The Best Hybrid-style Feeders

The Best Hybrid-style Feeders

by Dan Webb |
Updated on

When the method feeder first came onto the scene, it revolutionised the way we fished a feeder for a whole host of species, by creating an accurate pile of bait in conjunction with a bolt rig. For a while it was unbeatable on many fisheries up and down the country, but as time progressed and ideas changed, companies started to update the original version into what we now know as a Hybrid feeder. Guru named their feeder the Hybrid, but anglers have taken the name to refer to any feeder of similar construction: Banjo feeder, Method bomb, call them what you will, they all work on the same principle

This style of feeder works similar to a Method but they have raised sides, to not only protect your bait from breaking apart on impact with the water but to also keep your hookbait inside the feeder. This means it is always in the best position to be picked up by a fish. These feeders are very much favoured in cooler water, where bites are at a premium and anglers need the confidence their "trap" is set as good as it can be.

The best Hybrid-style feeders at a glance...

Best All-Round Hybrid Feeder - Guru Hybrid Feeder - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

Best Hybrid-style Feeder For Specimen Anglers - Korum Dura Method - View offer on Fishing Tackle and Bait

Best Hybrid-style Feeder For Presentation - MAP Embed Feeder - View offer on Fishing Tackle and Bait

Best Hybrid-style Feeder For Distance Casting - Preston ICS XR Banjo Feeder - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

There are lots of various versions to choose from on the market, all with their own little modifications to help your bait react in a certain way or hold your hookbait in prime position for an unsuspecting fish. Some have slightly different weight loading for distance casting, while others have perforated undersides to allow the bait to release quickly when you're catching really well. Whichever you choose, we have a guide here to show you some of the best available, all capable of catching you lots of fish...

Best fishing accessory (2023 National Angling Awards Winner)

These front weight-loaded, easy casting, lead-free alloy Hybrid style feeders have a unique feature in the form of a line-friendly rubber line clip that is situated towards the rear and side area of the feeder body.

The clip traps the line to ensure that your bait is held in place not only during the cast, but also as your feed breaks down in the water, ensuring ultimate hookbait presentation at all times. Once a fish has taken the bait and is hooked, the line easily and safely releases every time from the hooklength clip.

The Embed Feeder’s deep body and sides hold plenty of feed and prevent premature spillage on to the lakebed, while the angled vents along the bottom of the feeder base protect the payload on impact with the water, still allowing for water ingress and a guaranteed breakdown and quick release of feed. The removable stem configuration makes them fishable inline and, as a running rig, they are compatible with all MAP stems.

Available in small, medium and large sizes, with weights from 24g to 42g.

Pros

  • Unique clip holds bait in position.
  • Well designed for casting.

Cons

  • Occasionally the clip can be a little tight to start with.

Best all-round hybrid-style feeder

The most famed flatbed feeder out there, the Guru Hybrid Feeder is dead easy to load, allows fast breakdown of the bait thanks to strategically placed slots/holes, and can be used both inline or elasticated thanks to the removable stems. The X-Safe elasticated stems have a release mechanism built in which means a fish won’t remain tethered to the feeder, should the mainline break.

The feeders also benefit from a weight forward design, which not only helps them cut through the air for longer casting, it helps you to remain accurate even in windy conditions. The updated one piece alloy construction makes these feeder incredibly durable, there is nothing to break, so no matter how much punishment you give them, they will be ready when you are to catch the next fish. They are also finished in a speckled camo pattern, if this makes a difference we aren't sure, but the amount of fish these feeders account for, maybe it does!

Pros

  • One piece design, almost indestructible.
  • Weight forward design for accurate, long casting.

Cons

  • They don't come with a bead.
Sizes available: Mini - 18g, Small - 24g, 36g, Medium - 32g, 42g, Large - 28g, 45g, 55g

Best hybrid-style feeder for distance casting

This latest incarnation of the Preston ICS XR Banjo Feeder is a mix of alloy and plastic, giving them the ideal weight distribution for accurate flight, maximum distance and best presentation on the bottom. Both inline and elasticated stems are available, and a slot in the feeder allows you to quickly swap feeders without tackling down, great if you have feeders already loaded ready to cast or changing ready made rods to allow for fishery rules.

A quick release spring-loaded mould ensures the feeder will be loaded perfectly every time, its probably the most user friendly mould on the market, so if you like to fill you feeder with a mould these are deifinitley a great choice.

Pros

  • Great mould.
  • Slots in the side allow for fast bait breakdown, great if you're catching well.

Cons

  • The plastic isn't as durable as a full alloy version.
Sizes: Small - 20g, 30g, 45g, Medium - 20g, 30g, 45g, 60g, 75g, Large - 20g, 30g, 45g, 60g, 75g

Best hybrid-style feeder for accurate casting

These Matrix Open Alloy Feeders have been designed to ensure all the possible problems that come with fishing a feeder like this are eliminated. The feeders are slotted, so they can be swapped without having to re-tackle, the inline tubes can also be replaced with elasticated versions, which are available separately. Slots and holes ensure quick bait release, while a tapered weight-down design ensures they always fly straight and true.

Whilst the shape is tailored towards user friendly casting, the raised front also acts as a guard to protect the bait from the impact of the water to ensure it gets to the bottom how you want it to. The feeders come with the quick beads provided, so all you have to do is attach a hooklength and you're fishing. The one piece alloy design makes these feeders as robust as possible, so they will be ready to take on any session.

Pros

  • One piece alloy design for durability.
  • Raised front protects bait on impact.

Cons

  • The weight at the front does limit the amount of bait you can get on the feeder.
Sizes available: Small - 15g & 25g, Medium - 30g & 40g, Intermediate - 20g, 30g, Large - 30g & 45g.

Best hybrid-style feeder for prolific fisheries

The Drennan Method Bomb is about as simple as it gets – just thread your line through the feeder and attach the provided connector bead. No other purchase is required, apart from a hooklength. The connector beads are great too, they lightly grip the feeder which gives for an ultra-safe semi-fixed rig, giving much better chances of a fish being hooked when it takes the bait, before sliding out to prevent the fish using the feeder to shake the hook. There is a recess at the base of the feeder to allow the hooklength to be folded back without risk of damaging it and to help keep it in place for longer.

These feeders are quick to load and quick to release the payload once in the water thanks to the slots in the base, ideal for shallower water and for when those bagging days are on the cards, when the fish want lots of bait and attack the feeder. They also cast really well thanks to the streamlined and weight-down design.

Pros

  • Easy to use feeder.
  • Vents are great for bagging days.

Cons

  • Not the best for deep water.
Sizes: Mini - 25g, Small - 30g, Medium - 35g, Large - 45g

Best hybrid-style feeder for ease of loading

The Cresta Accelerate Easy Fill Feeders have been designed to be easy to fill without the need for a mould, to make the whole process more user friendly and streamlined for the angler, with the intention of maximising the time spent in the water.

The sides have large vents slotted into them to allow the fast breakdown of the bait on the feeder, hopefully leading to a quicker bite. The central plastic tube creates a quick change system, so you can swap between them during a session without breaking down your rod. The tall side design not only enables you to fill the feeder easily, it protects the bait on impact and helps to keep your hookbait in place for the longest amount of time possible.

Pros

  • Easy to fill without a mould.
  • Fast breakdown design.

Cons

  • Not widely available.
Sizes: Small - 15g, 25g, Medium - 25g, 35g, Distance - 35g, 45g

Best hybrid-style feeder for fishing on slopes

The Middy Gripper Flatbed Method Feeder works exceptionally well when cast to islands, margins or features. The contoured, stepped lead on the underside stops them slipping down even steep shelves and reduce the chances of line bites pulling the feeder out of place. They also come in packs of two, handy when one invariably ends up in a tree.

The Compacta Mould has a one-handed plunger design that is dead easy to use, even with cold wet hands, and can be used with some other brands of feeder too.

Pros

  • Gripped underside to prevent the feeder moving.
  • The mould is excellent.

Cons

  • Protection for bait is limited.

Best hybrid-style feeder for specimen anglers

As the name suggests, the Korum Dura Method Feeder is built for strength and durability, so no matter how demanding the session or how many times you use it, it will be ready to go again. As a lot of specimen anglers have begun to adopt the match style feeder approach, Korum have developed this feeder to be a little bigger and take a bit more bait, perfect when targeting lager fish or leaving the feeder out overnight.

Featuring a camo finish, the feeder has bars located on the outer edge (known as the Impact Shield) rather than through the middle like a normal Method feeder, allowing the bait to be protected on the cast and providing the ability for the use of larger particle baits in the mix or a larger hookbait to be nestled inside. They come supplied with two in each pack and you can buy a really useful, easy to use mould, separately, should you want to use one.

Pros

  • Ideal range for specimen anglers.
  • Imapact Shield protects the bait and allows the use of a larger hookbait.

Cons

  • The bait doesn't release very quickly.
Size: One Size - 30g, 45g, 60g

Best adaptable hybrid feeder

Daiwa N'Zon Weight Change Feeders
Price: £3.50

The Daiwa N'Zon weight change feeder are an innovative new take on the hybrid style feeder. Incorporating Daiwa's Easy Change System (ECS) and a new add weight feature that enables anglers to add addition 5g and 10g in weight to the nose of the feeder to aid casting distance.

The feeders have an aerodynamic design, to help cut through the air efficiently to improve casting performance. Finished in a rubberised camo finish and manufactured using a lead free zinc alloy these feeders are hard wearing and durable. The finish also benefits from being non stick in nature so bait is less likely to become stuck in the feeder.

Pros

  • Aerodynamic desing helps aid casting distance
  • Unique weight change system that allows 5g & 10g to be added to any feeder making it front heavy

Cons

  • Lacks options to change stem length

What to look for in a Hybrid-style feeder

Most of the feeders made into the style in this guide all work on a very similar principle, an aerodynamic shape to help with distance casting, with raised sides to help protect the bait and keep your hookbait in prime position for a fish to pick it up. Each feeder will come with its own variations depending on the manufacturer, some have larger slots, others have special line clips or are designed to be cast as far as possible.

If you're fishing a prolific water, where bites are very consistent, try choosing a feeder that can get plenty of bait on it as well as having lots of areas for the water to force the bait out, making it available to the fish as soon as possible. If you're a specimen angler or an angler who wants to use a larger hookbait and loosefeed, choose a feeder that has a deep base to accommodate these. You can then leave it out all night with confidence that you'll have some bait around your feeder.

When it is cold or bites are at a premium a feeder that can hold your hooklength in place, or is designed to keep it centralised, can be a massive edge. If you're only likely to get a handful of fish eating off the feeder, converting them to bites is crucial, so having your hookbait positioned centrally, so its the first item the fish picks up, can be the difference between no fish and a few.

Glossary

Feeder: A feeder is a plastic or metal object designed to have bait moulded into or around it to attract fish to the hookbait.

Method feeder: A feeder that is designed to have bait and hookbait moulded onto it.

Hybrid feeder: A feeder with a weighted base, and raised sides. It is designed to sit flat on the lakebed and the bait sits above with the hookbait moulded on top.

Hooklength: The last section of line that has your hook attached, generally lighter than your mainline to allow it to break first.

Elasticated stem: A plastic tube that sits through the feeder and has elastic inside, to which your hooklength and mainline are attached. When a fish is hooked, it will stretch, helping to cushion the fight.

Feeder bead: A small plastic bead that acts as a buffer for the feeder to sit on and somewhere for the hooklength and mainline to be attached.

Frequently asked questions on Hybrid-style feeders

How do you load a Hybrid-style feeder?

This style of feeder is very easy to load. Some manufacturers make moulds but to do it by hand is very simple too. Start by pressing some groundbait (or pellets) firmly into the cavity, filling it level with the walls on the feeder, then take your hookbait and push it gently into the groundbait, before covering it in another layer and applying a final squeeze. Make sure the loaded bait is smooth and all contained in the feeder, this will aid your casting.

What are the benefits of a Hybrid over a Method feeder?

Whilst Method feeders are still very effective, the hookbait can end up rolling off the side where the fish take longer to find it or completely miss it. Another issue is if your bait isn't prepared perfectly, it can fall off on impact with the water. The Hybrid-style feeders offer better protection to your bait, so if you're new to fishing, it doesn't have to be perfect for you to be fishing effectively. They also keep your hookbait in the centre of the loosefeed for longer, which is considered the best place to catch a fish.

Author Dan Webb first became involved in angling journalism in 2015 and has worked as Tackle Tester at Angling Times since April 2021. He is a fanatical all-round match angler and former England Youth International.

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