Fish the feeder on commercial stillwaters today and you basically have a choice between an elasticated or an inline pattern. They differ in the way the feeder is connected to the mainline.
Elasticated versions sees the hooklength and mainline attached at either end of a piece of strong elastic running through the middle of the feeder, while an inline allows the feeder to run along the mainline, stopped by a quick-change bead in the base.
Feeder choice won’t affect how many fish you hook, or how well you see bites, but it may prevent fish losses. When a fish is close to the net it will be thrashing about and the hook can easily pull without the shock-absorbing qualities of elastic. That’s why, if possible, I always use elasticated feeders.
Some fisheries, though, still don’t allow you to use an elasticated feeder, leaving you with just the one option. If you have to use an inline feeder, you just need to be a little more careful when it comes to netting fish!
Give it a go...
Beat hook-pulls
If a carp shakes its head under the rod-tip, the chances of a hook-pull are greatly reduced when using an elasticated feeder.
Make quick changes
With an elasticated X-Safe feeder I can quickly change the whole rig – feeder, bait and all. With an inline feeder this would be much slower.
Inline alternative
Elasticated feeders not allowed? A soft-actioned rod will absorb lunges from fish that would normally be soaked up by the elastic.
Change your stems
Feeder stems aid stability when casting. For long chucks, I use the longest stem. To cast 20 yards to an island the shortest will do.
