There is no doubting the effectiveness of the Method feeder. The concentration of a small pile of pellets or groundbait right next to the hookbait draws carp straight to it.
At times they can be quite easy to catch this way, but at others small tweaks are needed to make the difference and ensure that the bait is doing what it should. It’s well worth trying to get this aspect absolutely perfect.
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Stick together
The biggest mistake that I see being made is using pellets that are not sticky enough. The bait must stay on the feeder until it has touched down on the bottom – any bait that is jettisoned either as the feeder hits the water or as it sinks will draw fish away from the feeder and reduce your chances of catching.
I see this problem most often on venues that insist you use their own fishery pellets. These vary in their stickiness, and even the same brand of pellet can change from batch to batch.
Always start with some micro pellets in your feeder mix. Micros are easy to dampen to make them sticky, and compress together well so they can be readily packed on to the feeder. With most micros it’s simply a case of soaking them for a minute before draining off the water and giving them a minimum of 10 minutes to soak up the liquid until they have softened right through.
If you can squeeze a handful of pellets together with only light pressure then they are ready to use.
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Secret sauce
As the continuity of pellets isn’t guaranteed and they differ greatly, it’s always worth while experimenting with flavourings and liquids. There are lots of different liquids on the market that will flavour or colour your bait.
As some of these liquids can vary in consistency there are some that will even help to make your pellets that bit stickier, this will help give more control on how the bait sticks to the feeder throughout the session.
Don't ignore groundbait
Pellets will probably be the mainstay of your feeder bait throughout spring and summer, but don’t neglect groundbait. A sticky fishmeal-packed mix can be used on its own or combined with pellets to open up more options.
Groundbait tends to be better when there are fewer fish in your peg, as the wash from fish can spread it out too much, but it’s a brilliant way to bind stubborn pellets together. You also get a lot more attraction from the groundbait, which comes into its own on tough days when conditions are against you.
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What hookbaits?
On the really good days, when the fish are feeding hard, your hookbait can be almost irrelevant, but most of the time it’s worth having a few options with you to see which the fish prefer.
I tend to use a slightly larger pellet on the hook – say, a 6mm or 8mm pellet – when using 4mm pellets on the feeder.
A handful of bright hookbaits gives you plenty of options. I’ve been experimenting with using really small hookbaits, and these have definitely had the edge on tough days. Similarly, a bunch of dead maggots is a useful ploy, as long as the roach and bream aren’t too numerous.
If you find that the fish are only lightly hooked, or you are losing a few to hook-pulls, then try a wafter. These slow-sinking baits counteract the weight of the hook, and can put more fish in your net.
At first sight, the Method feeder can seem such a simple tactic, but there are plenty of nuances that can all add up and make a big difference. Get these right and you will see your catches soar!
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