Autumn is an exceptionally good time for barbel fishing. They are preparing for the winter and are gorging themselves. I decided to use an intensive pre-feeding strategy and this is on the account of an unforgettable experience. I had arranged for two days off work and chose what I thought was a favourable spot and began with the feeding.

The first session began on Thursday September 30th  just a week prior to this account. I began with an afternoon session from 14-30pm to 18-30pm. Four very interesting hours!

I mount the hair with the new barbel bait from Sonubaits barbel 11mm hookbait and alternating between flavours hemp and spicy sausage, hemp and cheesy garlic and hemp and halibut. Pre-feeding consisted of a total of 2 kilo 4mm and 8 mm pellets and during the whole session another 2 kilo groundbait in the feeder.

After a while the tip goes off and I make my strike. I can feel that I have got a big boy on the hook and after a fairly long play I managed to safely land him. Quickly on the measuring board, 80.5 cms and 14.1lbs on the scales. A beautiful barbel and a super weight. Instant success and this was only my first day.

Friday morning, second session from 08-30am to 12-30pm and another 2kilo of 4mm and 6mm pellets for the pre-feed. I also prepare 2 kilo of Sonubaits Hemp and Hali crush for the feeder. After 2 hours I have caught 3 barbel and the tip goes off again. I have dropped the feeder full in the current and am having to use a 150 gm feeder to keep it there. The bite felt fantastic and the fish went to the bottom and stayed there just like yesterday.
A short time later I got a bit of movement in the fish and could get him a little closer to the bank where I could begin with the play. A couple of explosive runs and spectacular dives and a long play I finally landed him. 2nd double in two days.

I give the barbel some rest in the landing net and take some rest myself, what a monster!Yesterday and now once again. It couldn’t get better especially when you are looking at the end of the barbel season.
Another heavyweight, another beautiful fish. I don’t know what to do first, measure or weigh him but go for the scales. What a whopper 14.6 lbs and 81cms long. This is really unique, two doubles in two days. it can’t get better.

I give my fishing spot a day of rest saturday and decide to give it another go on Sunday from 07-30am to 12-00am.This turned out to be even crazier!
Inside 2 minutes of my first cast I have my first barbel of the day on the hook and this turns out to be only the beginning.10-30 am and the count is 12x barbel caught. I have never experienced this before. I have heard of such numbers being caught but for me it is something new on the river De IJssel.
The tip didn’t move for half an hour and I can enjoy the nice weather. The intensive pre-feeding campaign proves that this can deliver lots of fish. The first cast delivered a barbel.

All of a sudden the rod goes off again. This feels immediately like a massive fish, wow! This heavyweight turns out to be really violent but after a long and spectacular play I can finally net this barbel. This is really unbelievable. Thursday, Friday and Sunday a double. This barbel is not such a heavyweight but I have seen lighter fish of this length.13.1lbs is still a heavy fish! After this catch I set my rod aside and enjoy a rest and a third day of exceptional fishing. Eventually I catch one more barbel and bring the days total to 14x barbel caught.