Keeping barbel in your swim on a big river can be a tough game to play – but this unique feeding device will ensure they stay rooted to your spot time after time.
The sinking Spomb, also known as the Spopper, is the brainchild of entrepreneur Christophe Pelhate, and is an adaptation of the popular feeding device commonly used in carp fishing.
Its weighted head and pin release system is unique in that it allows the Spomb to sink to the bottom of your swim and deposit your bait accurately – even if you’re fishing at distance and into really deep water.
Chris has already sold 250 prototypes and drawn interest from Dai Gribble, Phil Smith and Des Taylor – all of whom have seen their catch rates increase with the help of the Spopper.
Chris told Angling Times: “It’s a game changer. You simply can’t cast a bait dropper as far as you can the Spopper.
“As it’s an adapted Spomb the device is already aerodynamic and casting accuracy is improved with the weight, but it’s also hydrodynamic – it will sink quickly through the water and release the payload with incredible accuracy.”
The Spopper has been so successful that the team at Spomb are now in the process of making their own version which will be hitting to the shelves soon – but for the time being, Angling Times joined up with Chris and top River Trent angler Brett Longhorne to put the Spopper through its paces.
Prototypes of the Spopper are available from SFUK but there is a waiting list. For more information please call 02476 239 650 or visit
ON THE BUTTON
To demonstrate the prowess of the Spopper we met at the famous peg 1A at Collingham Weir on the Trent, where Brett was waiting to introduce his first drop of feed.
In a bucket he had a mixture of sloppy groundbait, hemp, chopped boilies and pellets, and this moulded into the dome-like cups of the Spopper perfectly.
He then closed the two domes together and pressed the pin system back through the hole in the plastic – it was ready for casting. Using a heavy-duty spod rod and a reel loaded with braid, Brett cast the Spopper out into the main flow and within seconds the device sank, hit the clean gravel on the deck and released its contents.
In the space of five minutes Brett had laid down 10 payloads of bait and each hit its mark, leaving him confident in the knowledge his bait was being deposited in a specific area and not being washed away downstream.
Over this feed he fished two rods – one with groundbait and maggots in a feeder and the other with pellets.
The results spoke for themselves as bites came thick and fast and barbel between 4lb and 12lb fell to his hookbaits placed over a big bed of feed at distance.
Chris concluded: “The proof is in the pudding. There’s just no way you can accurately introduce that much feed at that distance with a catapult, a throwing stick or a bait dropper.
“The bonus is that the Spopper can be used on lakes, in the sea, indeed any body of water with a hard bottom.”
- Cast a 2oz-3oz lead around your swim to find areas of clean gravel or deeper holes where the barbel may be holding up. Use measuring sticks so you can clip your rods up to the same distance.
- The Spopper is heavy when filled with bait, so a strong spod rod is needed to cast it. Couple this with a big pit reel loaded with 50lb braid and you’re good to go.
- Press down on the pin to open the Spopper and begin loading it with your feed.
- Close the two domes and pull the pin back through the hole to lock the Spopper. It is now ready to cast.
- Use appropriate force for the distance you are casting. Before the Spopper hits its mark, pull the rod up sharply and this will create a slack line. This will help the Spopper sink vertically to the bottom.