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How to ‘finesse’ the pellet feeder
Rob Wootton explains why a little twist to an old classic can bring big results
by Angling Times |
Updated on25th April 2022 at 5.32pm
(Picture credits: Match Focus)
In an age dominated by Method and Hybrid feeders, it’s a shame that other ways of fishing the tip for carp and F1s have been largely forgotten – I’m talking about maggot and, more specifically, pellet feeders.
<strong>I think many anglers see no need to fish the pellet feeder</strong>
I think many anglers see no need to fish the pellet feeder when they can catch plenty on the Method, and they’re partly right – but the very positive style of fishing that the Method brings with it isn’t always right every time. For example, there are days when you’re faced with a lake full of F1s and smaller stockie carp that aren’t always going to feed in the gung-ho fashion that big carp do. This scenario demands a little more in the way of finesse, and this is where the pellet feeder can come into play.
<strong>A pellet feeder is deadly for targeting small carp and F1s</strong>
Keep it small
There’s no need to go mad with bait, so I use a tiny 20g inline Middy Wedge pellet feeder. If I want to add more feed, I’ll do it by loosefeeding some pellets over the top.
<strong>Keep it small</strong>
The perfect pellet
3mm Dynamite Baits Swim Swims are perfect. I prepare them just as I would for use on the Method feeder, leaving them dampened but not so wet that they won’t eject.
<strong>The perfect pellet</strong>
Load up!
Filling a pellet feeder is similar to a Method. Add some pellets, then the hookbait and hook and then more pellets to seal it in. Compress the pellets very gently, though.
<strong>Load up!</strong>
Banded pellet is best
Dead maggots can be good, but you can’t beat pellets. I use a 4mm hard pellet so it stands out to a fish and I pop them in a small latex pellet band that’s slipped on to the hook.
<strong>Banded pellet is best</strong>
Short hooklengths
The pellet feeder works well with very short hooklengths of 2ins-3ins. In terms of diameters, 0.12mm or 0.14mm Middy Lo-Viz is a good choice, matched to a size 16 hook.
<strong>Short hooklengths</strong>
Leave some room
If there’s an island, don’t start too tight to it. Begin by landing the feeder a couple of metres away in the deeper water, then creep closer as the day warms up and the fish move in.
<strong>Leave some room</strong>
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