Best Line For Method Feeder Fishing
The method feeder tactic usually involves casting heavily loaded feeders often. To be consistent and effective with this tactic, it’s important to use a line that can withstand this sort of punishment.
The best line for method feeder fishing is one that can consistently stand up to the high demand the tactic uses.
This article details everything you will need to know in order to choose the best line for method feeder fishing depending on your specific circumstances.
We highlight different monofilament, braids, and fluorocarbon lines and suggest some great options that have been tried and tested.
Quick Answer
If you don’t need all the detail that goes into the best line for method feeder fishing and would just like to see our recommended lines then you can see a summary below.
Please read on though if you would like more info on method feeder fishing lines.
Image | Product | Features | Quick Link |
---|---|---|---|
Mono | #1. Drennan Method Feeder Monofilament Line |
| More Info |
Mono | #2. Guru Pulse Low Stretch Coarse Fishing Line |
| More Info |
Braid | #3. Preston Innovations Absolute Feeder Braid |
| More Info |
Braid | #4. Matrix Fishing Submerge Fishing Line |
| More Info |
Fluoro | #5. Berkley Trilene Fluorocarbon |
| More Info |
What Are The Different Lines To Use When Method Feeder Fishing?
There are 3 different types of line you can use when method feeder fishing.
These are:
- Monofilament
- Braid
- Fluorocarbon
Monofilament
Monofilament is often abbreviated to ‘mono’ and is the most common line type to be used in fishing.
Mono fishing line is made from a single fibre of plastic. It comes in a wide range of diameters and breaking strains to suit the style of fishing you are practising.
Mono can be used as a mainline or as a hook length when method feeder fishing but it is important to ensure you use a mono that has a breaking strain high enough to deal with the exertion put on it by this tactic. More detail on this can be found later in this article.
Braid
Braid is constructed from multiple fibres of material and has a softer feel than mono.
The way braid is constructed means that it has a lot less stretch than monofilament.
Less stretch, generally means you can cast further and also means that the bites you get when using braid are a lot more ferocious and obvious on your feeder rod or bite indicators.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon fishing line is made of the fluoropolymer PVDF. It is well-known for its light-refracting properties and is a lot less visible in water than mono or braid.
For this reason, some anglers prefer fluorocarbon as a fishing line. It is fairly stiff with little stretch giving excellent feel and feedback. It is also a very dense material, which means it sinks quicker and you can get more strength for less diameter.
Anglers fishing waters where fish are known to be very wary and hard to catch, quite often believe that the best line for method feeder fishing on hard waters is fluorocarbon because of these properties.
What Is The Best Hook Length Material When Method Feeder Fishing?
One of the key parts of method feeder fishing is using a short hook link.
Quite often anglers will bury their hook link and bait within the method feeder ready for fish to bump and release the morsels which include the bait.
For this reason, many anglers fishing this method prefer a ‘stiffer’ hook link material so the bait almost springs out when the feeder is bumped.
Stiffer hook links also have good anti-eject properties and for this reason, a decent mono or a fluorocarbon are the preferred materials.
Having said this, there are cases where braid can work really well as a hook length. The subtlety of braided material can work really well if the fish just aren’t feeding as confidently as you would like.
How To Choose The Best Line For Method Feeder Fishing
To choose the best line for method feeder fishing, you first need to have an idea of what water you are going to be fishing and what fish you are fishing for.
The following factors should be considered before picking your method feeder fishing line:
- Size of fish you are likely to be catching
- The distance you are needing to cast
- Are you fishing in open water or near snags?
- The watercolour
- The brightness of the conditions
- The rig and feeder type you are going to be using
Size Of Fish
The size of the fishing you are trying to catch will affect your decision on the best line for method feeder fishing.
The larger the fish, the harder they pull back. So if you are fishing for carp, for example, you will need a line that has a higher breaking strain than if you are fishing for silverfish.
Casting Distance
If you are needing to cast far on your chosen water then the correct line choice is paramount. Braid is quite often considered the best line for method feeder fishing at distance.
This is because it has less stretch than mono and fluorocarbon meaning less energy is expelled into the line and more into the forward momentum of the cast.
Open water or snags
If you are fishing near snags when method feeder fishing then it is best to choose a line with a higher breaking strain with anti-abrasion properties.
For this reason, many anglers use braid when fishing near snags. It has less give when you first strike meaning there is a yard or two gained whereby a fish could otherwise have found the snag.
In open water, this isn’t a problem and any method feeder fishing line can be used.
Water Colour
The watercolour affects your choice of line in a couple of ways. Firstly it could dictate what colour line you use.
If the water is muddy and silty then a darker colour line should be chosen. If the water is weedy then maybe a green line would be the best option.
If the water is clear, we recommend using fluorocarbon as the best line for method feeder fishing. This is because the light refracting properties of this line will give you an edge in clear water.
The Brightness Of The Conditions
Similar to the colour of the water, the brightness can affect the best line for method feeder fishing because brighter conditions may make your line more visible to fish.
This is even more apparent if fishing in shallower water.
If you find yourself in these conditions then a clear monofilament line or fluorocarbon should be used.
The Rig & Feeder Type You Are Using
In modern-day angling, there are all sorts of fancy rigs and feeders on the market for fishermen to choose from.
If you are carp fishing, your hook bait and your fishing method are important decisions to make as they can be the difference between catching or not. If this subject interests you, we have a separate article on both carp fishing rigs and the best hook bait for carp fishing.
When method feeder fishing, the actual feeder you use can dictate what hook length line you use.
For example, using a method feeder mould would suit a small hook length and a small hook bait. With this fishing method anglers generally go down the mono or fluoro route when choosing the best line for method feeder fishing.
What Is The Best Strength Line To Use When Method feeder Fishing?
When method feeder fishing, the best breaking strain line to use will depend on the following factors.
- What size fishing you are targeting
- The distance you are casting
- The weight you are casting
- Whether or not you are fishing in or near weed, or snags
Check out this handy table that summarises the best breaking strain line to use for method feeder fishing, depending on these circumstances:
Fishing For Small To Medium Fish
Casting Weight | Min Breaking Strain Line With No Snags or Weed | Min Breaking Strain Line With Snags or Weed |
---|---|---|
0 - 1.5oz | 4lb | 6lb |
1.5 - 2.5oz | 5lb | 8lb |
2.5 - 4oz | 6lb | 10lb |
4oz+ | 8lb | 12lb |
Fishing For Medium To Specimen Sized Fish
Casting Weight | Breaking Strain Line With No Snags or Weed | Breaking Strain Line With Snags or Weed |
---|---|---|
0 - 1.5oz | 6lb | 10lb |
1.5 - 2.5oz | 8lb | 12lb |
2.5 - 4oz | 10lb | 12lb |
4oz+ | 12lb | 15lb |
How To Load Line Onto Your Reel When Method Feeder Fishing
So, you can have the absolute best line for method feeder fishing, but if you don’t load it properly onto your feeder reel then it just won’t perform at its best.
For your line to perform well on the cast and the retrieve, as well as to avoid unnecessary knots and tangles, the way you load the line onto your reel is very important.
Here is a short video explaining how to load your line onto your reel properly:
The Best Line For Method Feeder Fishing
So now we have explained the different types of method feeder line and the best strength of line to use as well as how to choose the best line, it’s now time to show you some options.
The following method feeder lines have been tried and tested by ourselves, with many other anglers having also provided positive reviews on them.
Best Mono For Method Feeder Fishing
#1. Drennan Method Feeder Monofilament Line
When we first used this line we were impressed with its slick surface finish as this feature makes it cast like an absolute dream. It also feels really strong and resilient, without having too high a diameter.
The line is very fast sinking and blends in well with coloured water thanks to its pale brown finish.
Available in 100-metre and 250-metre spools, this line by Drennan is a perfect monofilament for method feeder fishing.
Features & Specifications
- Available in 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 & 12 lb breaking strain
- Extra strong
- Fast sinking
- Tough and durable
- Long-lasting
- Slick surface coating
- Superb for distance fishing
- Pale brown colour
- 100m and 250m spools
#2. Guru Pulse Low Stretch Coarse Fishing Line
The pulse line from Guru is a very popular method feeder fishing line for many anglers.
This is because it offers low stretch properties and high abrasion resistance. This means that it is a great mono to use if you don’t want to use braid but still want to fish near weed or snags.
The line has a low diameter for its breaking strain making it a great all-round option not only for method feeder fishing but also for general coarse fishing across many disciplines.
Features & Specifications
- A low stretch feeder line
- High abrasion resistance mono
- Great casting and sinking properties
- 300m spool
- Marker at 150m for accurate re-spooling
Best Braid For Method Feeder Fishing
#3. Preston Innovations Absolute Feeder Braid
Braid has many advantages and in many anglers’ eyes, it is the new best line for method feeder fishing. Braid does have one distinct disadvantage though, and that is it can be difficult at times to make it sink.
Preston has really acknowledged this disadvantage to braid and has come up with a great solution in the Absolute feeder braid.
The scientific bit is that it is made from an 8 strand PE material which initially makes it smooth, durable and has a really high knot strength.
The brilliant addition by Preston though is that the fibres are manufactured with a special treatment.
This treatment helps the line to sink and also gives it the perfect blend of suppleness and stiffness. All in, what this means is that you have a really strong braid, that sinks well, casts brilliantly, and has great anti-tangle properties.
Well done Preston Innovations.
Features & Specifications
- Excellent sinking properties
- Brown in colour
- High knot strength
- 8 strand material
- Super smooth
#4. Matrix Fishing Submerge Fishing Line
The submerge sinking feeder braid is another popular line with many anglers who are moving towards using braid in their feeder fishing.
This is an all-round line and not necessarily only suited to method feeder fishing.
One of the main advantages of this braid compared to others is its really thin diameter. This makes it perfect for casting accurately at long distances that are sometimes needed in method feeder fishing.
The non-stretch properties of this braid increase bite detection that is also maintained at long distances.
The knot strength on this braid is also superb which means you never have to worry about a crack off when casting those fully loaded method feeders.
Check out the following video showcasing some of the features of the Submerge feeder
Features & Specifications
- Available in 0.08mm, 0.10mm and 0.12mm diameters
- High-quality fast sinking braid
- Zero stretch offers ultimate bite detection
- Super-smooth outer coating
- High knot strength & abrasion resistance
- Supplied on 150m spools
Best Fluorocarbon For Method Feeder Fishing
#5. Berkley Trilene Fluorocarbon
Berkley is a reputable name in the fishing line industry and the Trilene range is one of the most popular global lines of all time.
Their fluorocarbon is made of high-quality, professional-grade materials that are proven to have incredible abrasion resistance, knot strength, and substantial density.
This great fluorocarbon can be used in many fishing applications with method feeder fishing being high on the list of a discipline it is perfect for.
Features & Specifications
- Camo Green colour
- Fast bite response
- Low-stretch ratio
- Great knot strength & abrasion resistance
- Supplied on a 150m spool
Final Thoughts
The best line for method feeder fishing is one that can cast accurately, cast far enough, has good abrasion resistant properties, limited stretch, and has a high knot strength.
All the lines featured in this article tick all the boxes required in a method feeder line whether it’s mono, braid or fluorocarbon you are after.
To re-cap these method feeder lines are:
#1. Drennan Method Feeder Monofilament Line
#2. Guru Pulse Low Stretch Coarse Fishing Line
#3. Preston Innovations Absolute Feeder Braid
#4. Matrix Fishing Submerge Fishing Line
#5. Berkley Trilene Fluorocarbon
Hopefully, this article has provided you with some clarity on the best line for method fishing for you.
Thanks for reading.
Tight Lines!
All of the fishing tackle featured in this article can be found at one of the following online shops…