need sum guidance pls

[Dan B]

hi all was wondering if there was any hints n tips to fishing for barbel on the river medway as its a fish i havnt caught yet. I hav access to a boat n able to reach most parts but any help will do just point me in the rite direction n i will giv it a go wen the river finally opens thx

[fishypaul]

hi dan,i'm not really sure about the barbel population in the medway,i know the british record came from there a few years back but i think it was from way upstream around tonbridge way,
to me the medway isn't a typical barbel river being too deep and slow but the first place i would be inclined to search out are places where the water is a bit shallower and faster,
there is a weir around paddock wood way near to the hop farm that might be worth a cast or two,
best of luck in your search mate,
if you really want a barbel i can show you where there are a couple of still awaters in kent where they can be caught

[Dan B]

hi paul thx for ur response m8 n ur probly rite bout the medway i could spend a long time looking ;( i wasnt sure if barbel were kept in still waters does that mean thay they are not so hard fightin at all? i would be pleased to recieve any info on were to fish for them and tactics i gota start catchin a few other spieces ie barble chubb (even though mate had a couple of chubb on the medway via trotting a deadbait) wich were nice fish but not much of a fight on pike gear also want a thornback ray and mullet hav tried a few times but no success and not forgetting a catfish wich i still hav to add to my catchlist. i hav to admit that mainly my fishing consists of pike and carp but do enjoy trying new things n targeting paticular speices.

[jamie g]

Originally Posted by Dan B

hi paul thx for ur response m8 n ur probly rite bout the medway i could spend a long time looking ;( i wasnt sure if barbel were kept in still waters does that mean thay they are not so hard fightin at all? i would be pleased to recieve any info on were to fish for them and tactics i gota start catchin a few other spieces ie barble chubb (even though mate had a couple of chubb on the medway via trotting a deadbait) wich were nice fish but not much of a fight on pike gear also want a thornback ray and mullet hav tried a few times but no success and not forgetting a catfish wich i still hav to add to my catchlist. i hav to admit that mainly my fishing consists of pike and carp but do enjoy trying new things n targeting paticular speices.

they will be anywhere mate. canals ! and some places even stock them in pools ! there is barbel to 10 pound in a pool by me. someone i no had a 7 pound barbal out there in a match and for a stillwater barbel it didnt half fight

but most the time fast flow water is the place to look. and places where there are bends in the river and the water cuts into the bank and it go's slack.

if you find a swim you think is worth a try. go get some hemp in there for a couple of days. then fish it with some meat