A Reel For Barbel Fishing

[lyn]

I use 10lb main line & I have a Shimano with a fighting drag, i's a 3000 something!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE as you have not fished for them before do not go below 8lb line the object is to get the fish on the bank as quick as possible.

 

thanks

 

lyn

[Dick Dastardly]

I use line between 8lb and 12lb depending on conditions and situation.For this Ive found Mitchell 300/300S's, Cardinal C5's and 55's to be the perfect size. Im sure any reel from a good manufacturer of the same size would be fine.

[Brian Carragher]

I have a pair of Shimano 5000's loaded with 11lb Stren feeder line that I use for barbel fishing, nice reels and as already mentioned they balance a rod very well and they have the added advantage of having the baitrunner facility , the drags not bad either and I prefer to fish from the drag rather than backwinding as I feel it suits my style of fishing better by keeping direct contact with the fish without worrying about line wrapping around the bale roller when big fish go off on a run

[Guest tigger]

Shimano Super Baitrunner 5000 XTE-A

 

http://fish.shimano-eu.com/catalog/fish/pr...D=1213898909591

 

The perfect reel for the job.

 

 

 

Yes you are right they are super reels but just a bit to flash looking for me, I prefer the older models 5010's and 5000gte's with their black colour.

[Guest Rabbit]

I've never had a centrepin to call my own...I must enquire! How do I go about getting one? I actually own a Mitchell 300, but the bail arm has snapped off =[ Didn't get to use it much before that happened, so can't really say how I felt using it! Thanks for the idea though, I guess all these new fangled reels with a gazillion ball bearings don't really have a lot on the older ones?

 

I would not give one thought to using my 300, its in the bag consigned as sentimental and that's where it stays Barbel tackle needs to be both strong and subtle, rather than spend a lot of dosh on an expensive Shimano reel, good as they are you are paying a heavy premium for the name. So look at the Okuma's, great smooth reels with good gearing that wont let ypu down. and won't break the bank. I would lok for a 4000 series reel unless you really need a baitruner type, which so many buy but never need, so cut down on cost and weight.

The money you have saved could buy you a bespoke barbel rod such as the Wychwood 1.75 t.c or 1.50, at about £60 or less. Hooks are important, as is all the end rig, no matter what reel you buy the presentation has to be spot on, barbel are increasingly wary so some real thought needs to be applied here. Meat is a great bait, and hair rigged is a easy option, it can get instant results too.

A strong net and handle, a big bait bucket and nerves of steel will ensure you will get the best from Mr Boris, there is no cure BTW

Edited June 20, 2008 by Rabbit

[Dan Dan]

I would not give one thought to using my 300, its in the bag consigned as sentimental and that's where it stays Barbel tackle needs to be both strong and subtle, rather than spend a lot of dosh on an expensive Shimano reel, good as they are you are paying a heavy premium for the name. So look at the Okuma's, great smooth reels with good gearing that wont let ypu down. and won't break the bank. I would lok for a 4000 series reel unless you really need a baitruner type, which so many buy but never need, so cut down on cost and weight.

The money you have saved could buy you a bespoke barbel rod such as the Wychwood 1.75 t.c or 1.50, at about £60 or less. Hooks are important, as is all the end rig, no matter what reel you buy the presentation has to be spot on, barbel are increasingly wary so some real thought needs to be applied here. Meat is a great bait, and hair rigged is a easy option, it can get instant results too.

A strong net and handle, a big bait bucket and nerves of steel will ensure you will get the best from Mr Boris, there is no cure BTW

 

Sounds like I need to go barbel fishing with someone before I venture out on my own. My dad suggested Okuma but to be honest i'd never heard of them so just passed them off. I know hooks are important, but that wasn't really the problem I have, just really about the reel and what sort of braid/line I should be using.

[Dan Dan]

Went out this lunchtime to the tackle shop down the road (yeah I'm lucky I have one 5 mins from work ) and they had a Okuma 150 baitrunner for £20....should I get it? I was told it's the basic model, but for what I want will it be ok?

 

Is braid necessary as mainline? I didn't realise how expensive it is compared to mono/fluoro ><

[Guest Rabbit]

Went out this lunchtime to the tackle shop down the road (yeah I'm lucky I have one 5 mins from work ) and they had a Okuma 150 baitrunner for £20....should I get it? I was told it's the basic model, but for what I want will it be ok?

 

Is braid necessary as mainline? I didn't realise how expensive it is compared to mono/fluoro ><

Hi Dan

That reel will be just fine, i have some more expensive reels and an Okuma I paid 20 quid for, its my favourite reel, never lets me down with heavy cranking of 6ox weights or the clutch.

No need to but expensive braid Dan, stick with mone at least 10 lb b.s I would say. braid is better for touch ledgering ot rolling meat, I guess you may want to wait a bit before doing that!! Braid is good for hooklength when using meat, but other than that I use mono to hair rig my hooks. drennan specialist are good , I use size 10mainly for hallibut and at least 8 for meat.

Weights are flat gripper type are fine, from 1oz to 6oz should do. rig up with a running rig, using No 10 swivel with a bead. Short hooklength about 10'' should do.

Feed sparingly with a dropper or PVA bags (ideal) full of broken boilie and pellets.

Cast slightly downstream and keep rod tip at about 45 degrees. And wait for the action, assuming of course there are barbel nearby..fish very early and late in the summer., best of luck....

[DavyR]

...And if you don't go for the baitrunner option on the reel, make sure you hold the rod at all times - unless you're very good at swimming.

[Dan Dan]

Hi Dan

That reel will be just fine, i have some more expensive reels and an Okuma I paid 20 quid for, its my favourite reel, never lets me down with heavy cranking of 6ox weights or the clutch.

No need to but expensive braid Dan, stick with mone at least 10 lb b.s I would say. braid is better for touch ledgering ot rolling meat, I guess you may want to wait a bit before doing that!! Braid is good for hooklength when using meat, but other than that I use mono to hair rig my hooks. drennan specialist are good , I use size 10mainly for hallibut and at least 8 for meat.

Weights are flat gripper type are fine, from 1oz to 6oz should do. rig up with a running rig, using No 10 swivel with a bead. Short hooklength about 10'' should do.

Feed sparingly with a dropper or PVA bags (ideal) full of broken boilie and pellets.

Cast slightly downstream and keep rod tip at about 45 degrees. And wait for the action, assuming of course there are barbel nearby..fish very early and late in the summer., best of luck....

 

this post is so good i printed it out I bought some size 6 and 8 drennan specialists, a pack of #10 swivels and #8 snap links, a couple of new bombs (1,2,3 oz) and the reel this lunchtime so looks like im almost set! thanks again Rabbit, you own.