A complete guide to the alloy feeder

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Introduction

For many years there was two types of feeders that dominated the commercial fishery feeder fishing scene. The method feeder and the pellet feeder. Both of these feeders are excellent in their own right. The method feeder leaves the bait on the feeder exposed meaning some gets washed off on impact with the water creating a fairly large baited area, The pellet feeder is enclosed and therefor the water can only attack the bait from one end creating a tiny pile of bait on the bottom ideal for fishing up to features or for when targeting smaller species such as F1's. However there was a gap in the market for something in-between the two and the alloy feeder is exactly that. The alloy feeder is partially enclosed around the sides of the feeder meaning less bait is lost on the cast similar to a pellet feeder but creates a slightly bigger pile of bait on the bottom, Slightly smaller than the method feeder. This feeder is now the go to feeder choice for most commercial feeder anglers having all the best properties of two already fantastic existing feeders.
One great advantage this feeder has over the conventional method feeder is that you don't need a mould, This makes loading the feeder much more efficient and maximises time spent with a bait in the water.
The alloy feeder is really versatile and is just as excellent for fishing up to snags and features as it is when fished out in open water.


Bait preparation

There is much confusion about preparing micro pellets and how long you should soak them for. I simply add the required amount to a bait tub and fully cover them with water. Simply pop them in the fridge taking them out to give them a shake every ten minutes or so. The pellets will be ready after about 40 minutes but can be left in the fridge overnight to make sure any moisture is fully absorbed.


See below: The finished pellets should be soft and spongy enough to stick on the method feeder but still maintain there pellet shape.

Hookbaits

The hookbait choice is literally endless but I usually put them into two categories, a blend in hookbait and a stand out hookbait. Both have there day and it's a case of trial and error on the day to find out which one is working best. As a general rule I like a stand out bait in winter to catch the attention of the fish in the clearer water and a darker smellier hookbait for summer fishing when the carp are feeding more by smell.

Below are a selection of my favourite hookbaits.

  • 6-8mm pellet
  • Wafters or boilers of various colours
  • Sweetcorn
  • Luncheon meat
  • Maggot
  • Artificial corn


Loading the feeder

This process is the most important part of fishing the method feeder and will determine how your bait acts once in the water. The idea is to create a stiffer layer of pellets in the bottom of the feeder followed by the hookbait which is then covered with another softer layer of pellets which will breakdown quickly exposing the hookbait.

1. Fill the feeder with pellets and really compress them with the thumb creating a very compact layer of bait for the hookbait to sit on.

2. Press your finger into the pellets creating a small dent for the pellet or other chosen hookbait to sit in.

3.place the hookbait in the previously made dent in the pellets.

4. Cover the hookbait over with another layer of pellets and give the feeder a light squeeze remembering the more you compress the feeder at this stage the longer they will take to breakdown.

 

Above: This is how the finished feeder should look.


Testing the breakdown time

I always keep a tub of lake water on my side tray so I can test the breakdown time of the feeder. This gives me the ability to know exactly what is happening under the surface and most importantly tells me how long it is until my hookbait is exposed to the fish.
As a general rule I like the pellets to break down fully exposing the hookbait in about 60 to 90 seconds.
If I test the pellets in the tub and the breakdown period takes too long or is too fast then I can adjust how hard I squeeze the pellets onto the feeder and keep testing it until I feel I have the perfect breakdown time.


Above: The feeder is fully broken down after 90 seconds and has set the perfect trap.

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