Since launch back in August 2011 our Martin Bowler Specialist Barbel 12ft 1.75lb rod has really established itself amongst discerning big fish anglers, who want a purpose designed, high quality rod which both looks and performs exactly right for the job!

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk angler Lee Symonds invested in a matching pair and embarked on the 450 mile round trip cross country to fish the famous River Severn in the Bridgnorth, Shropshire area – his mission being to capture his first Barbel.

The trip wasn’t without problems – initially Lee found the fishing very slow and struggling for bites, wisely decided to visit the nearby tackle shop for local advice. Waiting for dusk, Lee attacked the river with renewed confidence, and was soon rewarded with a 3lb Chub, and then to his delight, his first ever Barbel, weighing a respectable 5lb 6oz!

With this success Lee decided to fish on, and having gone to get a headtorch and some warmer clothes – returned to bag further chub of 5lb 6oz and then 4lb 4oz to complete a really fine catch. Unfortunately Lee also found he’d travelled all that way and left his camera behind in Norfolk, so apologizes for the low-resolution pictures taken on his iPhone.

All the fish were taken on either meat or 12mm Pellets, fished over a feed of 4mm Pellets and some Hemp, and Lee used size 8 Drennan Super Specialist Barbel hooks on 8lb Double Strength hooklinks.

For full details on the quite superb Drennan Martin Bowler Specialist Barbel 12ft 1.75lb rods, click here.