FEEDER SIZES ARE A CRUCIAL CHOICE, ESPECIALLY FOR LONGER CASTS

THE first thing to consider when fishing at range is choosing the right feeder, and what I select may surprise you.

Much of my winter long-range work is done at Boddington, where it’s a straight choice between Method and Hybrid feeders.

Personally, I tend to opt for a Hybrid feeder for long range because I feel it protects the bait that bit better on the cast due to the raised sides of the feeder.

When picking the right size it’s either a medium or a large feeder, because I don’t really see much point in casting a thimble-sized amount of bait into the abyss!

Weight is another consideration, and the first point I’ll make is that you can’t cast a 24g feeder beyond 80m because the weight isn’t sufficient to load the rod and get the best out of its casting power.

For this reason all my long-range work is undertaken using either a 45g or 55g large Hybrid or the 42g in the medium size.

The 45g and 55g large feeders are my go-to sizes, but if it’s all about distance then the 42g is actually my first choice.

It might sound surprising that a smaller, lighter feeder will cast the furthest but this is down to it being a little more aerodynamic.

I feel that the large feeders produce more bites but sometimes it’s about being able to reach the fish, so the 42g really has the edge.