How Steve May Broke The River Rother Barbel Record In Yorkshire

Sometimes the biggest stories come from the most unexpected places. Forget famous, packed-out fishing spots; a local angler has just shown that knowing your home turf is what really counts. On the 8th of September 2025, Steve May had a fishing session that didn't just make his day, but actually smashed a long-standing record on a quiet river in South Yorkshire. He proved that with the right tactics, even a lesser-known waterway can hold a truly giant fish, and in this case, a monster barbel.

The underdog river with a big secret

The River Rother isn't exactly a household name among anglers across the country. It's not the Trent or the Wye, where people travel hundreds of miles to fish. It's what's known as a 'low-stock venue'. That sounds a bit rubbish, but it just means there aren't thousands of fish packed into every stretch of the river. You can't just turn up and expect to catch loads. An angler really has to work for their reward here.

And that's what makes the sport on this waterway so special. Catching a big fish from a low-stock venue is a massive achievement. It shows skill, patience, and a deep understanding of the river and its inhabitants. For a local angler like Steve May, who lives just 10 minutes away, the River Rother is his patch. He knows its secrets, its moods, and, most importantly, where a big barbel might be hiding. This intimate Yorkshire venue has been the setting for some exceptional sport this season, all thanks to one man's dedication.

A day for the record books

Imagine heading out for a short fishing session, not expecting much, and ending up a local hero. That's pretty much what happened to Steve May. During one of his visits, he managed to land not one, but two huge fish. The first was a massive barbel weighing 13lb 10oz - a fish that would make any angler's year. But he wasn't done. He then hooked into an even bigger one. This second barbel tipped the scales at a whopping 14lb 8oz, a new river record for the Rother.

Breaking a record on any venue is a huge deal, but to do it on your local river is something else entirely. It's the culmination of all those hours spent figuring out the puzzle. That one fish rewrites the history books for that waterway and puts both the angler and the river on the map. It shows that persistence on a challenging Yorkshire river really does pay off. For Steve May, it was the catch of a lifetime and a testament to his successful approach to this tricky sport.

The tactics behind the triumph

So, how did he do it? It wasn't just a case of chucking some bait in and hoping for the best. Steve has a very specific way of fishing this low-stock river, and it's all about being active. He calls it 'hit and run' fishing. Instead of sitting in one spot for hours on end, he keeps on the move. He only spends around 45 minutes in any single spot before packing up and trying somewhere new. His total session time is often no more than four hours.

Why does this work so well? On a waterway where the fish are spread out, sitting and waiting for them to find you can take forever. By moving, Steve is actively seeking out the fish. He's covering more water and massively increasing his chances of dropping his hookbait right in front of a hungry barbel. It's a clever tactic for any angler fishing a venue where the bites are few and far between. It's about making your own luck, and for this particular angler, it resulted in a record-breaking fish.

Deconstructing the killer rig

Of course, finding the fish is only half the battle. You've got to have the right gear and bait to tempt them. Steve's setup is brilliantly simple but deadly effective. He's put all the pieces together to create a rig that a wary barbel just can't resist. Everything, from the hookbait to the hook itself, is chosen for a reason.

Here's a breakdown of the exact setup that caught the record fish:

• Hookbait: A pungent Vortex Baits Cocoon boilie. Boilies are little, hard-boiled balls of bait that release flavour into the water. A strong-smelling or 'pungent' one is great for getting the attention of a barbel, which uses its sense of smell to find food.
• Feed: A PVA mesh bag of pellets. Think of this as a tiny, dissolving bag of treats. Steve fills it with small pellets and attaches it to his hook. When it hits the riverbed, the bag melts, leaving a neat little pile of tasty pellets right next to his hookbait.
• Rig: A simple running rig. This is a classic setup where the mainline can slide freely through the weight. If a clever fish picks up the bait, it doesn't feel the heavy lead straight away, giving the angler more time to set the hook.
• Hooklink: An 18-inch fluorocarbon hooklink. This is the bit of line that connects the main line to the hook. Fluorocarbon is a special material that is almost invisible underwater, so it's less likely to spook a cautious fish.
• Hook: A size 10 hook. Not too big, not too small. It's the perfect size for presenting the Vortex Baits Cocoon boilie and strong enough to handle a powerful fighting fish like a huge barbel.

Every single part of this setup, from the smelly hookbait and the free pellets to the invisible fluorocarbon hooklink and the simple running rig, played a part in fooling that record barbel. It's a perfect example of how getting the small details right can lead to massive success in the sport of fishing.