Choosing The Best Feeder Fishing Rods In 2024
With so many different types of feeder fishing rods to choose from in modern day angling, choosing can be a real minefield.
In this article I'll run through some essential features found in the best feeder rods based on personal experiences from myself and other experts.
I'll also offer some hints and tips that should help you choose. Let's get straight into it.
Quick Answer?
If you are in a rush, then here are some of the top feeder rods featured in this article.
- Best Overall: - Daiwa Airity X Slim feeder Rod
- Best Method Feeder Rod: - Drennan Vertex 11ft
- Good Option For Beginners: - John Wilson 12 ft Feeder/Reel Combo
- Best Budget Option: - Shakespeare Omni
- Most Powerful / Distance Feeder Rod: - MAP Dual Distance Feeder Rod
- A Good Lightweight Option: - Shakespeare Superteam
- Most Versatile All Round Pick: - Guru N-Gauge Feeder Rod
You can check the full list here...
Alternatively please read on to see more information on what to look for in a top feeder fishing rod.
What is a feeder rod?
A feeder rod is used primarily for ledgering. But not just any old weight. The best feeder rods will be specifically designed to throw out a weight that serves a dual purpose.
Aside from keeping your rig in place on the bottom, a feeder contains an integral method of depositing bait on or around your hook length, increasing the chance of a fish locating your bait.
They come in a variety of sizes. The size of the rod all depends on two things. What you intend to cast, and what you intend to catch.
Let’s look at two different scenarios in which we might use a feeder rod. First, let's look at skimmer fishing with a feeder rod. As no doubt you already know, skimmers are small bream who amass in hoards to pick an area clean of small ground bait.
If you were looking to target them you probably wouldn’t need a feeder rod capable of hefting out a 150 gram method feeder. So you would want a lightweight feeder rod with a fast action that can quickly and easily whip out a light cage feeder.
Let’s now look at carp fishing and using a method feeder with a feeder rod. A method feeder is basically a lead weight whose structure is specifically designed to hold ground-bait until it hits the water where it will disperse an attractive cloud in your swim.
In some cases, with the correct method feeder mix, the ground-bait may stay intact whilst the feeder hits the bottom. The aim of this is to get rampant fish knocking the feeder, releasing the contents which include your hook bait. The fully loaded method feeders tend to be very heavy.
The best feeder rods for this type of fishing will be something with a strong enough blank to throw this to a reasonable distance, and also to pull in the bigger fish that you would be expecting to catch.
In contrast, if you were fishing for Barbel on a river, you would probably need a Barbel feeder rod that is somewhere between the previous two scenarios.
A feeder rod has another attribute that sets it apart from other rods, bite detection. The means by which bite detection is achieved on a feeder rod is by use of a whippy tip section, also known as a ‘quiver tip’ or ‘feeder tip’.
In the coming sections, you’ll see lots of examples of quiver tips as we look at what I consider to be a good choice for the best feeder rods.
How do you use a feeder fishing rod?
If you have ledgered before then you will already know how to use a feeder rod and you will hopefully know that it is completely different to fishing with a float rod.
You attach your weight and rig to your main line, and cast to an area where you hope to find the fish. You then put the rod down in its rest and wind in ever so slightly once you have deployed your rig to tighten any slack.
I like to wind until there is the slightest of bends in the quiver tip. This means you are in complete contact with your rig. Bites are indicated in a number of ways. You may find that your quiver tip moves hard over, no problems detecting a bite there.
The rub comes when bites are more subtle. It is far more common, dependant on species, for the tip to move and twitch slightly. The best feeder rods will make this easy to spot, however.
Other signs to look for are the feeder tip moving in the other direction or going slack. This also indicates that you need to strike.
Here's a good video that introduces some of the basics of feeder fishing...
What to look for in the best feeder rods
Decide on what length of feeder rod you need: -
As I have said this depends on how far you need to cast, how heavy you need to cast, and what you are hoping to reel in.
If you are only fishing light then a shorter rod will be the order of the day, likewise, for big fish, weights or distances, use a big rod.
Choosing the right tip for your feeder rod: -
Again, this depends, but be aware that the best feeder rods will allow you to mix and match quiver tips. Most will have the option to attach any tip that you choose.
This can be handy if you need to change the sensitivity of the tip or indeed the colour depending on certain light conditions.
Choosing the best action in a feeder rod: -
The action isn’t only dependent on length. It is possible to have a range of actions regardless of rod size. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the fish, the less tip action you will require.
With big fish, bite sensitivity is not so critical as they tend to be more obvious. You will more likely need the extra power provided by a mid-action rod to hold the fish away from any trouble.
Balancing your rod with the correct reel: -
The best feeder rods can only be the best if they are balanced with the correct feeder reel. A light quiver-tipped rod will just not perform well if paired with a huge big pit reel.
Equally a heavy-duty method feeder rod will need a substantial, robust, reel to take the strain of constant, potentially heavy, casting.
For a few extra tips check out this video...
The Best Feeder Rods
The best feeder rods are those that allow you to cast your rig easily, gives the optimum bite detection for the size and type of species that you are aiming to catch, and gives you the ability to play the fish efficiently and effectively.
Obviously budget may be a factor which is why our choices include premium as well as budget options and also some feeder rods suited towards beginners.
Checkout my feeder rod recommendations as follows:
The Best Feeder Rods - Best Overall
#1. Daiwa Airity X Slim Feeder Rod
Key Features:
- X45 Technology
- HVF Nano-plus
- V-Joint
- Anti Tangle LS Guides
- Matt Black Daiwa Tournament Reel Seat with EVA Fore Grip
- Cork/EVA Armlock Handle
- Supplied with three Mega-top Quiver Tips
Daiwa as a brand and fishing rods in general always equals quality in the angling world.
The Airity X45 feeder rod is absolutely no exception to this rule and shares the same quality as the other coarse fishing gear within the X45 range.
This superb feeder rod boasts power, versatility, and a very fluid playing action.
There are 6 versions in the range with different lengths to choose from.
Our favourite on testing was the 10-11 foot version as this offers the unique opportunity of alternating between a feeder rod and a waggler rod!
The V-joint technology allows the actual spigot on the different rod pieces to actually bend. This means that the action remains very natural and fluent when playing a fish.
It also means that casting is a dream with both distance and accuracy both easily achievable.
The superior blanks on the Airity rods alongside the X45 technology make these rods an absolute pleasure to work with.
To help explain what the X45 technology actually means check out this short video clip:
The Daiwa Airity X45 feeder rod is at the top end of the market in terms of price but in our opinion, it's worth every penny. If you can afford to purchase one, you will absolutely NOT be disappointed.
Here is what I like and dislike about the rod based on our own experiences...
Pros
Cons
The Best Overall Method Feeder Rod
#2. Drennan Vertex 11ft
Key Features:
The Vertex rods are a result of years of development by Drennan and they were absolutely worth the wait. Available in 10ft, 11ft and 12ft lengths, these method feeding rods combine, strength, subtlety, and quality in a complete feeder rod package.
The Vertex feeder rods are ideal on commercial carp waters and can handle everything from silverfish to F1's and bigger carp.
The Vertex rods include two tips with a 2oz Glass tip and 3oz Carbon tip to choose from depending on your fishing situation.
These fantastic rods feature a high-grade cork handle with EVA casting grip and a screw-down reel seat keeping the reel rock solid for the entire session. The rods also feature a hook keeper ring, SiC guides throughout, and a stylish, sleek look.
Check out this brief video of these rods in action:
With a reasonable price point for the quality you receive with these rods, they are 100% worth considering if you are on the lookout for one of the best feeder rods for method fishing on the market today.
Pros
Cons
Alternative Drennan Feeder Rod:
The Best Feeder Rod For Beginners
#3. John Wilson 12ft Feeder Rod And Reel Combo
Key Features:
This fantastic feeder rod/reel combo from the legendary John Wilson is a great starting point for anyone taking up the wonderful sport of angling.
The rod is made from a quality slim blank and has really comfortable grips.
The reel comes pre-spooled with monofilament so you can start fishing straight away!
Two tips are included in this great package and for the price, is a great option for beginners and more experienced anglers alike.
Pros
Cons
Alternative Beginners Feeder Rod:
The Best Budget Feeder Rod
#4. SHAKESPEARE Omni Feeder Rod
Key Features:
- 10 ft in length
- Lightweight blank
- 2 sections
- Aluminium Oxide, lightweight guides
- Cork/Hyperion handle
If you are new to feeder fishing or just on a tight budget it doesn’t have to be expensive if you want to give it a try.
This rod offers excellent value and at 10ft provides an excellent middle-ground for you to try catching a number of species.
The Shakespeare Omni is lightweight and strong enough to handle medium-sized fish. The aluminium oxide guides also allow for frictionless casting.
For its price point, you get a quality feeder rod that does what you need it to do in a simple yet effective way.
Pros
Cons
Alternative Budget Feeder Rod:
The Best Distance Feeder Rod
#5. MAP Dual Distance Feeder Rod
Key Features:
- High modulus fast taper carbon blank
- Unique handle design with part cork/EVA design
- Oversized guides throughout
- Screw reels seat
- Supplied with Neoprene rod wraps
- 3-section blank
- Supplied with 2.0oz, 3.0oz, and 4.0oz carbon tips
This beast of a feeder rod from the reputable MAP (Match Angling Products) has all the qualities needed to cast feeders of all types to the horizon.
The fast taper blank picks line lightning quick on the strike, which is a really important trait when feeder fishing at distance.
The oversized guides are the catalyst to super-efficient casting and the three different weighted carbon tips allow you to balance and adjust the weight of the feeder being cast. We have managed to cast weights up to 120g with ease with this feeder rod.
Playing fish is a dream with the MAP dual feeder, thanks to the high modulus carbon blank.
In summary, the MAP Dual is a quality feeder rod that is strong, resilient, and is absolutely a worthwhile contender for the best feeder fishing rod on the market today.
Check out the following video that gives some great tips and advice on what feeder tips to use on the MAP Dual Distance Feeder Rod:
Pros
Cons
The Best Lightweight Feeder Rod
#6. Shakespeare Superteam Light Feeder Rod
Key Features:
- 30T High-Density Carbon
- Perfectly positioned braid resistant SIC guides
- Quality EVA and/or cork handle material
- Pro designed blank action
- Modern look and feel
Shakespeare has produced yet another, quality, fishing rod in the Superteam Light Feeder. This rod is made of 30T high-density carbon which provides the right balance of subtlety and durability to make it a perfect feeder rod for lighter work.
The handle materials and SiC guides are pretty standard, yet important features in the best feeder rods and this offering ticks both these boxes with ease.
The best feature we like about this fantastic feeder rod, (other than its sleek look & feel) is its play action. You can feel every ounce of effort made by the fish on the fight which makes this rod a really exciting one to play fish on.
In summary, the Shakespeare Superteam is a great feeder rod worthy of being part of both beginners and more advanced angler's artillery any day of the week.
Check out the following video that showcases this great feeder rod in action:
Pros
Cons
Alternative Lightweight Feeder Rod:
The Best All-Round Feeder Rod
#7. Guru N-Gauge Feeder Rod
Key Features:
- 2-piece Construction
- High-Quality Components
- Part Cork, Part Duplon Handle
- Lightweight Guides
This great all-round feeder rod is made by Guru which happens to be the sister brand of the reputable Korda.
Now Korda has a top reputation in the carp fishing community and you can just tell this influence has been a major player in developing this strong, all-round feeder rod.
There are 4 different lengths in the N'Gauge range with us preferring the 10 and 11-foot versions as the more all-round options to cover the majority of feeder fishing situations.
The through action build of this rod not only helps with accuracy and efficiency when casting but is also a godsend when hooking into hard fighting carp, barbel and tench.
The handles are made from part cork and part Duplon, which offers superior grip, durability, and comfort, whilst also looking the part.
With 3 carbon tips included in each of the versions, this quality, adaptable, feeder rod would be a key part of your fishing arsenal for years to come.
Check out the following video that shows how best to use the Guru N-Gauge Feeder Rod:
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
The best feeder rods need to offer the correct balance of both strength and subtlety for casting, bite detection, and playing fish.
The length and strength of your feeder rod should largely be determined by how far you need to cast, what you are casting, and the size of fish you are after.
Hopefully, this article has informed you of the considerations and features to look for when picking the best feeder rod for your specific circumstances and I hope you find the perfect feeder rod that catches you loads of fish for many years to come.
Thanks for reading.
Tight Lines!
If you need any fishing tackle, check out one of my recommended online tackle shops...
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