Catch More Carp on the Bomb & Pellet Feeder
Catch More Carp on the Bomb & Pellet Feeder
The pellet feeder is a fantastic method and catches loads of fish but there are a few ways to increase your catch rate and put more fish in the net. Here are three very simple tips that have certainly given me a few edges along the way.
Nowhere to go
This may seem obvious but how many anglers actually do it, very few! When fishing up against a snag or in this case an undercut bank against an island most anglers will set up with their rod at an angler, however this is a recipe for disaster as it allows the fish to rip the rod round, gain not just momentum but position as well and in most cases becomes snagged. What I have found is to simply beef up my tackle slightly then after casting position the rod so it’s pointing directly to where you have just cast. When a bite comes the fish has nowhere to go but come up in the water, kite left or right on a tight line and away from danger. A simple but very effective tactic that many simply overlook!
Adjust the height
Short hook lengths of around four-inches are commonly used with method/pellet feeders and in most cases are highly effective but by placing two tiny shot on the hooklink can make a very effective rig into a devastating rig as it allows you adjust the presentation of your hook bait in a split second. Basically my standard rig consists of a running pellet feeder which comes to rest against a connector bead. This connector bead allows me to change hook lengths quickly, a unique component in itself. The four-inch max hook length, usually created from 0.20mm Cenex Hybrid Power Mono when fishing for carp, has a size 13 Sphere Beast barbless hook attached to it which is tied knotless knot style allowing a bait band to be tied to the hair. It all seems quite straight forward but I then press two tiny Stotze weights onto the hook length. The Stotze can be moved without fear of damaging the line and if position right back against the feeder simply means the set up can be fished with a standard hard sinking pellet. However if I’m fishing over a choddy bottom I can attach a small pop-up pellet to the band pull the small weights down to say two inches from the hook which creates a hookbait that sits up away from any debris. The height of the bait can be adjusted accordingly, fine tuned and presented in just the way the carp want it!
Biggest isn’t always best
It still amazes me just how many anglers think that it’s advantageous to use a big feeder and hook bait, however next time you are out and using either a method or more to the point a pellet feeder try going for the smallest first and just gauge how you get on. I think your eyes will be widely opened as I have found that when micro’s come into use, less is more. All you are trying to do is to get a bite and micro’s have incredible pulling power, however introduce to many and the chances are the fish will become preoccupied on these, the swim will fizz and bites will become harder to tempt. Building the swim slowly usually means that it will continue to produce the goods over a far longer period.
John Pantrey
Half fill the feeder with damp micro pellets.
Place the hook bait in the feeder.
Cover the hook bait with a few more micro pellets.
John’s Standard Pellet Feeder Tackle
Sphere 11’ Light Feeder Rod
Sphere CFT 4500 Reel
Black Magic Gold 0.23mm/9.6lb Mainline
Sphere Beast Size 13 Barbless Hook
Cenex 0.20mm/9.20lb Hook length
18mm 15g Pellet Feeder
Baitband
John’s standard Pellet Feeder Bait
Micro Pellets
6mm/8mm Hard Pellets
6mm/8mm Dumbell Pop-ups
Carp King Bomb Rod
Carp King Bomb Rod
If you are looking for a really versatile bomb and light feeder rod that won’t break the bank then check out the brilliant value CK Bomb rod. This 10 footer is rated up to 40 grams, making it perfect for bomb fishing and light Method feeders. The sort of fishing we all do on Commercial Fisheries right through the year.
As you can see, the anti-lock action is brilliant for playing carp. Line breakages are a thing of the past, as the rod just bends and bends! You might think that it would be sloppy though, damaging casting accuracy, but nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, this isn’t a top-of-the-range, super-light rod, but then it doesn’t have the price tag either!
I like to use this rod for bomb fishing up to around 40 metres, or for dropping a Pellet Cone or small Method Feeder on a sixpence every time. It is supplied with two tips, of 1oz and 2oz rating, making it perfect for both summer and winter fishing.
It can double-up as a nice skimmer rod too with the lighter tip fitted.
The rod has some lovely features for the price. The rings are low-friction and braid-friendly, with a skeletal design with no liners to break. The screw down reel seat holds the reel securely, and the combination of cork and EVA handle is nice and comfortable.
If you are new to Commercial fishing, or looking for a really nice tool on a tight budget then check out the CK range, you won’t be disappointed!
The CK Bomb rod has a flawless action.
Two tips of 1oz and 2oz are supplied with the CK Bomb Rod.
Low friction Skeletal rings are standard on the CK rod range.
Simple, comfortable, and secure, that’s the handle on the CK rods.
There are some nice little touches on the CK rods, like this embossed logo on the handle.
Xenos Advance Braid Feeder Rod
Xenos Advance Braid Feeder Rod
If you are looking for a brilliant feeder rod at a great price then check out the Xenos Advance range.
Covering everything from a 3.3m medium action rod, suitable for feeders up to 70 grams, to a 4.2m heavy model that will cast feeders weighing 150 grams, there is a rod in this range for most applications. Made from 40 tonne carbon, all of the rods feel light and exceptionally well balanced, thanks to Browning’s long pedigree in designing high performance feeder rods.
One of the most versatile rods in the range is the 3.6m / 12 foot Braid special. As the name suggests, this rod has been developed specifically for fishing with the fine diameter braided lines, with or without shock leaders, that have become an essential part of modern long-range feeder fishing.
The Xenos Advance Braid Feeder has been designed with a slightly softer action in the middle and tip that gives a progressive build up of power on the cast and strike. This makes long-range casting with zero-stretch braided lines easier, and helps to eliminate hook-pulls when catching soft-mouthed fish.
With reserves of power in the butt section the Braid Feeder will handle loaded cage feeders up to 50 grams, making it ideal for stillwaters and slow-flowing rivers where accurate fishing with light lines and small hooks are often the order of the day. Supplied with three tips, 0.5oz, 1oz, 1.5oz, this is the perfect bream and silverfish rod. Tips have a standard 3mm diameter, making them compatible across the range.
Like all of the Xenos Advance range, the Braid Feeder has a stunning epoxy finish, with gold details. The genuine cork handle is comfortable and hard-wearing, with a positive EVA lower grip embossed with the browning logo.
If you want to take your feeder fishing to the next level then check out the Xenos Advance range.
The Xenos Advance rods have a modern twist on a classic epoxy finish with gold trimmings.
The minimal rings help save weight and are braid and mono friendly.
Quality fittings are used throughout the Xenos Advance rod range.
Quiver tips are interchangeable between all of the Xenos rods, thanks to their 3mm diameter.
Silverlite Jens Koschnick Feeder Rods
Take a look at the new Jens Koschnick Feeder Rods in this short video. Click the play button below to watch now.
These rods are based upon the World Champion feeder rod series developed by Jens Koschnick for Browning in 2016.
The range now includes 3 models, all of which have been customised to Jens’ requirements. The old rods have been optimised for length, action and design according to Jens’ vision. The new blanks set themselves apart with the most precise casting properties. Specific areas above the handle have been stiffened. However, the overall soft action required by Jens in the last third of the rods has been retained.
Don’t let your eyes deceive you. Despite the delicate appearance and pleasant action, the rods can take brutal loads and are also suitable for targeting carp.
The insert of the tips remains at the familiar 2.2mm, allowing you to use tips from the World Champion series. However, as an innovation, there are tips available for the Silverlite feeder rods with different ring diamaters. The 3.15m and 3.5m model are supplied with small rings as per the World Champion Range. The 3.85m version comes with big rings.
Xitan Feeder Rod Keeper
Xitan Feeder Rod Keeper
New to the Xitan range of outstanding luggage is the Feeder Rod Keeper range consisting of four holdall options to protect and transport ready made up feeder rods.
The option I have is the Keeper 3+ standard length but there’s a three rod option in a slightly longer length plus a two and four rod holdall. As the name suggest it fully protect three made up rods and has been made deliberately wide for easy removal of rods. The main compartment has two zips situated in the centre of the bag and opens with unique grip handles providing quick and easy access to the rods. These zips are situated on the rear of the holdall which eliminates any possibility of damage to the line on the made up rods.
Made from light, yet robust waterproof wipe down material this holdall has loads of additional external features such as two external pockets. The first contains two integrated tubes for storage of additional tips, the other houses items such as banksticks and feeder arms.
There’s an external brolly pocket with elasticised straps to keep everything neat and tidy and it has both a Velcro’s carry handle and a padded adjustable shoulder strap. There’s even protective feet on the reinforced base to prevent any wear and tear to this crucial area and as expected it comes in the stylish black and red trim finish.
No more struggles getting rods in and out of tight rod holdalls and peace of mind that there is no way the mainline on the made up rods will get damaged.
Well thought through and a real problem solver!
Tim Bruce
Silverlite Jens Koschnick Feeder Rods
Silverlite Jens Koschnick Feeder Rods
In 2016 Jens Koschnick developed the World Champion feeder rods for Browning, that proved to be a massive hit with match anglers across Europe looking to catch shy-biting roach and bream on the feeder.
Now in 2022 Jens has done it again, improving and updating the original World Champion series to develop the new Silverlite rod range. With optimised blanks and updated components these rods really do set the standard at this price point for the modern match angler seeking the perfect silverfish rod.
What sets the Silverlite range apart from the rest is the unique action, which retains the softness to not pull hooks and to magnify bite indication, yet which has enough back-bone to cast accurately at range. A huge amount of development went into getting these blanks perfectly balanced.
Those who already own Browning feeder rods will be pleased to know that the Silverlite rods retain the 2.2mm tip diameter, making them compatible with older models and giving a wide choice of quiver tips.
The 3.15m and 3.5m rods are fitted with normal sized rings, whilst the 3.85m rod, designed for longer range fishing with larger reels, has been fitted with larger stand-off rings.
If you are looking for feeder rods optimised for natural venues where every roach and skimmer counts then check out the Silverlite range at your Browning stockist.
Big Pit Feeders
Let’s face it, we’ve all had cage feeders that have split, broken or simply exploded on impact with the water, yet in all the years of using Browning’s Big Pit Feeders I can honestly say not one has let me down and when they cost half the price of most other cage feeders on the market, then you really do need to check them out.
Made from an almost indestructible (in a fishing application) clear plastic the Big Pit feeder range consists of three sizes – Mini, Standard and Large, there’s also an Inline version and they range in weight loading of between 15g to 60g. The large holes allow for a quick bait release once landed and the ridges within hold the groundbait in place even when casting to the horizon. The stem of the feeder holds a standard swivel and is of a length to create a boom and reduce any chance of tangling and the weight is evenly spread across the base for accurate casting and securely locked into the design of the feeder to eliminate them letting you down.
I used the 50g Big Pit Large Feeder to great effect recently whilst targeting big bream. Casting out a dozen times to lay a bed down bait it wasn’t long before the bream arrived got their heads down and provided me with some outstanding sport.
Reliable and affordable, what more do you need from a feeder?
Tim Bruce
Big Pit Feeders have a near-indestructible plastic frame.
There is a Big Pit Feeder for almost every situation.
The weights are carefully moulded to the bottom of the fame and available in a wide range of sizes.
Silverlite Jens Koschnick Feeder Rod 12’ 6’’
Silverlite Jens Koschnick Feeder Rod 12’ 6’’
Developed in conjunction with Jens’, the Silverlite Jens Koschnick Feeder Rod 12’ 6’’ rods are designed for the angler looking to catch shy-biting silverfish on the feeder in the most demanding situations. The designed has been optimised to offer brilliant casting performance, thanks to the butt and lower mid-section having the back-bone to cast feeders up to 60 grams without folding. The Upper mid-section and tip are softer, helping to spot shy-bites and reduce the number of fish coming adrift on the retrieve.
Whilst the action is optimised for feeder fishing for bream, roach and other silvers, these rods pack enough punch to handle big F1’s and rogue carp too. The optimised blank really can handle everything!
The 12’ 6’’ model has been fitted throughout with larger diameter SiC rings, making it ideal for combining with modern ‘Big Pit’ style feeder reels, with their large diameter spools. Quiver tips are available with both larger and standard ringing.
The exceptional finish and quality fittings add to the overall package, making these serious rods for the aspiring match angler, without the a wallet-busting price tag.
Silverlite Jens Koschnick Feeder Rod 12’ 6’’ / 3.85m model is fitted with large diameter rings throughout for casting performance.
Tips compatible with original 2.2mm diameter World Champion series rods.
Casting Weight – 60 grams
Quiver tips – 0.5oz, 1.0oz, 1.5oz
Xenos Advance Feeder Rods
Xenos Advance Feeder Rods - designed for the modern feeder angler.
If you are looking for a superb-quality feeder rod that won’t break the bank then check out the new Xenos Advance Feeder rods. Covering everything from medium range mini-feeder work for silvers, through Stillwater bream at range, right up to long-range Stillwater feeder and Method feeder tactics on the biggest stillwaters, there is something in this range for everyone.
Built on exceptional 40 tonne carbon blanks, that combine plenty of backbone in the butt section, with a forgiving middle and tip, these rods cast extremely accurately, with the power to punch a feeder out, even in a cross-wind. The softer in the mid-section makes playing decent bream and carp a pleasure rather than a nerve-jangling chore!
Perhaps the first thing that you will notice about these rods is the ringing pattern. Fitted with braid-friendly skeletal rings, the tips are fitted with large-diameter rings as standard. Because of the low weight of the skeletal rings this does not effect the action of the rod, but does increase casting distance. When fishing with braided main lines and shockleaders the connecting knot flies through the rings almost silently for much smoother casting.
For anglers that prefer smaller rings, perhaps when fishing with monofilament main lines, standard tips are also available in a range of different strengths.
Skeletal large diameter rings are used throughout to minimise friction and weight.
Tips are available in a range of strengths and with standard and large rings.
Handy keeper rings are fitted to the Xenos Advance rods.
The lock-down reel seat are very secure and comfortable to use, and look great!
These rods look as good as they perform, with their custom-designed reel seats and optimised handles. The ergonomic shape of the reel seat provides a firm anchor point when casting without adding weight or bulk. The lower part of the handle is made from non-slip EVA, which is easy to grip even when caked in groundbait and slime.
The 3.9m three-piece ML version is ideal for Stillwater feeder fishing with groundbait feeders up to around 40 grams unloaded, with an optimal feeder weight of 30grams unloaded. This is a brilliant bream rod, for medium range fishing, where the sensitive tips show up every liner and twitch. Supplied with three tips of 1oz, 1.5oz and 2oz, this is the perfect choice for the stillwater angler.
Check out the full range of Xenos Advance Feeder rods in our digital catalogue here – https://tackle-box.eu/en/p/12218330
Xenos Cage Feeders
The Xenos Cage Feeders, designed by German International Jens Koschnick, are plastic cage feeders with the weight located at the front of the feeder. The feeders have been designed to have just the right size holes so that the bait doesn’t leave the feeder during the casting process, but when it enters the peg, the bait can be released with ease.
The weight located at the front of the feeder has a screw thread that enables the feeder to be used with different size weights, enabling anglers to cover all conditions and approaches without carrying too many feeders.
The feeders are loaded through the top and a firm squeeze will hold the groundbait in place perfectly, even when giving it the big one! The weight distribution at the front makes casting these feeders a dream, a superb distance cage feeder that makes going that extra mile possible and with the weight being streamline shaped they enter the swim with minimal disturbance.
The Xenon Cage Feeders available in three different sizes with weights ranging from 30g-80g.
The J-25 feeder is 2.1cm in length and 2.5cm in diameter.
The J-28 is 2.4cm in length and 2.8cm in diameter.
The largest of the range is the J-32 feeder that is 3.0cm in length and 3.2cm in diameter, perfect for the days when the more you feed the more you catch!
The J-25 even comes with a slow sinking head that you really need to check out further!
Nick Crooks
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The hole size on the Xenos feeders are perfect for micro pellets and casters.
The Xenos Cage feeder range covers a wide range of feeder sizes and weights, for applications as diverse as winter fishing at close range, to heavy baiting at range.
Use the Xenos J32 feeder when you want to introduce plenty of bait.
The Xenos J25 Slow-sinking Feeder is brilliant for summer carp, as the buoyancy can be adjusted by filling it with water to catch carp right through the water column.