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Top 10 Feeder Fishing Tips – with Ade Kiddell
In this article, Ade Kiddell shares some of his top feeder fishing tips to try when match fishing or coarse angling.
For many years, feeder fishing was seen as a ‘chuck it and chance it’ method of fishing, but more recently, feeder fishing has become very popular with many top anglers. The quality of tackle now available for feeder fishing is incredible, if you have never tried it or want to improve here are some top tips to help.
What is Feeder Fishing?
Feeder fishing is an ideal way to attract carp and other species, with a generous amount of bait that can easily be placed in areas which are otherwise inaccessible. This style of angling will ensure the waters where you fish remain full and brimming with life - perfect for avid fishermen!
1. Feeder Fishing Videos
Make use of the thousands of fishing videos available on Youtube made for beginner feeder fishing to expert tutorials. In a good feeder fishing video, you can pick up the latest information and techniques from the top anglers.
2. Simple Feeder Fishing Rigs
Make any feeder rigs you use as simple as possible. The more complicated the fishing rig, the more there is a risk of a problem.
The running rig is a favourite among coarse anglers given its effortless assembly and successful results! All you need to make one are a feeder, small bead, hooklength line and hook - simple as that. It's no wonder why they're so popular for feeder fishing.
More feeder rigs can be found in our feeder fishing article.
3. What Feeders Do I Need for Fishing?
Feeders are a piece of baiting equipment, usually found within the terminal tackle selection. They are used with fresh live bait, bait mixes or pellets and are an effective method for delivering a large amount of bait that can't be reached by traditional methods like throwing sticks or catapults.
Plus, a feeder allows anglers to keep fish in the same spot for longer periods – maximizing your chances of reeling in some serious catches! Be sure to carry a wide selection of feeders in sizes, weights and designs. The top anglers carry a huge selection often changing feeders several times as a session develops.
Shop all Feeders for feeder fishing, here.
4. Best Rod for Feeder Fishing
When it comes to feeder fishing, try to use a fishing rod with interchangeable quiver tips. The ability to swap out what quiver you are using can seriously help to improve bite indication. Feeder anglers should try to use the lightest tip they can.
Shop all Fishing Rods for Feeder Fishing
5. Best Line for Feeder Fishing
If you want an amazing day of feeder fishing, make sure your setup is up for the task! To improve bite indication use a braid mainline with a mono leader. For starters, a robust and reliable main line strength should be somewhere around 0.22mm (6lb to 8lb). That way you won't have any worries as you are making well over 200 casts throughout the day. I use the Preston Absolute Feeder Braid.
6. How To Clean Fishing Line
Before fishing always gives your reel line a spray with a soapy water solution. It is super important to clean your fishing line for your reel as its stops tangles and improves casting and helps to sink the line.
7. How To Position Your Rod for Feeder Fishing
When feeder fishing, make sure to angle your rod in a way that will allow you to stay connected with the fish. After all, being able to feel and see every bite helps ensure success! Use a rod rest designed for feeder fishing, avoid deep rod rests it will make striking at bites much harder.
8. How do you mix groundbait for feeder?
Make sure your groundbait is mixed correctly, too wet and it sticks in the feeder too dry and it leaves the feeder too early.
Watch Angling Direct’s tutorial for mixing groundbait below!
9. Fish Accurately for Success
Use a lead to plumb up your swim when you first arrive at your peg, look out for weedy areas and any depth changes in your peg. Once you have found your spot, use your reels line clip to ensure you cast to the same spot. All the top anglers then use distance sticks to measure the length of the cast accurately, anytime you need to change your rig or get a tangle, you can easily go back to your distance sticks and reset your original distance. Accuracy is key to feeder fishing.
10. What tackle do I need for feeder fishing?
In winter use the same methods and techniques but just scale everything down a little in hook size, feeder size and the amount you feed.
Expert Advice on Feeder Fishing
Something I learnt from the world championships for feeder fishing from the top anglers:
- Don’t cut corners
- Spend lots of time preparing bait, rigs and tackle
- On arrival at a peg, set up, then plumb up
- Little tweaks throughout the session
- Changing feeders to control what & how much is fed.
There’s no chuck it and chance it, feeder fishing is a very productive method get out and enjoy it and catch some fish. Do not just take my word for it! Give it a try yourself!