Feeder fishing
Rigs, feeders, pellets and baits for a feeder fishing session with Molino baits
Feeder fishing is a fishing technique that relies on the combined and simultaneous action of the bait and a paster (feeder) placed in close proximity. The feeder can be filled with bait, pellets, chum or other types of bait and placed along the line (inline or drift) before the terminal. The bait can be presented in the immediate vicinity of the feeder or hidden within it.
Mounts for feeder fishing
The rigs that are usually used to attach the baitfish to the line are distinguished between inline or drift rigs.
In the inline rig the line passes through the baitfish, which is secured before the terminal by a bead (stopper) and swivel.
In drift rigging, on the other hand, whether we use the hair rig or paternoster rig technique, the baitfish is attached to the line by a small ring placed on the apex of the baitfish itself (basically it is "hung" on the line). With the hair rig, the baitcaster can be left free to run along the parent line, possibly restricting its movement with an additional stopper placed upstream. With the paternoster rig technique, on the other hand, we go to splitting the line with a crimping of the end line, to attach the hook and the baitcastor at the two different ends, leaving the former free to float around our feeder.
A considerable advantage of the drift rig is the possibility of using an anti-tangle to prevent the terminal from tangling with the baitcastor during casting due to the latter's increased weight. The anti-tangle is essentially a small angled plastic tube in which to slide the line and to which to attach the bait directly, and its function is to keep the hook and bait trajectories separate during casting.
Online feeders for feeder fishing
The main types of inline feeders are definitely the method feeder and the pellet feeder. The method feeder is a fully open feeder against which small-sized flours or pellets are usually compressed through a mold. The pellet feeder, on the other hand, has a more containable shape and lends itself to accommodating moistened pellets or bait that go to form a surface plug closing the structure until they dissolve in the water.
Drift baiters for feeder fishing
Of the many types of drift feeders for feeder fishing, the most common are probably the block-end feeder, open-end feeder, and cage-feeder. block-end feeder are usually cylindrical feeders, closed at the ends (sealed on one side, on the other through a cap that can be opened to fill the feeder), with holes on the sides for releasing the bait. In contrast to closed feeders, open-end feeders are open at the ends and facilitate the dispersal of the bait (which, however, must usually be moistened in order to be contained by the feeder). cage-feeders are a special type of open-end feeder with a cage, so they are even more airy and suitable for dispersing the bait quickly.
Feeder fishing equipment
In addition to the most suitable feeder for your fishing needs, approaching a feeder fishing trip will require a specific equipment kit. First, a feeder rod with a smooth action and strong line (since we will be forced to make a large number of continuous casts). A reel between 3000 and 6000, a feeder arm attached to the chair on which to rest the rod or a rod pod in case you decide to fish with two rods. Also not to be missed are a bench or carry bag for small parts, seeds for mixing and kneading bait, containers and sieve for bait, waders and mats in case of carp fishing. Of course, last but not least, our deadliest pastures and a good selection of pellets for fishing.
Pellets and bait for feeder fishing
The pellets that we are going to insert into the baitstock can generally range in diameter from 2 mm to 6 mm and are characterized by great absorbing power. On the contrary, the trigger pellets that we might use near the hook will be much stiffer, able to maintain a good consistency even after 30 minutes in the water. As diameters for trigger pellets we go from 8 to 20 mm. As for flavors and fragrances, both of pellets and of baits, there is plenty to do: betaine, garlic, mint, krill, halibut, spice mix, hemp, panettone, corn and you name it. If you then want to make an even more deadly bait, you can use one of the many liquid flavors that you can also find in the appropriate section of our shop, which are fantastic for intensifying the attractive power of the pellet and baiting even the most selective fish.
Preparation of bait for feeder fishing
When we use bait during a feeder fishing trip, we have to keep in mind that the fish will have to find the bait in the vicinity of the bait and the bait will have to arrive intact on the bottom without dispersing excessively in the water column. Conversely, once it arrives at its destination, it will have to disperse according to the expected timing for the type of fishing trip we had in mind. Therefore, when we go to moisten our bait, it will be necessary to pursue a balance between the two requirements, so as to achieve the desired dispersal effect.
Preparing pellets for feeder fishing
Many anglers recommend leaving the pellets to soak in water for as many minutes as the millimeters in diameter of the pellet itself. Another system involves completely covering the pellets with water, regardless of diameter, and letting them soak until they have absorbed all the liquid. A third method involves soaking the pellets in a food envelope for one minute. Then you drain the water and freeze the whole thing. The night before the fishing trip, you thaw the bag, and on the morning of the fishing trip you revive the pellets with a few sprays of water. The latter procedure is indicated in case of further flavoring of the pellets.
