Now we are at the second part of the articles dedicated to feeder rigs. In this part we focus on the rigs used for carp fishing. While I try to describe two all-around rigs in the first article. These rigs was developed to meet the requirement of carp fishing. Using it we can offer our bait where they catch and how they can accept it. These riggs needs to be casted easily, has to be very durable while still keep them sensitive and of course hard to notice by carps.

What a wonderful landscape! Really impressive.

Our fishes, the carps are famous about their cautious behavior and suspiciousness. They like the deeper areas far away from the bank. This statement is especially true for huge ones. It is obvious that the initial bailing in will be not the easiest thing without using a boat. At this distance using a slingshot is not accurate enough to use it effectively over 80 yards or more. Unless we decide to build the modern reproduction of a catapult used in the dark ages, we need to use the feeder cage, to drop the initial bailing in and further groundbait later in the fishing. The rigs below are the proper ones to do the job well, to drop the groundbait where we want even if we are talking about bigger amount of groundbait. How? I will show it soon!

Distance casting rig

This is Hungary’s most widely used carp fishing rig. The heart of this rig is a standard ribbed cage with anti tangle tube. Why is it important? The answer is simplier than you think. Because the tube stabilizes the flying rig, works like an arrow at longer distance casts. This is very important. Carps like silence, they are very careful. The huge ones really likes silence and peace and are extremely careful. This is why they still living and grow bigger and bigger in every year. And this is why we like fishing for them so much. Because it is not an easy thing.

Conceptual draw shows the rig (click to the picture to enlarge!)

Catching them closely from the bang is nearly impossible. You can be sure that if the lake is big enough, they will be swimming in the middle of it. If we want to catch them, we have to go there, go after them. This rig is designed for casting as far as possible with the feeder rod. The main part of the rig is the modified cage on the anti tangle tube, which runs freely on the mainline. Then we need to use a rig stopper before the swivel or the quick change. The hooglenght is short, probably around 4 or 6 inches depends on taste of carps. What does it mean that the cage needs to be modified? IT has to be moved upper on the anti tangle tube by 2 inches. On this way, the hooklenght cannot tangle over the cage.

Different size of cages can be used

Based on my experience, a heavy cage is still not needed even for the big distance. If we use heavy or super heavy rods, the cage’s weight needs to be around 1 oz, not more. Why not, you ask? I tell you. We use 1 oz cage and just press some groundbait into it, between 1 and 2 oz. On this way we loaded and use the cage around 60-70 percent of the maximum casting weight. The point is that most feeder rods can be used ideally at this percent of the maximum casting weight. Reaching the maximum distance needs the optimal action. If we have a super heavy rod, than we must use a rig around 3.5 oz in loaded weight, to reach the maximum distance with it.

The rig before casting

But there is another thing what we have to be aware of and this is the way how we load the cage. Using this type of feeder, the amount of groundbait can be set by us, because it is not a limited volume. A 1 oz cage with plenty of groundbait over it can be weighted over 4 oz easily and a 2 oz cage can be casted carrying only 1 oz. It is important to choose the right one, because a lighter cage can’t be casted as far as a heavier cage with less groundbait. This is only coming from the resistance of the air. Lets think of it, when we plan the fishing.

Nice ghost carp took my bait

Method feeder

There is some misunderstanding around this name and this technique here in Hungary. In England, where this technique was borned, the method feeder covers all the fishing style, which uses feeder cages for drop the groundbait into the water. Everything changes and our words has no exception. In these days, the method cage means a flat, ribbed lead weight. The groundbait and often the bait itself is just pressed onto this flat lead. How can this simple cage improve our fishing, what is the advantage behind it?

Conceptual draw shows the rig (click to the picture to enlarge!).

The main principle of the method feeder, that it falls onto the river or lake bed in the same position. Always in the same position, thanks to the asymmetric weight balance. Now we can hide the bait in the middle of the groundbait. This is allowed just by this cage, no other has this opportunity, because their weight center points in the middle of the cage. Except the method feeder. But why is it so important to offer the bait on this way? Because when the carp arrives and start to check the groundbait, it is enough if it sniffs just a little. The hook is already in its mouth. It will be not suspicious because the hook can not be seen.

There are plenty of sizes of the method cages to chose from

In case of other techniques, the hook can be seen, and the hooklength is also visible. In case of the method feeder, it is not, and now this is very important for us. In most cases, the standard bait offering works very well, mainly if we want to use pop-up baits. But if we want to hide the bait into the groundbait, if we want the carp keep calm and unsuspecting, the method feeder is the perfect choice. The other advantage is the anti tangle. If we put the hook in the middle of the groundbait, it cant be tangled to the mainline, and will be positioned in the center of the groundbait, while the cage falls to the bottom of the water.

Extremely simple rig

Is there any disadvantages, which has to be noticed? Yes, of course. Due to the asymmetric weight center and the sort anti tangle tubing, the method feeder cage can’t be casted as far as the distance casting rig. But it is not really a shame. Anybody can cast these cages over 50 yards easily. In theory the 70-80 yards distance is still reachable with them. If we don’t need to cast as far as we can, using the method feeder holds more advantages for us.

We can catch wonderful fishes using this type of rig

These two rigs can be used widely. Almost all of the situations can be solved with them. There are some unique situations, which needs special solutions. The next article will be dedicated for them. But until then I wish you wonderful catches!