METHOD FEEDER FISHING
By Anthony Wood
People quite often assume that because I own Homemadeboilies that I only fish with boilies. However, I also make my own particle mixes, groundbaits, method mixes and many more things.

Why is this rod my favourite rod? Well it is strong enough to handle the average commercial fisheries carp (12lb is my biggest so far on it) but it also has a soft enough action to make it enjoyable playing the smaller species that may decide they like your bait. It has a shorter butt section which makes it easier to move it around when your doing the feed, cast, feed technique most associated with feeder fishing.

I usually pair this up with a mini bait-runner loaded with 6-8lb mainline, just in case I get a bigger fish that I need to let run quickly.

My favourite method bait though is small luncheon meat balls I make with my bellballcutter.
First up is the fishy method mix…
50% Fine Breadcrumb
20% Pallatrax Fishmeal Base Mix
15% Haith’s Crushed Hemp Seed
15% Spottedfin Halibut Supercrush
Now the sweeter method mix…
50% Fine Breadcrumbs
20% Pallatrax Multiworm Base Mix
15% Haith’s Crushed Hemp Seed
15% Lactalbumin
For both of these method mixes I use the same liquid mix to make them up and that is…
50% Water
40% Molasses
7% FeedStimulants Liquid Fruit Amino Compound
3% FeedStimulants SuperStim
You could also use small pellets to make a method mix and that is done by filling a large maggot box half full of small pellets, pour boiling water over them and allow them to soak for 2 minutes. Now drain them off and they should stick together nicely on the method feeder.


If you tie a size 10 swivel onto the other end of the hair and then tie that to the mainline, you should find that the swivel fits just snugly enough to give a bolt action effect to the rig.

The second way to load the method feeder is to put a layer of your method mix in the mould, then place the hookbait in the mould, fill the mould with your method mix and again press the method feeder down on top. This method buries the hookbait slightly and makes the fish work harder for the bait, good for if bites aren’t coming quickly as it encourages feeding.

Now it’s time to sit on your hands, you are hopefully going to get lots of little knocks and twitches on your rod tip as the fish peck away at the method mix. Wait until your rod tip swings right round before lifting into the take.
For the first hour you will want to try and recast about every 10 minutes but once the fish are biting start to time how long it takes to get a bite and go by that. If the fish are biting every 5 minutes recast every 5 minutes you don’t get a bite if they are biting every 10 minutes, well you get the idea.

The rod is sensitive enough to register even the smallest fish but lets you enjoy the fight whatever size fish you hook into.
Method feeder fishing is one of those style of fishing that is so enjoyable but it seems to get lost in modern fishing as most people these days want to have 3lb rods and try to catch huge carp.
If you get chance, I highly recommend just going back to a simple relaxing way of fishing and just for a session or two forget about those giant beasties and enjoy fighting the smaller fish for a change it might just make you enjoy your fishing more.


If you fancy giving feeder fishing a go, I can personally recommend this rod as it really is value for money and a brilliant bit of kit.
Guru Reaper Multi Positional Specialist Feeder Rest
£12.29 in stock
2 new
from £12.29
Amazon.co.uk
as of 18th January 2021 3:28 pm
Features
Part Number | GRPF |
Model | GRPF |
Color | Default |
Is Adult Product | |
Size | Front |
2 x CKR30 Black Fishing Reels Loaded with 6LB Line For Coarse Match Lake River
£16.55
in stock
8 new
from £16.55
Amazon.co.uk
as of 18th January 2021 3:28 pm
Features
- 2 x Fishing Reel Pre-loaded with 8lb line
- Ideal for a number of different fishing methods, from float & feeder fishing for small carp to spinning on the rivers for trout and game fish.
- Rear drag reel
- - Line Capacity (mm/m) - 0.25/245, 0.30/170, 0.35/125 - Line Capacity (lbs/yds) - 6/270, 10/185, 12/135
- Made By NGT
Fjuka 2in1 Bait - 3 bag pack white, yellow, red. The soft feed pellet that’s a perfect hookbait.
£5.49
in stock
Amazon.co.uk
as of 18th January 2021 3:28 pm
Features
- This feed pellet is also the perfect soft hookbait.
- Hooks perfectly with total hook-hold - no need for drills, spikes or bands
- Sensate Attractors for instant action
- Combines, molds and shapes to any form
- Imitates worms, maggots, corn, bread etc
Everpert SAMS 20 X Quick Change Beads Camo Hooklength for Carp Fishing Feeder
£5.59
in stock
2 new
from £5.49
Free shipping
Amazon.co.uk
as of 18th January 2021 3:28 pm
Features
- Ideal for bomb and carp feeder fishing
- The connector bead is ideal to quickly change hook lengths / hooklength
- It also acts as a buffer bead / shock bead when used in conjunction with a swimfeeder
- Perfect running and stillwater using swimfeeders or ledger weights
- When used it can be made without any the traditional metal swirl and also tie a knot
TFG TF GEAR COMPACT ALL-ROUNDER ROD
£59.99
in stock
Amazon.co.uk
as of 18th January 2021 3:28 pm
Features
- any water with any technique, with just one rod!
- light feeders on lakes: just the job
- heavy wagglers for carp: you bet
- delicate float fishing for silver fish: this rod does the lot
- Supplied with 3 quiver tips + extension section for 8 to 10ft conversion