Hillcrest Wine Estate Barbel

Hi

Has anyone attempted to catch or caught Barbel at Hillcrest in Durbanville? What baits and rigs work etc.

I have heard that it is rather difficult.

Just as a note for those who will go there.

I went this weekend and the Barbel are very fussy. They don't want chicken livers.

A frog or a small carp will work best. They appear to have an abundance of small fish to feed on.

BeachRunner wrote:

Just as a note for those who will go there.

I went this weekend and the Barbel are very fussy. They don't want chicken livers.

A frog or a small carp will work best. They appear to have an abundance of small fish to feed on.

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Shot! I have never been a fan of chicken livers and u are spot on with the mentioned baits. Always try and scout the dam to see what natural baits there are like craps, crickets, small fish and frogs.

bass heads.... i fished there a long time ago.... knew someone from there... fished under a float... the bottom is razor sharp quarry rocks.... lock and hold, if it makes the bottom you are stuffed.

There are some big ones in there, after a few hidings i used the blue marlin and speedmaster with .50, with a 500ml coke bottle and a bass head about 1m underneat it... got 1 out and still couldnt turn one away from the bottom.

Sounds like I will be heading there again soon, thanks guys.

Im going to give the Float a try too.

PS: The bass like lures that cause commotion. So deep diving lures with rattles and beads are a winner. I think poppers would work as well.