Paste-wrapped boilies have accounted for their fair share of big barbel this season and it was this combination that Matthew Fernandez used to land a fish he won’t forget in a hurry.

Fishing a low-stocked and difficult river in the south, the Southampton-based specialist wrapped a Dynamite Baits Source boilie in matching paste to fool the specimen that topped the scales at 15lb 8oz.

“I decided to take advantage of the brief weather change to try my luck, I arrived later than usual but my confidence was very high due to how mild it was. Despite not having a brolly, I sat it out in the rain and was rewarded for my efforts.”

It smashes his previous best for the river by over 4lb and was beaten with his Martin Bowler Specialist Barbel 1.75lb rod, 10lb ESP Syncro XT Loaded mainline, a 15lb coated braid hooklink and a size 6 Cryogen Gripper hook.