If you own a pole and intend to fish at 13m or less, you’re unlikely to ever consider a rod-and-line attack.
The feeder is typically reserved for longer range work on commercials, but there are plenty of instances when it can be the best choice if you aim to catch close to the bank.
There are several benefits to using it, chief of which is pinning down the rig at the business end to drastically reduce line bites and all but eliminate foul hooking.
While most of the principles that you’ll have worked with previously will apply, there are a few other things to consider before getting down to business with this underrated feeder approach.
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PICK OF THE BEST SHORT FEEDER RODS IN THIS BUYERS GUIDE.
Use the right quivertip
Use a reasonably light tip when fishing the feeder at short range. A 1oz or 1.5oz version is ideal, as this will enable you to spot every indication, including subtle liners that will help you build up a picture of how many fish are in front of you. While soft, it is still stiff enough to enable you to cast a fully loaded Method feeder with pinpoint accuracy.
THE BEST CARP FEEDER RODS ARE GREAT FOR SHORT RANGER FEEDER WORK.
Don’t go too light
You could be forgiven for thinking that you should always use the lightest feeder available, but there are times when going slightly heavier is best. If you are fishing on a slope against an island, or to the far bank of a snake lake, a heavier version will grip better and won’t roll down it. A 30g Preston Innovations ICM Method is the ideal tool.
GET THE BEST OUT OF THE METHOD FEEDER WITH THESE EXPERT METHOD FEEDER TIPS.
Always use a butt rest
Having only 12m-25m of mainline off the reel means there is little room for forgiveness, and the bites you get are bound to be savage! It pays, therefore, to always use a rest to grip the butt of your rod. Without one, you increase the chances of the rod being dragged in by a big fish that charges off at pace while you are caught unawares.
CHECK OUT OUR PICKS OF THE BEST SEATBOX ACCESSORIES.
Rotate your baits
You are likely to catch from the off when fishing at short range at this time of year, but bites will drop off after a blistering start. This isn’t because the fish have vanished, but because they are wising up to the trap. Rotate between micro pellets and groundbait on the frame, and between dead maggots, mini boilies and wafters on the hook.
THE BEST FISHING REELS HAVE DRAG SYSTEMS IDEAL FOR SHORT RANGE FEEDER FISHING.
