BEAUTY & THE BEAST – by Dr Bruno Broughton

A barbel cannot disguise its intentions: the torpedo shape and paddle-like fins are obvious clues to its way of life. In the fast-flowing water for which it is so perfectly adapted, the streamlined form allows the fish to hug the bottom and hold station against powerful flows. The paired pectoral fins serve as anchoring devices and current deflectors. These body features are largely responsible for the barbel’s well-known fighting abilities. The description ‘beauty and the beast’ was never more apt!

 

WHEN YOU CLICK ON LINKS TO VARIOUS MERCHANTS ON THIS SITE AND MAKE A PURCHASE, THIS CAN RESULT IN THIS SITE EARNING A COMMISSION. AFFILIATE PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE EBAY PARTNER NETWORK AND AMAZON
barbel.jpg

Easy to identify
The only fish with which barbel, when small, could be confused are gudgeon. Other than the colour differences – gudgeon are more mottled – the giveaway feature is the position of four fleshy barbules around their mouths. In barbel, there are two at the junction of the thick lips and two on the snout; in gudgeon, there is a pair of barbules on either side of the mouth.

Life in the fast lane
These feelers help barbel locate their food by touch and, perhaps, by smell – they are well served with sensory cells. Although the underslung mouth is ideal for grubbing about for the bottom-dwelling invertebrate animals, its position means that the fish loses sight of their food before it is eaten. The characteristic, rod-bending bite of a barbel is often a result of the fish turning downstream once it has taken the bait, behaviour which is particularly noticeable where a shoal of barbel is present. Small fish are sometimes eaten, notably in early summer.

Night’s the time
Barbel can be caught in large numbers during the daylight hours, but there is no doubt that much of their feeding takes places after dark. Fish which spend their days resting up near snags or in weir pools become more active after nightfall, especially during flood-water conditions, and they may travel hundreds of yards from their usual haunts.

There is evidence that some barbel are more home-loving than others. The real nomads, often the larger fish, may wander along many miles of river in search of food.

–*–

If you’re interested in cheap barbel fishing tackle and bait, please click here.

 

PVA Mesh Fast Melt Refill 50 Metres Wide 35mm Narrow 25mm Stick Mix 15mm
eBay
£18.99
PVA Mesh Fast Melt Refill 50 Metres Wide 35mm Narrow 25mm Stick Mix 15mm
PVA SOLID FAST MELT BAGS 50 PACK 7 SIZES
eBay
£4.65
PVA SOLID FAST MELT BAGS 50 PACK 7 SIZES
PVA Mesh 10M Refill 37mm 25mm or 15mm
eBay
£15.99
PVA Mesh 10M Refill 37mm 25mm or 15mm
40 x green Anti-tangle sleeves 54mm long Carp, Barbel Fishing tackle UK seller
eBay
£6.84
40 x green Anti-tangle sleeves 54mm long Carp, Barbel Fishing tackle UK seller
Pack of 10 Barbel / carp Gripper Fishing leads Assorted sizes Available
eBay
£19.95
Pack of 10 Barbel / carp Gripper Fishing leads Assorted sizes Available
Drennan Specialist XT Barbel hooks - Barbed or Barbless - New 2025
eBay
£2.45
Drennan Specialist XT Barbel hooks - Barbed or Barbless - New 2025
Bait Syringe Carp Barbel Coarse Pike Predator Sea Fishing (2 Sizes)
eBay
£2.90
Bait Syringe Carp Barbel Coarse Pike Predator Sea Fishing (2 Sizes)
10 x 3.5oz DUMPY DISTANCE CAMO BROWN TEXTURE COATED CARP/BARBEL LEAD WEIGHTS
eBay
£11.18
10 x 3.5oz DUMPY DISTANCE CAMO BROWN TEXTURE COATED CARP/BARBEL LEAD WEIGHTS
Luncheon meat stops, paste stops, barbel fishing, POST FREE
eBay
£3.89
Luncheon meat stops, paste stops, barbel fishing, POST FREE
Gardner Tackle Kinetic Sinking Shock Leader - Carp Barbel Coarse Fishing Line
eBay
£9.99
Gardner Tackle Kinetic Sinking Shock Leader - Carp Barbel Coarse Fishing Line
BARBEL Underwater Fish Art Print Drawing Picture MOUNTED Present Gift For Angler
eBay
£14.99
BARBEL Underwater Fish Art Print Drawing Picture MOUNTED Present Gift For Angler
72 X Sliding Float Stops Rubber Grippa Barrel Rig Buffer Line & Braid Fishing
eBay
£3.99
72 X Sliding Float Stops Rubber Grippa Barrel Rig Buffer Line & Braid Fishing

About the author

Dr Bruno Broughton

Pin It on Pinterest

Anglers' Net
barbel.jpg
PVA Mesh Fast Melt Refill 50 Metres Wide 35mm Narrow 25mm Stick Mix 15mm
PVA SOLID FAST MELT BAGS 50 PACK 7 SIZES
PVA Mesh 10M Refill 37mm 25mm or 15mm
40 x green Anti-tangle sleeves 54mm long Carp, Barbel Fishing tackle UK seller
Pack of 10 Barbel / carp Gripper Fishing leads Assorted sizes Available
Drennan Specialist XT Barbel hooks - Barbed or Barbless - New 2025
Bait Syringe Carp Barbel Coarse Pike Predator Sea Fishing (2 Sizes)
10 x 3.5oz DUMPY DISTANCE CAMO BROWN TEXTURE COATED CARP/BARBEL LEAD WEIGHTS
Luncheon meat stops, paste stops, barbel fishing, POST FREE
Gardner Tackle Kinetic Sinking Shock Leader - Carp Barbel Coarse Fishing Line
BARBEL Underwater Fish Art Print Drawing Picture MOUNTED Present Gift For Angler
72 X Sliding Float Stops Rubber Grippa Barrel Rig Buffer Line & Braid Fishing
CookieYes Logo