Feeder cages catch on

When soaking a bait, the use of berley to bring the fish to your offering will improve your chances. This is where feeder cages are a boon. Not only do they bring fish to the area, but directly to your hook!

Feeder cages (usually small, plastic and cylindrical, as pictured) filled with berley are a clever idea. Feeder cages are incorporated into the rig you are using, replacing the traditional sinker.

As a fish takes your bait and swims off they in effect hook themselves against the weight of the feeder. This is a great bait-fishing technique which works effectively on a host of species. So far for me they includes trout, carp, roach, bream, flathead, whiting and trevally. Feeder cages sure work well on bottom-dwelling fish.

If you’re an accurate caster with a feeder cage, you are able to target distinct and specific zones, laying down a concentrated and enticing smorgasbord sure to attract enquiries.

Feeder cages come in all different shapes and sizes. This is significant when extra weight is needed for greater depths or to cast greater distances. It also allow for regulation of berley quantities.

Importantly, choose a feeder cage that suits your fishing situation. Water depth, casting distance and water movement will all influence your decision as well as the rate and amount of berley you want delivered.

Open-ended cage feeders, which have no top and bottom, will allow berley to leave more quickly, so use them in shallow water with slow or no flow.

Block-end cage feeders are enclosed at the ends, allowing your berley to be more securely contained. Slow berley dispersal is particularly useful in faster running current or river scenarios or deeper water where the berley can be washed away too quickly.

If fishing a feeder cage, wind your reel handle until you feel line tension against the weight of the feeder cage (as you would with a traditional sinker). The bite may be different than you expect so be on top of your game for the strike.

With fish attracted directly around your line, expect ‘false bites’ when fish contact the main line. Distinguishing between these touches will result in the greatest success and have you hooking up more often.

Yours in fishing,
Paul Worsteling