The Barbel is the ultimate fast river fish built for strength and power. It's name comes from the Latin name barbellus which literally translated means small beard. It doesn't have a beard of course rather four 'whiskers', from which it gets it's name, which it uses on shingle bottoms to feel and search for food.
Description
It is probably impossible to mistake Barbus barbus for any other UK coarse fish not least because having managed to land a sizeable specimen in a fast moving river, against the current, your aching arm alone will tell you its Barbus barbus!!
Their bodies are elogated and they are golden olive green with a tint of orange. Their top lip protrudes over the bottom and they have four distinctive barbules, two each side.
Habitat
Fast moving rivers in shallow water with protcetion of weeds and a stoney or shingle bottom are their favourite haunts. Smaller fish have also been stocked into man-made stillwaters.
Baits
Naturally Barbus barbus eats shrimps, insect larvea and occaisonally weeds.
The best baits are similar to that of chub and are readily available at your local tackle shop
such as maggot, caster and bread. Hemp is a very good bait to loose feed and keep them occupied.
Barbus barbus can grow very big given the correct environment and the current British rod caught record stands at 21lb 2oz.
If you would like to submit a picture of your latest barbel
catch Click this link
