Feeder baskets, Minimum Rating: 1 star & up
Feeder Baskets
Feeder baskets are designed to transport and release bait where we fish, attracting fish from a distance to the hook area. Made from various materials, in different shapes, sizes, and weights, they have become specialized elements of feeder fishing in recent years. Therefore, they deserve special attention and a clear understanding of the purpose of each type of feeder basket.
Baskets with a body made of metal mesh or plastic fabric are designed to quickly release the bait and particles. Some of this content is released upon impact with water and during the basket's journey toward the bottom. This creates quick attraction, even though it may lead to the presence of very small fish in the fishing area, which we do not always want.
Open-end baskets with a body made of plastic or PVC tubing, with fewer holes, better protect the content. They are used in deep waters when we want to bring fish as close to the hook as possible, as well as in flowing waters. Baskets with a solid body, open at both ends, tend to rise more easily in the water column during retrieval. They are therefore useful when there are submerged obstacles, pronounced ledges, stones, or branches in the area where we fish, which we can avoid while retrieving the rig.
Rocket, bullet, or distance feeder baskets, as well as those with circular weights, ring-type, are more suitable for precision fishing at longer distances or in windy conditions. Due to their position on the bottom, they are mainly used in still waters.
Window feeder baskets are used to carry a large proportion of particles, seeds, worms, pellets, and less groundbait. They have the advantage of a narrow profile, which makes less noise upon impact with water, a useful feature when fishing in shallow water or for more skittish wild fish.
Worm baskets are used to deliver mainly small particles, worms, or sometimes small seeds, without groundbait. They are heavily used in the cold season, but also in summer when we try to avoid attracting small fish with groundbait.
Feeding baskets encompass a wide range of basket types, characterized by their ability to carry a large volume of bait and particles. Since this large volume also means a greater weight of bait, the weights of feeding baskets are usually very small, allowing them to be cast with a wider variety of feeder rods.
Criteria for choosing a feeder basket model
Fishing distance: Baskets with lead positioned on the side are used at short and medium distances, while those with ring weights and those with weights positioned in front of the body (such as rocket or bullet types) are suitable for longer distances.
Depth of the fishing location: Baskets made of plastic with few holes better protect the contents upon impact with water as well as during the basket's descent toward the bottom. Metal mesh or plastic mesh feeder baskets will release some content upon impact and descent. Baskets with fewer holes generally rise faster in the water column during retrieval, helping you avoid ledges or other submerged obstacles without risking getting stuck in them.
Type of content you intend to deliver to the spot: bait, lures, seeds, or pellets, or a mix of these. For live bait, baskets with fewer holes may be more suitable. For groundbait, baskets that allow water to access it may be more indicated.
Time of the fishing session: As a general rule, at the beginning of the sessions, it is recommended to use mesh feeder baskets that can quickly release bait to create attraction at the spot. However, during the session, you might want to increase the frequency of bites by bringing fish as close to the hook as possible. This can be achieved with a basket that releases as much of its content only after reaching the bottom, such as open-end baskets with a body made of plastic or PVC and fewer holes.