Do you use a special reel for feeder fishing?

[larsagi2010]

I can't understand why people are going on about baitrunners, leaving the anti reverse off etc when feeder fishing. As far as I am aware feeder fishing usually involves using a quiver tip or swing tip so you watch the tip and strike when you get a pull round or drop back so any ordinary reel is suitable to use for feeder fishing.

I only seee the need for a baitrunner when specialist fishing with a bolt style set up and using more than one rod.

 

That is mainly the type of setup I have.

 

Normally 2 rods, but sometimes 3 of em all on Bolt-Rigs.... And due to the fact I take my two boys, 2 and 3 years old I often am reaching into the carrier bag for Biscuits or something, or seeing to one of them..... Also I notice most Carp take the baits when I am re-loading one of the other feeders

[Tigger]

Is that lift method or standard waggler? Do you know for sure that it's showing every bite?

 

Even though I'm convinced no float set-up can be as effective as a little bolt rig, I'm sure that the bolt-rigged bait gets picked up and spat out a lot too...

 

 

That's both waggler and the lift method Andrew. If set up sensitively enough both methods should register on the float as soon as a fish suck's in the bait. Float fishing is far more sensitive than ledgering...as you will already know.

[Anderoo]

That's both waggler and the lift method Andrew. If set up sensitively enough both methods should register on the float as soon as a fish suck's in the bait. Float fishing is far more sensitive than ledgering...as you will already know.

 

Definitely more sensitive - but definitely less effective.

[larsagi2010]

Is that lift method or standard waggler? Do you know for sure that it's showing every bite?

 

Even though I'm convinced no float set-up can be as effective as a little bolt rig, I'm sure that the bolt-rigged bait gets picked up and spat out a lot too...

 

I was watching a ''Winter Carp'' video a few weeks ago.

 

They were explaining that having a sensitive bite alarm (Ideally a vibration setting) is vital in the winter due to slow moving intelligent Carp. Especially when you are using the bolt rig. It also showed some examples using splitscreen of a Carp taking the bait, and the rod tip... It was quite impressive what the Carp could get away with without alerting the angler!

 

On one of them the Carp sucked in a 15mm Boilie, then proceeded to shake his head for about 8 seconds on the spot until the boilie fell out! The rod didn't even vibrate as the 5 inch hooklength gave the Carp more than enough line to freely try and eject the bait... What was nuts is the same Carp then recognised which one was the hookbait from his experience, and mopped up the 7-8 free Boilies which has been put in using PVA string around it!!!

 

With a little winter wind on the banks I imagine it would be solid to notice a reasonable portion of the ''Bigger'' carp bites....

 

They then went on to demonstrate the float. Although it makes it harder for the Carp to go undetected, the winter wind made subtle bites ones again more harder to spot. He was also saying the Carp prefer the deeper water on the bottom, and as most waters go deeper as you leave the margins, your float is also a fair distance away restricting vision of the float... A bigger float means more resistance, which means more dropped baits....

 

So they both do seem to have their pro's/con's

 

I personally prefer both methods equally! Although I do find I get more Carp on the bank using the Bolt Rig....

 

I now use, One bolt rig (Bite alarmed) and a float rig in summer or (bearable weather), And two Bolt rigs in winter when I prefer to cast two rods out, and keep toasty while the indicators do the work... It also enables me to enjoy the surroundings a little more as I have the freedom to look away from the rods at times.

[Tigger]

Definitely more sensitive - but definitely less effective.

 

 

I'd say the float is more effective when fishing 40 to 50ft out (maybe more) and ledger has the edge at distance.

[Anderoo]

The 'beauty' of the little bolt rigs is there's nothing sensitive about it! Add to that a PVA bag and you have the reason so many people catch so many fish these days. You still have to put it in the right place (unless the place is stuffed with fish, as many are) but it takes way less skill and effort to catch with the bolt rigs than the float. So, more effective, less skillful in my opinion

[Barry C]

I do lots of all day sessions for bream in the summer (16 + hours) prefering to use the quivertip and feeder. I use a small Okuma baitrunner so if I want a pee a leg stretch or a brew I can just flip the baitrunner on and no fear of losing my rode.

[Tigger]

The 'beauty' of the little bolt rigs is there's nothing sensitive about it! Add to that a PVA bag and you have the reason so many people catch so many fish these days. You still have to put it in the right place (unless the place is stuffed with fish, as many are) but it takes way less skill and effort to catch with the bolt rigs than the float. So, more effective, less skillful in my opinion

 

 

Don't forget the venues substrate, weeds etc making it difficult or even impossible to fish a ledger but no problem with the float. Even a silty bottom is often difficult to fish properly with the ledger but again no problem when fishing the float . I know I'm repeating myself but I think the float is more effective at close range, and without question much more fun .

I do know some waters where you've literally no chance of much action with a ledger.

[Andy Macfarlane]

This is true of most weeds I suppose but on the water we fish, the whole place is covered with that horrible cotton wool-like algae. We met quite a knowledgeable type who fishes the water with the float. When I told him we had been using method feeders he told us they wouldn't work but we haven't had any bother using flat-sided 28gram method feeders. I reckon they must just sit on top of this stuff quite nicely. Even when bringing baits in, there's little or no weed covering the tackle. I dare say if was to use a bomb of any description, it would bury right in. Float works but it's not a patch on the method feeders.

[Andy Macfarlane]

You say that but we go from Dawn till Dusk and very often stay overnight. If you can watch a quiver the whole time, you're a better man than me.