baits for the first time this winter 🫣

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Cheers bud! Cranks on high pressure, shads on low pressure 👍👍

[@paulfletcher8795]

Brilliant Andy - well done mate. Great to see barbel in the Derbyshire Derwent & that far upstream. I grew up fishing a little downstream in Darley Dale and I understand decent barbel are coming out down there too. You have inspired me to leave my local Trent & Dove and head back up the A6. 👍👍

[@IBandAndyFishing]

They're up there in good numbers Paul, I reckon there's one with your name on!

[@jackbolesgtr]

Great fish! Love seeing this other content as a multi-species/method angler. Would love to see some more pike and perch vids. I've caught some of my best perch on the fly!

[@IBandAndyFishing]

I went over to the broads at the start of the week to do just that, the rain never stopped! Will keep trying to mix it up 👍👍

[@timothysmart8528]

Congrats on the 20k! Lots more adverts 😡 Looking forward to barbel fishing on the Trent next year 🤞🏽

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Cheers Tim!

[@silentangling]

Hi Andy, A very enjoyable video. The format of PTC linking together clips from multiple session worked exceptionally well as it created a strong uninterrupted narrative. Congratulations on catching your first barbel on the pin and thank you for sharing it. "Holding back" it the technique that would help with the changing of depth. Thanks again for sharing a inspirational film.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Huge thanks, much appreciated, its a bit of a first for me, this format. Maybe something to continue in the future!

[@silentangling]

@@IBandAndyFishing it's a great way to allow you to concentrate on the job in hand and just let the camera roll then piece it together during edit. I look forward to watching you develop the format and how your centrepin skill grow. Thank you again for inspiring

[@accordingtopete555]

I did the same a few years ago, bought a centrepin with the hop of using it but got terrified of it, thats me now, this weekend im off to use mine , thanks for the motivation

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Fantastic! Get out and use it Pete - what's the worst that can happen?!

[@highlandfishingdiary8818]

Well done. I remember catching a couple of barbel partly by accident, on the Wharfe whilst trotting casters and that was an amazing feeling as I only ever caught them previously on static baits when targeting them. They’re an amazing fish, no mean feat to achieve what you did pretty quickly 👍

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks very much, I'm very chuffed with it!

[@markandrew9215]

So you finally got to do it Andy ! Well done and some rather familiar water! Just a note about the Centre pin , you are letting the pin control you, if you keep the line off the water direct to the float you can inch a bait through making sure the Olivetti is just off the bottom( essential as it starts getting colder). Similarly when you are trying to get to deeper part of the peg , keep holding the float back until you you get to the deeper water. Great result for your first attempt! The stretch where you got the Barbel is better for this time of year, the shallow stretches are better in the summer.Also you don't really need a bait dropper in that depth of water you can loose feed hemp and meat at the top of the peg .

[@IBandAndyFishing]

I did say I was going to do it at some point! Great advice, stuff I'll definitely try. I think the fly angler in me is too worried about affecting the float as it goes through, I can hold back a bit more than I've been willing to

[@markandrew9215]

You might want to clean the bearings in your pin too ,soak in lighter fluid and then re-oil withlight machine oil, the current should pull the line off you don't need to bat it if you've got it set up right .@@IBandAndyFishing

[@iankenison9962]

Great effort and getting bites, personally with luncheon meat I like to a use 15mm pipe punch trim it a little let the hook point show and put shrink tubing on hook shank to help hold meat. Hope that helps

[@IBandAndyFishing]

I'll try that out, thank you!

[@stevemad4salmon]

Anby + iB well done on the barbel, you taught me E/ nymphing, so hopefully, i can reciprocate with a few pointers here for you. 1. The bait dropper needs to sink on a taughtish line so the weight hits bottom first, if it sinks on a loose line it will lay flat and not open. 2. The olivette needs to be 2/3 to 3/4 of the depth youre fishing, any higher, you wont see bites and worse may end up end up with a deep hooked fish. 3. Try a hair rig for the meat, it offers far superior presentation and the meat stays on better. 4. Get yourself a net float, it will really help when the river is up and the flow is strong. 5. If the depth is constantly varying you either need to prime a small 'taking spot' the right depth or generally people would tackle it with a feeder or lead or rolling meat etc. 6. I really think you underestimated that barbel, i'd put it somewhere between 6-8lbs - good luck, tight line and enjoy. Steve. Ps when will we see Mrs B on the Barbel???

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Funnily enough IB just said that she though I'd underestimated the weight too. I'd rather go low and not be too far wrong! I'm trying to avoid hair rigging, the river bed here is a tackle graveyard and I know it'll cause me problems snagging up. The olivette/weight thing is a real puzzle. I really want to be on the deck but the areas where I see barbel the most are steep drop offs, going from 2' to 6' in a few rod lengths - you might be right about about just having a taking zone though 👍 Food for thought, thank you! 👍👌👊

[@grahamwaddilove7112]

Hi @Andy great video, I miss doing this sort of fishing, To answer your question at 15:40 - hold the float back to lift the hook bait, then when you are sure(after a few runs through) let it drift at the rivers speed. but your there, it does tranlate from your nymphing style.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

habits die hard don't they, I'm definitely trying to euro nymph that bait!

[@Srulio]

Well done on your new catch! I am also planning a fishing expedition using centrepin as a remembrance for my late father describing his boyhood fishing experiences in Derbyshire. As for float and depth setting, the American steelhead anglers have lots of KZbin material on river fishing. Australian luderick anglers also use centrepin reels on rocky coast and estuary waters.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks buddy, much appreciated! 👍 👍

[@paulgoodenough8089]

Cracking video m8. That's a lovely Barbel 👏👏👏. Looking forward to the next one. Cheers Paul up on the Thames in Oxfordshire 🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Paul, that's very kind! Will try to get a bit more done this autumn if the weather allows 👍👍

[@paulgoodenough8089]

Im totally landlocked here in Oxfordshire but im a total beach fishing nut. Not always been that way. Have caught many Barbel on the Thames local to me. My PB 11lb 8oz. Caught way back in 1976 when I was a 15 year old lad. Met up with some chaps on a day ticket and they put me on the fish. Total legends. I am a total Ray fishing nutter and it's only recently I have been back on the River Thame not Thames. A tributary of the big river. Caught a couple of small Chub on the floating breadcrust . Got me hooked all over again. Been out with one of your Guiding companions a Mr Griffiths from South Wales. Absolute legend of a beach man. Best of the best 👌. 🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@davidtc5346]

Sweet. As the others have said, holding it back is the answer to managing her depth and usually a good thing anyway. Different approach to trying to dead drift.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks David! I'll give it a go next time 👍👍

[@eliotdeag8040]

Great video Andy, amazing enthusiasm and reaction to that fish. I wonder if its possible to get one on the Nymph? Talking about learning something new, i am getting to grips with the EN with some of your Grayling flies and finally managed a PB grayling on the Itchen a couple of weekends ago, so thanks for the great flies, including the Gold head red tag and Pink shrimp (that got the PB). Tight lines , Eliot

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Great work Eliot, congrats on the PB! Definitely possible to get them on the fly, we've been doing it by accident quite regularly!

[@BobbyBlues]

I've never seen you so excited for a fish in all your videos aha.. =D

[@IBandAndyFishing]

This one meant a lot, I honestly had/ have no idea what I'm doing 😂😂

[@davidworsfold6589]

Best way to catch them.on the pin ...well.done

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks David!

[@davidhempkin2402]

Great video Andy never fished for barbel before looks like great fun. Gona fish for pike on the fly this year that will be me out of my comfort zone 😂

[@IBandAndyFishing]

You'll have a blast mate, just embrace the process and keep at it, you can't go wrong! 👍👍👍

[@davidhempkin2402]

@@IBandAndyFishing cheers lad 🐊👌

[@JWhite-Fishing]

Excellent work and a lovely fish Andy, Barbel on centrepin is as you say the purest form of coarse fishing. See my answer to the question you posed below. The trick to getting a good trot is to have the bait precede the float down the run. Unfortunately I can't do diagrams on here to explain that, but suffice to say, holding back the float with the centrepin is the way to achieve this. This technique forces the bait to stay slightly off the bottom, or lightly bounce along, and can be used to pull the bait up and over obstacles. Fish don't seem to care about drag when a big piece of smelly meat or a wriggling maggot comes their way.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks so much, we both really appreciate it! I think I get what you mean, I just really struggled to get the olivette over the shallow stuff. Maybe the solution is not using the olivette?

[@JWhite-Fishing]

​@@IBandAndyFishing I will admit I've never used an olivette - smaller shot in a bulk configuration do tend to catch bottom less and drift more freely than larger shot - this diagram on a John Wilson video does explain it a little! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqKnfnyGjriYo9U - for Barbel I tend to use a 3g float with 5 or 6BBs.

[@jonjoyce7881]

Hi Andy, I have been fishing for nearly 50 years now, rivers are my favorite venue and have long trotted for most of that time, usually for chub and grayling. I tend not to spin the centrepin and let the river peel off what it needs to by itself, as this tends to help the speed at the bottom of the river rather than the surface speed if that makes any sense, it is very similar to euro nymphing in that sense. To me it is fly fishing that is fairly new and still learning at present, my local river is the Tees now and fish this as often as I can, during the cooler months I know where the Grayling shoal up and catch between 20-30 on an average session, The river at this point is around 3-4 feet deep and fairly sluggish in pace and would like to try nymphs for them, have you ant ideas as to the best method to try to catch these on nymphs in slow water if this can be done

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Jon! I think I'd be using a duo or trio setup in that water. Either that or fish the euro techniques at long range - this can be tough in very slow water though 👍

[@wonkylommiter6364]

B&M bargains always have the Plumrose luncheon meat in stock Andy. 👍

[@jorvikangler]

Well done on your first float fished barbel. The reason the bait-dropper doesn't work well is because the lead weight isn't heavy enough. In shallow water like that I would just chuck the bait in by hand. If you're have to tap the reel to keep the line going out there's a problem. Float of that weight in that current should have no problem pulling line from the reel. When Nottingham casting let go of the top loop first, the the next. Letting go of both at the same time can cause it to wrap round a rod ring. Good luck with any future attempts at this. Perhaps a spot of nymphing for them next summer?

[@IBandAndyFishing]

This is some very cultured advice, you've done this before! I over filled the reel quite a lot, I think the line was bedding, hence the issues with it coming off the reel - it got better in time! On the subject of time, that's been the issue with nymphing for them. Plus, one of the guys in the club did a whole summer on them and only had one!

[@jorvikangler]

@@IBandAndyFishing I've made all the mistakes you can with a centrepin, and still do occasionally.😃 I must admit that I've hooked more barbel when nymphing for grayling than I have deliberately fly fishing for them.

[@joeking2474]

Check the tension on your spool the centrepin should peel off line with no help at all maybe put a little mineral oil on the pin itself.

[@ccgm1964]

Ah - you are also now getting the barbel bug! (as we discussed!).

[@IBandAndyFishing]

It's been there a while, time as ever has been the enemy. No longer!

[@stephennewton3980]

Really enjoyed this video. Thank you. I still have an Edgar Sealy Octofloat rod from the mid 1960s (11ft, 3 piece, split cane) that I used trotting maggots for grayling and chub on the Nidd, Wharfe etc., (and for pretty much all my bait fishing). What centrepin reel are you using, please? It seems to run well. Congratulations on taking a good barbel on a 'pin.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Stephen! It's only a cheap one, an old Advanti Trinium, a knock-off of the Okuma Sheffield. It seems to work OK to me, but I'm not expert!

[@stephennewton3980]

Interesting... Thank you.@@IBandAndyFishing

[@FraggsUK]

Re the baitdropper, I find the plastic type hopeless as the body is too light, the solution is to place a strip of lead o n the outside edge next to the hinge or get an all metal version 👍🙂

[@IBandAndyFishing]

My worry is that my rod is too soft for the metal one?

[@FraggsUK]

@@IBandAndyFishing it shouldnt be ,the weight is in the whole dropper not just the weight on the end of the release pin so around the same weight as the plastic type and its not as if you are casting with it, just an underarm swing to get it out

[@SNIPERUTARA101]

l lke it

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thank you!

[@davidl5402]

Enjoyed the video 👍 Have been thinking for giving trotting a try for grayling this winter, can I ask what make and model of Centrepin reel you used? Thx

[@IBandAndyFishing]

If I can do it then you definitely can! This is an old avanti trinium, an okuma Sheffield knock off

[@davidl5402]

@@IBandAndyFishing thanks for the info 👍

[@00markelliott00]

❤

[@Nicktgrief]

They are cracking little reels if its the one I think it is and a reasonable price. Its always nice to catch on your local patch. I remember my 1st Barbel 40 years ago been there about 3 hours and nothing so I thought time for a cuppa and Bang ... 10lb on the button never bettered it 🤣. Not to get IB to catch one thats your task.😉

[@IBandAndyFishing]

It's the Avanti Trinium, a knock off of the Okuma Sheffield. IB is keen on a barbel, that's a big challenge!

[@stevewilliams5428]

Good effort. Lose the olivette. Use shot and learn how they influence the way the bait moves and behaves through the swim. If you are using hemp you may get false bites on the shot, so use smaller stotz close together.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Thanks Steve, definitely lots to learn on this!

[@simongill8344]

B&M mate for your luncheon meat 1.69/tin👍

[@IBandAndyFishing]

I'll get on it!

[@garyhazell4228]

What reel are you using, please?

[@IBandAndyFishing]

This is an old avanti Trinium- okuma Sheffield knock off

[@calhough8088]

Can u do some more pike fishing videos

[@IBandAndyFishing]

It's in the plan, yes!

[@richardbawcombe8036]

I am embarrassed by the indecent amount of joy it gives me watching you being less than an expert at a fishing method! Of course you caught one though, well played great vid.

[@IBandAndyFishing]

😂😂 you've seen be less than expert at fly fishing before! Cheers bud, see you up here soon 👍

[@YoutubeTime-sd1jz]

Can you get a day ticket for barbel on that part of the river

[@IBandAndyFishing]

You can't I'm afraid no

[@YoutubeTime-sd1jz]

Thanks for the reply its nice to get one ,Thanks again @@IBandAndyFishing

[@IBandAndyFishing]

I wish it was a slightly more positive response for you! There's very little day ticket water in our county, its a real problem 😢

[@neilmason158]

Why use a bait dropper, I have trotted for fifty years and never used one. I would feed chopped worm fed by hand and trotted worm on a size twelve hook.

[@YoutubeTime-sd1jz]

Trust you to catch a trout

[@IBandAndyFishing]

Bloody magnet, aren't I?!