There
are two reasons for making
your own swimfeeders; saving
money and getting something
that can't be found in the
shops. If you fish big snaggy
rivers then both reasons can
apply as large feeders weighing
over four ounces are hard
to come by in the shops and
can be lost in numbers on
some venues. There are a number
of ways of making feeders
- this is how I do it.
Find
a supply of plastic tubing
that suits your needs. Clear
plastic looks professional
but coloured works just as
well. Anything from the stuff
that pole top sections are
stored in to waste pipe from
B&Q can be used. The tubes
that go in golf bags are particularly
good. When you start looking
you'll be surprised what can
be pressed into service!
Cut
the tube into whatever lengths
you require with a hacksaw.
I prefer to make all my feeders
the same length, and use a
jig to do so. If I want smaller
or larger feeders I use tube
of a different diameter. If
you like you can drill holes
in the tube to speed the release
of your feed, but it is not
essential. Get the groundbait
mix right and it will release
without the holes in the side.
The
next step is to add weight.
The simplest way is to acquire
some lead flashing and cut
it into strips about 15mm
wide. This is fine for weights
up to two or three ounces,
simply wrapping the lead strip
round the feeder. For attaching
the feeder to the end rig
a cycle inner tube can be
cut up to provide short, strong,
bands with a width of 3 or
4mm. Pass the lead through
one of these bands when attaching
it to the plastic tube. These
are surprisingly strong, and
provide a cushion effect on
the cast.
For
heavier feeders you really
need to mould up some add-on
weights. Simple moulds can
be carved from a block of
hardwood and strapped to the
feeders with the lead strip,
held in place with another
inner tube band or even taped
on. Commercially made moulds*
are the best option though.
Using
a commercial mould it is easy
to knock out a lot of leads
in a range of sizes (I keep
it simple by making just two
sizes) that will fit a standardised
feeder length. The tube can
either be cut to a length
that fits the leads, or longer
to deliver more bait on each
cast. If you go for longer
feeders then a slot can be
cut using a Dremel drill or
similar tool to take one of
the fold-over arms of the
lead. This makes a feeder
that has the weight concentrated
towards it's bottom end and
might just fly a bit more
smoothly on the cast. With
this style of feeder the attachment
to the rig is achieved by
drilling a small hole at the
opposite end to the lead for
a link clip (or paper-clip)
to pass through.
*
Currently (August 2009) I
know of no supplier of these
lead moulds. As of January
2012 I have alternative feeder
moulds available at DLST.