which reel for trotting for barbel

[stickman]

Hello. I would like to apologise for the volume of text about to come your way but I do not know another way of describing the situation that I have today. I am not young. When I started there was just the stick float, centre pin reels and bait droppers. I caught quality roach and dace from the tidal at Richmond and upstream to Walton. Then I went overseas to earn money. When I came back, I discovered that we had moved from the downstream Thames to the upper Thames and it was all about the far bank and feeders. I tried the old ways from time to time but there was no competition with the chub and bream over there. So, I lost many of the skills that came so easily. Until I visited the Severn with friends a week ago. The river was below norm and clear. The barbel were not much in a mood for Halibut or anything stuck on the bottom.

 

I decide to try the stick float. It was a great success with 11 barbel hooked and 9 landed to 7lbs plus several chub to 3lbs. However, it caused me a lot of pain. Muscles not used in generations and tackle not really up to the job. I had to sit down several times just to ease the pain in my back. My Normark Titan did ok but I needed something stronger and longer. I am going to get a Harrison Gti 14 or 15ft.

 

I bought ABU 1044 Closed Face reels a very long time ago because the centre pins did not give me enough flexibility. I could fish near or further out provided my shotting pattern was right but I have never fully trusted them when it came to big fish. I felt compelled to combine the rod, reel and hand control of the line with the barbel, which is not good.

 

I like the closed face because I can cast without needing several fingers to loop line as with the centre pins. Anyway, my fingers are arthritic. I can perfectly control the float a long way down subject to the wind. The trouble is having exactly the right tension on the line when playing a fish. You do not always know how big the fish is until it has woken up, often just below your feet. I would like the closed face combined with the tension control of my Shimano fixed spools without the bale arm. Am I asking too much? I have serviced the 1044s but should I buy an ABU 704? How different is this new ABU? Thank you for your patience and your guidance.

[Worms]

I feel a sidecast 'pin with a lever drag coming on

[poledark]

Have no fear with the 1044, I have landed loads of tench to 6+ and a few carp

 

Having said that, I used a Shimano 4000 (with fighting drag) for most of my barbel fishing.

 

I have loaded my 1044 with 10lb power pro, and it handles really well....I put the 10lb on just in case I hit a carp while roaching (It has happened )

 

Den

Edited November 3, 2009 by poledark

[Jeffwill]

I decide to try the stick float. It was a great success with 11 barbel hooked and 9 landed to 7lbs plus several chub to 3lbs. However, it caused me a lot of pain. Muscles not used in generations and tackle not really up to the job. I had to sit down several times just to ease the pain in my back. My Normark Titan did ok but I needed something stronger and longer. I am going to get a Harrison Gti 14 or 15ft.

 

 

Trotting and a painful back....that sounds familiar....it happens every time..

 

Great catch by the way.... were you using the humble worm?

[The Squire]

There are still plenty of the older ABU500 series available secondhand on auction sites and these IMHO take some beating for quality.