In this post I will
deal with each type of feeder in turn, hookbaits, rods, reels,
hooklengths and other matters will be dealt with separately in later
posts.
Types of Feeder
There are four basic
feeder types that I use: Method, Banjo, Pellet & Hybrid. Each
has its uses and, something I find strange, fish can display a
preference. On many occasions I have switched from being biteless on
one type to catching regularly with another.
At the end of this post
is a video link that shows Method, Pellet and Banjo feeders in water
discharging their contents. I have not included the Hybrid because I
see it as similar to the Banjo in use. A second video shows the
feeders being loaded with groundbait or pellets plus hookbait.
There is also the
consideration of whether your feeders should be elasticated or free
running. Because I fish many venues that ban elasticated feeders I
don't own any. That avoids confusion and mistakes. And to add to
the debate we have “safe” elasticated feeders that allow a fish
to drop the feeder if the mainline breaks. Some fisheries allow
these, others just ban all elasticated feeders whether “safe” or
not. Always check the water's rules.
As I don't use them I
cannot really comment on the benefits of elasticated feeders. And so
will not go into detail.
Various companies have
brought out quick change systems whereby you can switch from one type
or size of feeder to another in seconds without having to break the
rig down. I created my own quick change system and so have no great
experience of the various types on the market.
As a consequence of the
above I will talk about in line, ordinary feeders (not quick change
versions) to keep things simple and within my experience. Quick
change or not, free running or elasticated the basic ideas remain
the same.
Method
The first feeder
designed purely for carp fishing on commercial style waters. The
original Method feeders were quite crude being a frame around which a
large ball of groundbait was moulded and the hookbait incorporated
into the outer layer. These balls could be quite large and referred
to by some as “coconuts” with good reason.
The Original "Emstat" Method Feeders
The idea was that the carp would attack the groundbait on the feeder and eventually the hookbait was eaten either by choice or along with a mouthful of groundbait. In either case the weight of the feeder & remaining groundbait caused the hook to take hold and be driven in totally when the fish tried to swim away. This resulted in the now familiar “wrap round” bite.
Since those original
feeders The Method has been refined into the flat bed feeders we see
today. The idea is still the same, that the hookbait stays in a
parcel of groundbait until the feeder has settled on the bottom.
Depending on the make up of the groundbait it will either break down
fairly quickly leaving a pile with the hookbait visible or stay as a
tightly packed parcel that the carp need to attack to get at the
hookbait.
Flat Bed Method Feeders
Pellets can be used on
The Method feeder instead of groundbait and indeed there are times
when the fish show a preference for one or the other. The problem
with pellets is that unless tightly bound together they tend to
“explode” off the feeder as it hits the water. Underwater
filming has proved this happens. This explosion releases the pellets
and the hookbait and ruins the intention of having a pile of free
offerings with the hookbait buried in or laying on top of them. This
problem can be overcome to some extent by using a binder to hold the
pellets together, by using a brand of pellets that naturally bind
together tightly or by using a mix of groundbait & pellets.
One absolutely golden
rule in fishing The Method is that once it has dropped to the lake
bed it must not be moved unless a fish is hooked or it is retrieved
to re-cast. Care must be taken in tightening the rod tip to the
freshly cast feeder. Some will fish a slack line for this reason, as
well as trying to avoid line bites that may move the feeder. Moving
the feeder would ruin the intended presentation of hookbait and
groundbait/pellet pile in one discrete parcel.
Perfection?
I prefer to load the
feeder using a mould. Some people use the palm of their hand. The
groundbait can stick in the mould. The solution is to have the mould
in a plastic bag so that the plastic lays between groundbait and
mould. This way the plastic can be peeled off the groundbait if it
sticks.
I also “double skin” my Method feeder when loading. That is I put an initial loading of groundbait into the mould and press this into the feeder. I then load the mould again, place the hookbait on top and squeeze that load onto the feeder. This ensures the bait is buried but not fouling the ribs of the feeder.
Pellet Feeder
Developed, as the name
suggests, with the specific intention of being able to fish Method
style but with pellets (normally micros) as the attractant instead of
groundbait. I admit that the pellet feeder is my go-to Winter leger
method for commercials.
Different manufacturers
have slightly different styles but the basic principle is that the
feeder is shaped like a scoop. The bulk of the pellets are held
inside the feeder so that on splashing down they are not dislodged.
Once settled in the water the pellets expand and most of them push or
fall out of the feeder along with the hookbait.
Preston Pellet Feeders
To load the pellet
feeder I scoop up the micro pellets and compress these with my thumb
into the feeder. I then create a small well with index or little
finger in the top of the pellets in the feeder. The hookbait goes
into the depression made before I apply a further load of pellets and
compress these in place. I hope this ensures that when the pellets
expand and push the hookbait out it is laying on top of the pellet
pile.
Banjo
Probably my second
favourite feeder in the group as it is one I have had a lot of
success with. Named for its shape the Banjo provides a shallow sided
dish in which hookbait and, for me, pellets can be contained. The
idea being that like The Method you can deliver a small package of
free offerings with a hookbait inside. This is another feeder that
should not be moved once cast.
Banjo Feeder
I have never used
groundbait in a Banjo but I suppose there is no reason you shouldn't.
The hookbait is not always visible and thus would normally be
ingested by the fish when sucking up the pile of pellets. But there
are times the fish can prefer one bait over another. No, I cannot
fathom that out.
The way I load the
feeder is to place the baited hook in the body then cover with soaked
micro pellets and squeeze these down with my hand. I then add
another layer of pellets and press these in place with my thumbs. Do
not be afraid of pressing really hard. Surprisingly the pellets will
rebound once in the water.
For the following
explanation consider the circular body of the feeder as a clock face.
Mentally divide the clock into four quarter hours, 12-3, 3-6, 6-9,
9-12. I place my two thumbs in opposing quarters e.g. 12-3, 6-9 and
press. I then do the same with the other two quarters and repeat six
or seven times. The video shows this in action.
This is sufficient to
ensure the bait stays in the feeder until it has settled on the lake
bed.
Hybrid
As the name suggests
this is a combination of two feeder types, Method and Banjo. To be
honest I have never really worked out what is different about the
Hybrid from the Banjo other than the shape and some holes in the side
& base. It is probably a confidence thing but I have not yet had
any great success using a hybrid feeder. Use and loading are similar
to both the feeders it is hybridised from. So “Don't move the
feeder!” once settled.
Attaching the Feeder and Hooklength
With any form of inline
feeder the line passes through a central hollow stem. There will
then be a bead or swivel to stop the feeder from running down to the
hook. In the case of the quick change systems I mentioned the stem
is a separate item to the feeder body. One stem fits in the various
feeders in the range enabling the body to be swapped quickly and even
be replaced by a plain leger weight.
I created my own “quick
change” system before the commercial varieties were available. I
have stayed with it purely because the commercially made systems do
not include bodies of all four types I use. My system is simple and
employs the Drennan Method Connector. These connectors are made of a
central barrel with a hook at each end like a Stonfo elastic
connector and a sleeve that slides over the barrel to trap the line
in place on the hooks. One hook holds the main line, the other the
hooklength.
Drennan Method Connector
I tie a large loop in
the end of the main line, anything from four to six inches long. I
then pass this loop through the feeder stem and add the Method
Connector. It is then a case of adding the hooklength. To swap
feeders I only have to remove the mainline from the connector, pull
it out of the feeder, feed it through the new feeder and re-attach to
the connector and I am good to go.
It can be a little
fiddly getting the loop through the feeder stem as you need to
twizzle it in your fingers to make a small end to pass through the
tail rubber hole. If this is difficult then when tying the loop
leave a long tag end and use this to feed through the stem and pull
the loop through after.
Note re banjo feeders. You may need to add a bead between the connector and the feeder as the central part of the connector can just fit inside the stem of the banjo feeder. The bead prevents the connector from being pulled into the stem.
Note re banjo feeders. You may need to add a bead between the connector and the feeder as the central part of the connector can just fit inside the stem of the banjo feeder. The bead prevents the connector from being pulled into the stem.
As in all forms of legering using a free running feeder you need a way of stopping the feeder running all the way to the hook and also a way of connecting the hooklength. You could use a traditional swivel with a snap link for the hooklength. If bait spinning up and twisting the hooklength is a problem then this still is a suitable method. But today we have various quick change beads like the Drennan above. I think they all include some kind of hook and sleeve arrangement like a pole Stonfo. I prefer the Drennan's purely because they can be disconnected from both sides. Many other quick change beads have to be tied to the reel line.
I have also mentioned incorporating a bead above the connector or swivel purely as an added buffer for the feeder. It is personal choice whether to include one in your set up.
Videos
The following is a link to a YouTube video showing Method, pellet & banjo feeders discharging their contents in water. You can also see how the Method Connector is used.
The following shows how I load these feeders
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