Method Feeder V PVA Bags - Which is BEST?

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Method Feeder V PVA Bags - Which is BEST?
For this latest carp fishing episode we head to Suffolk Waterpark, a lake which has been very kind to us through the years, but one we haven't visited for far too long. The aim of the session was to compare two very popular carp fishing tactics, to see what performed best (PVA Bag fishing and method feeder fishing) AND of course, have an enjoyable day and hopefully catch a few fish along the way.
To find out a exactly how we got on and what method came out on top, then watch the latest episode from the waters edge…
As usual we hope you enjoy it and any feedback is always much appreciated.
Tight Lines
From The Waters Edge TV
Other links
Predator Tackle - www.foxrage.com
Match Tackle - www.fishmatrix.co.uk
#Carp #CarpFishing #fishing

[@frankshepherd645]

Good idea for a test but it was testing a presentation for two different techniques. The method feeder is designed to be used with the method technique where the fish are fed each cast on the same spot when the feeder enters the water. The way the method feeder is designed to work is to cast to the spot and wait no longer than a few minutes then retrieve, reload and recast. Leaving the method feeder out more than a few minutes when you know there are fish about, as in the situation you were testing, meant that the feed was washed off the feeder and the bait so was less likely to result in a bite and should have been retrieved and recast. You had already laid out bait to attract the fish with the spod so either presentation would work on the area maybe one more than the other on the day, but in a match you would catch more on the method feeder because it would be faster. Just to add a further point to address the point made that the method feeder may not have hit the bottom with the bait and feed presented properly as applies to any cast with any method it’s important to soften the impact on the waters surface by slowing its approach just as it gets over the spot. If the method feeder is loaded properly and the bait is buried deep under the feed it will be presented properly and will result in a bite. To check reel back in directly to feeder has hit bottom and you should still have some feed in the feeder. A PVA bag would overcome this problem but would be slower in a match unless you had a sufficient preprepared bags available. If it’s purely presentation that you are considering I would say that the PVA bag is better purely because the choices of bait and feed are far greater.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Well what you say is fairly true, although in winter the method can still be used and left 30,40 minutes and out of the blue the tip will pull round. We did cast to the same spot each time and fairly regular, but I do completely understand what you're saying.

[@frankshepherd645]

@@FromTheWatersEdgeTV I fully understand the aim of the test you carried out and was not aiming to criticise the test but to help explain the results. The only thing I would suggest changing would be to recast both after each bite so that the attraction of each presentation would be tested not the method.

[@whatshisface4343]

Also you used different baits! Love your whole setup from the rods to the filming, nice one

[@Cerashor]

Bro this was the best explication so far and made my decisions easier for my next cast. I am going pva rig next time. Thank you

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks for watching mate, glad you enjoyed it. 😊

[@johnbloor4376]

Being a match only angler you’ve certainly given me food for thought. Thanks for sharing! 👍😃

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

A little trick I've used (when I'm not 100% I'm fishing on a clean bottom) is to use a method feeder, but pop it in a bag. This could be adapted to a match situation, as it's far quicker than making bags, but ensures everything stays together and unfouled....

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

No worries at all mate, thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it. 😊🎣

[@beachcaster56]

Why not use both?? I sometimes add a bag of small boilies to my exposed feeder hook on a short hook length.. Pellets on the feeder...10mm boilies in a mesh bag. Caught me quite a few decent carp. Ok for short/medium casts. Best of both worlds :)

[@timwise4198]

Great insight into bags over feeder to be honest when you started the clip i thought the feeder would win out but I tried the same experiment with PVA mesh v feeder I found F1s took the feeder with the odd common or mirror over the mesh I'm just converting to bags and looking forward to seeing if I get more joy over mesh or feeder

[@daveclark2643]

I used to fish method feeder all the time but was never 100% sure that it had not come off on entry into the water or before it reached the lake bed! That's were i think the pva bags have a huge advantage i am now happy (in my mind anyway) that the hook bait will be sat in pile of pellets/bait on the bottom!

[@fishingsammystyle8682]

Pv1 binder 😉

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Interesting mate, it's so nice to hear everyones thoughts!

[@swiatu25]

I had that issue aswell. What I found is that if you prepare the pellets correctly and use good quality pellets, the you can smush it right down and the pellets will still be intact when it reaches to the bottom. I also use hybrid feeders so it prevents the pellets from breaking upon impact. Overall had good results.

[@henkspaan526]

Using a hybrid feeder will bring your pellets on the deck on deeper venues. A rail feeder is more developed for shallower water. Also making and keeping your pellets spot on during the day is also key. Both have their pros and cons

[@simonkjaeldgaard-greising]

Interesting. However, There are some things to consider here I believe. One is the speed and simplicity of using a methodfeeder compared to PVAbags. Re-casting takes literally seconds. If you fail a cast with a bag it is a lot more punishing. The Methodfeeder is usually meant to be re-cast quite often. PVA bag fishing for me is cast and forget when your'e fishing for a bite where it's hard to present a normal rig. Another downside with PVA is shown in the video. Rain. Fishing PVA bags in rain obviously render them useless. Rain is not always predictable as we can see. I think PVA bags all things considered has the ability to make a better presentation on the bottom than feeders but feeders has a lot of other things going for them.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

100% our thoughts on all the points you raised mate! Speed and simplicity and use in the rain are obviously two major advantages, especially if match fishing. 😊

[@newsmonger77]

Using PVA bags is slower and more expensive which is an important issue for me. Also the bags use up more bait material.

[@cheza7061]

As always a pleasure to watch. 😎🎣🐟

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks for watching as always mate and glad you enjoyed it. 😊🎣

[@bobnudd6879]

I watched something not long ago with Rob Hughes I think it was and when the method feeder hits the water 9 times out of 10 it explodes on impact, resulting in spread everywhere. That's why I think pva bag gets to the bottom an presents the best.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

I think thats what Steve had watched too Bob! All interesting stuff, nice to read everyones comments. 😊

[@jamesatkinsfishing]

Yes I enjoyed it, must give the bag a go i fish there from time to time on a cage feeder and it's made me think again, would love to no when you were going to be there i would of gone out of my way to come meet you two, coz your getting a bit good at making video's, very good shots and filming, Brilliant, would love to get some filming tip's of you, coz your like me when you make video's you have to keep moving around a bit, Thank you two,👍👍❤

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Ahhh thanks as always James! We might be back before the years out, so will be sure to give you a shout!

[@southgateclean]

Maybe on the method bait comes off and disburses as it sinks. Another great video.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Possibly mate, so many theories and nice to read everyones point of view. Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it. 😊🎣

[@gregmercer276]

i get the pva but i would only use pva in deep water my locals are around 5ft deepest points... i used pva bags for several years had and had 2 unused feeders until rain stopped me being able to... and for the liquid if you mix dround bait/pellets add flavour to that water or i have seen haze added to feeder before cast

[@ryanbowen5764]

Solid bag!

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Ooooo good shout! 😁

[@leejordan7252]

Great video. Does a hard pellet give off more attractions to a pre soaked pellet?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

I don't know mate... If I had to guess I'd say the other was round. Soaked pellet, is softer, fluffier and must be easier to digest?

[@weeeeee374]

Try the new leads by OMC, they are designed for groundbait. Just set up a normal lead clip system and try those maybe?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

I've not seem them mate, will give them a look!

[@gregmercer276]

I think the method will be quicker for a few reasons there is going to be the waiting time for bag to disolve a bag can hold more bait so less chance of taking hook bait Bigger food foot print when bag explodes And method pellets softened and carp prefer softer baits in my experience...

[@slothandturtle8036]

Hey mate, can you please tell me what rods you are using there ?

[@ph1zy696]

do you use shock leader with method feeder

[@julianthomas6899]

great video as usual! No way am I an expert carp angler, but I always try different techniques, say PVA bag, dynamite stick, method feeder, maybe switching all rods to one method if it is clearly the most effective, but I found day to day the best method varied somewhat unpredictably so there was no clear overall winner

[@lewishunt6133]

Well said 👏

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks for watching mate and glad you enjoyed it. 😊🎣

[@jacquelinehulme9761]

Excellent video BUT how are your rod rests standing up without falling over?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thanks for watching mate and glad you enjoyed it. We used something called ‘stage stands’ you screw then into the staging and then your bank sticks lock into them. 😊

[@thomassquirrell7567]

Gotta love fishing a solid at swp mega runs water

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Indeed mate!

[@lewishenderson8460]

Would sticky method pellets work better at holding onto the feeder than standard soaked ones

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Possibly mate, altho soaked pellets do usually stick well!

[@blackgoby1]

I wonder if the fish are more likely to spook off a method feeder (especially if they have been caught on one numerous times) whereas a lead is less conspicuous and more like a pebble or something more natural (and they are less likely to touch it while feeding on the pellets)?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

All interesting questions John! It's always nice reading peoples views, as there is no real right or wrong answer! Everyone will have their favourite etc 😊🎣

[@ettienneesterhuizen1291]

When my hook and lead is wet , my bags break before I finished to prepare a bag ....but I am new into fishing , mabe its just me.

[@paulellam6926]

So I fish two rods, one what I call my sleeper rod, and that might be a pva mesh/bag setup or along those lines, my other rod is a method rig using small pellets and fake pop up corn, I rod about with the method, to try and find the fish sort of keeps me active so to speak. Generally I catch more on the method, some decent carp too, but I can also use this setup as a recce for the pva bag setup and then put that into the right place, so the method rig is my sort of fish finder if that makes sense. It makes my day a bit more interesting too, and seems like I,m more active than the folk with 3 rods out who are getting zero bites, yes they may be after monsters but I catch many fish and some decent ones too.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

That sounds absolutely perfect mate, it's nice to be busy and to work away at a method too. 😊

[@francescosottocorno5697]

Che canna usi in questo spot

[@ald247]

Method feeder 👍

[@joes_outdoors7659]

What is the braid u are using please?

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Hooklink braid? If so I'll find out from Steve for you. 😊

[@garethholdcroft4130]

I personally think the bag is a better way to fish because you can get so much more attraction in a bag than a feeder, for example liquids; I always put as much liquid as I can into my bags.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Both have pros and cons, but I definitely agree with what you're saying!

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

I reckon the method mix was just getting wafted away by the fish, whereas the heavier pellets stayed a little more static. Or, it may just be that the pellets were more attractive and/or available for the fish...

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Possibly mate, so many theories and nice to read everyones point of view... More food for thought. 🤔 Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it. 😊🎣

[@dylanheath9315]

What’s the leader material

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

I'll find out from Steve for you. 😊

[@fishingsammystyle8682]

I only ever carp fish with a method feeder. I've had my pb of over 50lb on it, had multiple 300lb hits of big carp on it, plenty of times they've taken the bait within seconds of it landing an had a 30lber on the drop. You're recasting more often, therefore you're more likely to recast. It's hard work when on the fish as it's so effective. I do live in France though.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Nice mate, thats some fishing! 🤩

[@delwigzieful]

It all comes down to how confident you are whatever method you fish i laugh with all these carp guys barrows full of stuff it's laughable especially when i turn up just carrying a fly rod a landing net and a small bag containing small terminal tackle items .Then catching carp after carp with ease on nothing more than chum mixers and a fly which is tied using deer hair imitates a chum mixer perfectly.I can't tell you how many times i crack these carp guys up they simply cant handle it but i love it it's absolutely hilarious cracking these guys up .

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

It does indeed mate! Do what you enjoy and what you're confident in. 😊🎣

[@waynegarrett1614]

method

[@Paulforsilvers]

Mesh bag at distance, method, close in 🎉

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

😊🎣

[@nickcotton28]

cant see how this is a fair test when, the method feed is used in the same way as a bag, this isnt the case for most fishermen. Method is ment to be cast out a lot more not left there like the bag. That said my lad and i did fish today and he got 7 on bags and i got 5 on method but i had the bigger fish which i though the bag would have.

[@Gareth04100]

Hitting the clip hard on a heavy carp rod and line is going to strip the bait off a match method..no doubt. Maybe use one of the classic large 360 ball method feeders would be a better test.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

That would be interesting mate, taking it back old skool! One of the old coconut balls. 😂

[@foggy460]

Try using pva bags in the rain.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Very true! 😂

[@paularnold818]

Method

[@thomaswatts2230]

It was 7 5

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Was it?

[@whatshisface4343]

Depends what type of fishing you are doing, method feeder in my opinion shouldnt be used like this, its for busy fishing where youu would be revasting every 5 minutes or so

[@dimitarlapchev2902]

I’m putting my money on Method feeder.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Nice one! 😉

[@user-yc7ww6jj4w]

Unfair test... 10-15 spods is what caught them fish... Do the same test again without baiting an area and you'll have your correct results

[@KotoBish]

It is dangerous to draw conclusions from limited data

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

It's fun to think about the different scenarios and try to work out, or think about whats happend/happening though.

[@KotoBish]

@@FromTheWatersEdgeTV agreed, but it's nothing more than pub banter based on this "experiment"

[@danielbinder812]

Your loading the method feeder up wrong, the hook bait goes in last so it sits in the bottom of the feeder, your hook bait will be falling away from the method, no wonder the pva is catching more!!

[@newgrani3957]

pva seems more accurate feeding to me

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Thats true mate!

[@mikepruis7819]

Pva will win. Holding more bait

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Interesting!

[@aarondavies8486]

If you fished the method with exactly same pellet that the pva uses and casted the method more like your ment to fish with it

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Possibly... so many theories out there!

[@hugheski]

Maybe the method may have been more productive if you were recasting it every 10 mins regardless of a bite or not.

[@aarondavies8486]

So right mate you can't fishing a method just casting every couple of houra

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Possibly mate, yeah. A few people have said that. Although in the colder months when match fishing we wouldn't think anything of leaving a cast 20-30 mins.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

We casted more than every couple of hours mate. But I know what you mean.

[@Tiger4ever89]

Method Feeder = On season PVA Bag = Off-Season

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Good thinking! Love the reaction, as everyone has there own theories... one thing that makes fishing so great!

[@chrisfalcon9804]

PVA residue, no thanks.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Definitely food for thought! 😊🎣

[@vlladellu]

Lake bed full of method feeders and lines. No thank you

[@vlladellu]

Lake bed full of methods and broken lines. No thank you