Feeder fishing help

[Ringo2512]

Hi all really needing some help here as I want to start feeder fishing but am getting stuck at everything I can't Evan start as everytime I try to buy the equipment I get the tackle is to heavy error now I want to understand how to do this and enjoy this but I'm struggling can anyone tell me what to buy at the lowest level from rod reel line ect that will work then once I get a rod setup I can learn from this and hopefully work the rest out for myself 

 

Many thanks 

[PH_Carpman99]

Probably buying the smallest feeder you can might help. Providing your current level and details of the setup your trying to put together might get a better answer for you.

[mitderplatte]

It's really not that easy to build a well-balanced feeder setup, since the leaders, lines, and reels make it hard to max out your gear - especially when you're still leveling. Some stuff only unlocks later in the game, and it's hard to find suitable line/leader/reel/rod combos that won't break your gear, but on the other hand will max out your rod.

Like @Carpman99 said, it would be easier for us to give you advice, if you could provide us with your current level. But, to get you started, here's the basics:

Like with every setup, you should first choose the rod you'd like to use. The first feeder rod you can get is the CreekPro 240 (7'10"), which unlocks at level 3. It has a max line weight of 3 kg (6.50 lb.). You would then choose a reel that has an equal, or slightly lower max drag. In that case, you could use the CrucianHunter 3000, with a max drag of 3 kg (6.50 lb.), the InspireCast 3000 (2.9 kg / 6.40 lb.), the WinCast 2500 (2.9 kg / 6.40 lb.), Espira Slim 2500 (2.9 kg / 6.40 lb.), etc.

With every other setup, you would then choose a line that has a slightly lower max test, and be done. Like the Mono 0.23 mm (.009") or Braid 0.15 mm (.006"), with 2.7 kg (6 lb.) each. But with the feeder rods, you also have to equip a mono leader. The one that comes closest to your rod's max test without going over it would be the mono leader 0.14 mm (0.0055") with a test of 2.5 kg (5.5 lb.).

The mono leader should always be the weakest link in your setup, as it's the cheapest part of your setup. It should always brake first, in case you get spooled by a big fish. Then you'd only loose your leader, hook, and bait. If the leader is stronger than your line, your line will break, and you'll loose your cage feeder / sinker as well. And if your line is stronger than your reel / rod, your reel and / or rod might brake as well. And that can get quite expensive..

So, coming back to our setup: Since you now have a leader with 2.5 kg (5.5 lb.) max test, you'd like your reel to get as close to your leader's max test as possible - without going over it. To calculate your reel's drag, you'd have to know the number of drag settings of your reel, divide the max drag by that number, and multiply it with your drag setting.

Example: The CrucianHunter 3000 has a max drag of 3 kg (6.50 lb.), and 6 drag settings. 3 kg / 6 * 5 equals 2,50 kg (5.42 lb.). In metric, that is equal to your leader's max test, which means that your leader will break on that setting. On imperial setting, it might just work out. You'd have to try this out for yourself. But to be on the safe side, you'd have to go one setting lower (4/6), which only gives you 2,00 kg (4.33 lb.).

https://monosnap.com/file/0VjHoTV0ptVyTXHYDaPdXNi8es2MoY

In order to get closer to your leader's max test, you'd have to look for another reel. To speed things up: The InspireCast3000 and the WinCast2500 both have a max test of 2.9 kg (6.40 lb.), and 6 drag settings. 2.9 kg / 6 * 5 equals 2,42 kg (5.33 lb.). Which gives you an extra 0,42 kg (1 lb.) of power, without breaking your leader:

https://monosnap.com/file/6zvwYs6v7MVD0ObH8HIfL3PLWyKuC1

https://monosnap.com/file/7igdtBHLLcdlpVRVq49dwEJj8Qgx9y

The InspireCast has a recovery of 70 cm, instead of the 60 cm that the WinCast offers. Which means you'll be able to get the fish in a little quicker, and won't have that much trouble with loosing line tension.

The EspiraSlim2500 even has 80 cm of recovery, which would be even better. BUT it has 8 drag settings instead of six. 2,90 kg / 8 * 7 equals 2,54 kg (5.60 lb.) - which again would cause your leader to break. If you go one setting lower, you'd be at 2,18 kg (4.80 lb.) - which is less than the other two reels:

https://monosnap.com/file/mAECZqWdU8P1A1WSnvdKIwNjUEYoDZ

So, long story short: To max out the CreekPro 240, go with this setup:

rod: CreekPro 240 (7'10") - max test 3 kg (6.5 lb.) - casting weight: 5 - 35 g (1/6 - 1 1/4 oz.) - level 3
reel: InspireCast3000 - max drag: 3 kg (6.4 lb.) - level 7
line: Mono 0.23mm (.009") / Braid 0.15mm (.006") - max test 2.7 kg (6 lb.) - level 11
leader: mono 0.14mm (.0055") - max test 2.5 kg (5.5 lb.) - level 12
sinker: 15 or 25 g (1/2 oz. or 7/8 oz.) - level 3-5
feeder: 15 / 20 g (1/2 oz. or 5/7 oz.) - level 3-5

https://monosnap.com/file/ybXsmHdEkejpFpLSyI8sdpqEdcgpUV

https://monosnap.com/file/MRzfNrMqvHOS142LW4lW87VGib9ii4

When choosing the sinker / feeder, you'd not only have to have an eye on your rod's max casting weight, but also take the weight of your bait into account. The 30 g (1 1/16 oz.) feeder is too heavy for your rod - even though it supports a casting weight up to 35 g (1 1/4 oz.). This is because your bait etc. will be added to the weight, and then exceeds what your rod can handle.

Furthermore, some bait is just too heavy for your rod. After doing some testing, light-weight bait like flies / maggots - up to medium bait like shrimp - is fine for the CreekPro. But you will get the "tackle is too heavy for your rod" message when equipping heavier bait, like small minnows etc. In that case, you need to upgrade to a heavier rod, and try again. Which should be fine, as the fish going for the heavier bait will most likely be too strong for your rod anyways.

Sorry for getting carried away and going too much into detail (as always ). Just go with the example setup, if it's all too confusing. I hope this helps anyways. You might wanna check out Kp's video on the subject. Maybe that's easier to understand:

Tight lines!

Edited July 22, 2019 by alohastone