Harrell Wins His Second Shakespeare Champs With 13lb Barbel

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

Harrell Wins His Second Shakespeare Champs With 13lb Barbel
Dave Harrell won his second Shakespeare Championship and a cool £6,000 on Saturday after bucking the trend of fishing with bloodworm and joker and fishing out and out for barbel instead.
After just 15 minutes Dave, fishing peg 27 on the Evesham Town water, latched into a huge fish weighing 13lb 5oz and the match was effectively over, his overall 14lb winning weight being over 3lb too good for second placed Will Raison who caught five chub on waggler and maggot from the mouth of the Isbourne after netting a few early roach on bloodworm.
Dave told Match Fishing magazine: “I have long been convinced that the commotion of anglers balling in groundbait can make bigger fish like barbel back away. For this reason, I decided to let the anglers around me do this, while I simply cast out a small open ended feeder stuffed with dampened pellets, with an 11mm halibut pellet on the hook.
On my second cast of the day, around 15 minutes in, my rod arched over and a 13lb 5oz beast was the hooked. I don’t mind admitting that I was more than a bit nervous as I slipped the net under it – as many were predicting that the match would be a low weight affair.”

2012 Shakespeare Championship, Warks Avon, Evesham
Dave Harrell (DH Angling/ Bait Tech), 14-0-0, peg 27 (£6,000); Will Raison (Daiwa/ Sensas) 10-10-0, peg 35; Gary Smith (Worcester Sports) 8-4-0, peg 6; Alan Scotthorne (Drennan/ Sensas) 6-11-0, peg 8; Leigh Gardner (Shakespeare Superteam) 6-9-8, peg 36.

[TF_Waveney One]

I heard about the barbel after the R Yare match when in the pub awaiting our results. Everyone said that it would be enough to win the match and said which of half a dozen swims it would have come from. Whilst I appreciate all that goes with the matches, the tackle shows, the local facilities etc but perhaps it is about time that it was reconsidered where these matches are held every bank holiday weekend. Surely these could be arranged just as well elsewhere. I know a number of people who go every year but are getting a little fed up with the poor fishing.

[TF_Waveney One]

By the way, my terrible weight on the Yare (last in the section!) would have put me 5th in their match. I was bream fishing and caught none, just roach and tiny skimmers. Next peg the section was won with 15lb 12 of small roach on the pole. The catching of roach on pole would have been much more interesting to watch than Dave Harrell, a great float angler, sitting it out on the tip.

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

I think there are financials to consider not just the fishing.
You are very lucky being close to the Yare. It’s the most consistently good river match fishery in the UK by a country mile.

[TF_Waveney One]

Yes, I am very lucky!

[TF_wightangler]

Don’t think anybody would deny Dave well well wishes his second championship success, given his all his hard work and continued enthusiasm and lobbying for match river fishing as well as legendary skills and record.

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