Doug Penny netted himself a new River Thames personal best in the shape of this stunning 17lb 1oz barbel on his most recent session, the fish falling just 12oz short of his overall pb which has stood for 12 years!

Doug told us “I have been fishing the thames for a couple of years now in search of some big barbel. I went a few days prior to this catching this fish and blanked but the conditions were looking very good so I just had to get back out there and I’m glad I did as I landed this lovely 17lb 1oz fish which fell just 12oz short of my pb which was caught from the loddon 12 years ago. I had the bite a couple of hours after dark and after a long slow fight which saw the fish hug the bottom and take live several times, I managed to slip her over the net with my size 8 hook and boilie wrapped in paste as hookbait doing the business.”