We have to say, this picture from London Specialist Carl Welch is one of the finest Barbel photos we’ve seen all season, deservedly winning a Drennan Award in this week’s issue of the Angling Times.

After prebaiting one of his local stretches, Carl push-biked back to fish on a very cold frosty day, and his efforts were rewarded with this memorable 17lb 6oz fish!

Carl pre-baited with and used an Aqua Dynamix Monster Worm boilie to fool the big fish, which adds to the 18lb 1oz specimen Carl bagged back in November from the same river (but a different fish).

Carl uses the Martin Bowler Specialist Barbel 12ft 1.75lb rods, and on this occasion used a 15lb Drennan Gravel Braid hooklength through to a size 8 hook. For full details on this rod as used by Carl, click here.

Check out the excellent Aqua Dynamix website for details of the Monster Worm boilies as used by Carl, here.