TO SPOD….or NOT to Spod…..That is the question!! ;)

[TF_carpcruncherParticipant]

Should spodding be allowed in Matches?

How would you feel if some one was pegged next to you , and started spodding for the first half hour 45 mins of the match. If you didn’t catch would you put it down to his spodding.
A spod spreads bait more than keeps it confined.

Whats your thoughts on This??

Discuss~think

[TF_wildinguk]

hard one that, only ever spodded breaming in pleasure sessions.

Can;t say I see the need to half hour or more of spodding….seems overkill to me. 10 good spod fulls is more than enough to feeder fish over the top of…a spod holds a whole load of bait.

Accuracy depends on the spodder mind you. But surely, if one lands in the swim next door it’;s DQ time, as that’s fishing or affecting someone elses peg and ain;t on.

[Ben1Participant]

you can say the same about casting a massive feeder out loads of times i suppose. people will always want a winning method banned.

[TF_mrrbpoole]

I for one would like to see it stopped. Barston is one of the finest fisheries in the country with some of the best pole fishing available. Spodding should it be used extensively would push the fish further out than they already are. Spodding was used exclusively by carp anglers to deliver large ammounts of particle baits to an area in preparation (pre baiting)for a session. It has no place in match fishing as we know it and will turn a venue acknowledged as one of the best into a long range feeder venue which I think is the last thing we all want. Just my opinion.

[TF_FISHER-PRICE]

As with all things in life Lee it is a matter of opinion and it’s something I think there will always be a divide over.
I have my own opinion but I also respect those of others and whilst I accept that many tactics have crossed over from specimen carp angling into match angling, my argument would be, where do you draw the line?…bait boats?
Very objective post this, will be interesting to see what the general feeling on the matter is.

[TF_Nigel.]

I dont have any bans, i dont like bans, we only use AT match rules, and Barston is the only fishery in the country with no rules, and i am proud of that!~clap
I have seen a carp match on here, where they were spoddng for the first 8 hours, some had whole dustbins full to the top of hemp, pellets, milk, nuts, corn etc etc in it, one guy looked like he had fell in the dustbin by the time he had finished spodding, lol.
It really affected the fishing, 2 matches on the far bank that weekend, were the worst two summer matches i have had, with 14lb winning, all the fish were in the middle of the lake over the partical mix.

If spodding starts affecting results, and starts pushing all the fish out onto the feeder line, then i may have to reconsider.

At the moment, the rules will stay as they are.

[TF_FISHER-PRICE]

Fair comment that Nigel.~clap

[Anonymous]

Bleedin ell,we bring enough tackle to the bank without having to consider bringing a Spod rod with us lol.

Seriously though,i hope that this is just a fad of the moment as personally i wouldn’t want to see this method continuing in match fishing.

I have to agree with Bob,if it continues,all i can see in future is that it will take the fish out into the middle of the lake and the pole line will become obsolete.

On a personal point,i love Barston as a venue,i think Nigel has got the balance spot on with stock species and the beauty of the place is that the matches can be won on either the feeder or pole,which is a big attractor for me..If spodding became the norm i believe it would take the fish away from the pole line and out to the middle.It could become the dominant method whereby to win the match you need to Spod.I’d really have to consider wether i would want to continue going to a venue where this is the norm,it just aint cricket.
Food for thought ~think

[TF_justin case]

If its allowed in matches just get good at it or fall behind. Im not a massive fan its quite an extreme feeding method but if thats what it takes then I will do it.

This isnt the first time carp anglers and match anglers have crossed in tactics and it wont be the last,

[TF_Hillbilly]

It’s not carrying the extra spod rod that will be the problem but pushing wheely bins full of spod mix along the river side might bring a sweat on.

[TF_rocketFeeder]

Personally I think it’s a valid feeding method that shouldn’t be banned. Looking at it from a different viewpoint you could say that everyone feeding the pole line stops the fish reaching the feeder line ~think

[TF_allyParticipant]

If the pole anglers cant be bothered to throw enough bait in, fair play to the spodder. Mind you a bait limit may be sensible other wise you go back to most bait wins. Any one see the Anglers mail and the place running top set only matches?

[doddy65Participant]

Nigel mentions above that Barston matches are run to AT model match rules. Where do Rocket Feeders stand within these rules? Whilst not having fished a great deal of matches often wondered and never asked if these are allowed.

[TF_Cutnut]

Maybe the size of spod should be restricted and the match run to ICANSPOD (International Committee Allowing Numerous Spoddings Piling Out Dustbinfuls)

It will change the feeding habits of the fish and it will eventually mean that the areas heavily spodded will either be the only place to catch fish or if the lake is unable to cope with the breakdown of the mixes that the water quality may begin to suffer.

I’m very surprised that anyone allows Milk to be used as this is considered a pollutant and deprives the water of oxygen. I daresay on a large lake it may not make much impact if one angler is using it but on the average 2 acre stuffed pools it could be very detrimental.

I’m not against the method, but I can see where it might lead and it could ruin a very well balanced fishery where you currently have a chance to compete with pole or feeder, then again it might blow out. I wait to see.

[TF_Cutnut]

@doddy65 wrote:

Nigel mentions above that Barston matches are run to AT model match rules. Where do Rocket Feeders stand within these rules? Whilst not having fished a great deal of matches often wondered and never asked if these are allowed.

Rocket feeders are floating cage feeders in essence, who has said where a feeder has to stay in the water? The only time they might be barred is a float only no feeder match.

[TF_carpmagicParticipant]

To be fair, two people that i know of did it at barston on sunday. One caught off a decent peg where he would have expected to catch anyway. The other caught very little off a relatively poor draw for fishing the feeder. Im not personally convinced that spodding at barston gives you any advantage at all. The danger of course is that lots of anglers will start doing it and it will push the fish out from the bank as has happened on other waters.

[doddy65Participant]

As Steve has mentioned does spodding really make a difference? My personal view is that in the general spirit of match fishing it should not be allowed, but there are always guys that are going to push boundries.

Would the guys who regularly fish pole and have to admit I don’t, even contemplate cupping in 20 large pots @ 13m at the very start of a match?

Just how much bait would you estimate the guys who are spodding are actually introducing before they start to fish over it?

Thanks for the reply Cutnut, on the odd occasions I have tried a Rocket Feeder on pleasure sessions it seems to be short hooklink and if nothing within a minute time to reload. If this was done continually for 5 hours then would suggest a fair amount of bait going in.

[TF_dave smiff]

Before i start, this is Mark Williams – not Dave Smith.

For those that are reading this and don’t know what happened yesterday: I spodded out seven spodfuls of bait at the start, one tin of hemp, one small tin of sweetcorn and a big handful of pellets. Just enough to get my swim going. It’s hardly spodding out a dustbin full is is? And, it only took my 11 minutes not 45!

Whilst i was spodding the guy next to me had three f1s, so it didn’t affect his swim did it? We were level pegging until the last hour when i had three carp and a couple of F1s for 20lb – i weighed 61lb he weighed 41lb. It’s hardly a dominating tactic is it? The day before i done exactly the same and weighed 49lb and didn’t even win the section, that was 52lb on the pole.

I se the spod as a way of getting a volume (large or small) of bait into your peg. No-one was moaning last year when the best tactic was to chuck in half a bucket of groundbait (about 4-5 kilo’s) at 30 yards and fish over it. Surely that’s the same but because it’s balling in and not something that’s supposidly – and shortsightidly – limited to carp anglers? Will you ban this next Lee? Or how about a large feeder? Or how about half-mooning down the edge? Or how about potting in loads of bait on the pole line?

If it starts getting silly then yes it needs looking at, but i have fed more on my pole line in four balls of groundbait and no-one cared than i fed in the spod yesterday?

My peg is in a noted area and i wanted to see if using a spod affected the fish i caught. It obviously didn’t and considering the weights it’s not exactly tore the place apart has it?

[TF_carpcruncherParticipant]

Hang on Mark , before this turns out into an all out argument , thats not what this post is about!!

You agreed that it was not a method that should really be used at barston as the efect it may end up having on the venue if everyone starts fishing this tactic.

However you quite rightly said , well its not in the rules that you cant do it , so I will use this to my advantage , and fair play to you.
As I explained to you , I just dont want Anglers going away Hacked off that they think there days fishing has been ruined by someone spodding next door to them . Why would I Ban the method anyway.. its not my water , but Nigels , and as he has said he will only Ban it if he thinks its doing harm to the quality of the fishing.

The post was put up to get other anglers opinions , and to see how they feel about it.

I would also say it was quite a healthy debate , that we all had after the match about this subject aswell. Please dont take this post as a dig at you , but I feel its a valid topic that needs to be discussed!

[TF_dave smiff]

It’s a tactic i would use anywhere, where allowed, when i felt introducing a volume of bait would work. 99% of bream venues come to mind. And as anglers become openminded to things from the carp fraternity it might appear on some bigger match fisheries like barston.

It’s just a feeding tactic. So what’s all the fuss about?

As i’ve said it didn’t affect those around me. Wayne to my left caught 41lb and the guy to my right weighed 16lb, but i’d argue that he didn’t fish the feeder right. He obviously doesn’t like spodding as he said so before the match started – something along the lines of spodding is for those that cannot fish the feeder! Maybe he needs to reconsider his thoughts.

There will be days when it works and days when it doesn’t. I’ve done it on three matches now but only picked up once and nobodies openly commented on the tactic before.

[TF_D.M.]

There will be days when it works and days when it doesn’t. I’ve done it on three matches now but only picked up once and nobodies openly commented on the tactic before

Hi Mark

I think thats the reason Lee is just asking the question ! ~think

[TF_FISHER-PRICE]

Hi Mark,
Well done yesterday before I begin and just in case Dave’s foul mouthed tyrade late last night was aimed at me, though I do hope it wasn’t, I can take an insult though I prefer them not to be via the internet.
Whilst I am not an advocate of the spodding method you used yesterday, which in fairness I did make you aware of, just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean my opinion is right.
I think those that try different things to obtain an edge in matchfishing should be commended, however as Nigel rightly says if it becomes detrimental to the fishery/fishing then it may be time for a rethink, until then though it’s probably best left as is, so good luck to you and anybody else who wants to give it a bash, though I do hope I don’t draw next to any of you too often, lol!
I don’t know exactly why the debate ended up getting offensive online, as I don’t recall it being anything more than a bit of light hearted banter after the match yesterday and even the more serious bits never got at all heated and were actually quite interesting.
Anyway, fair play to you, I quite enjoyed drawing next to you apart from the getting beat bit, I especially loved the giving Ken a hard time all day bit!

[TF_FISHER-PRICE]

p.s., and I am as guilty of this as anybody, sometimes we lose sight of the fact that for most of us fishing is merely our hobby and an escape from our day to day lives, hardly an escape at all if we are getting more stressed doing it than we would whilst we were going about our everyday business.
Sometimes we need to remember there are far worse things going on in the world and many, many folk who are far worse off than we are… sat there in the sun, at a lovely fishery with beautiful surroundings and nothing more to worry about than what method the guy on the next peg is gonna use in order to get one over on us!

Sorry, preach over!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi Mark,

I dont think anyone is having a dig at you personally for spodding at Barston yesterday,its just a thread to discuss what different peoples opinions of spodding in matches is.
As you know,i stood talking to you for a while in the car park afterwards yesterday and if you can recall,i said then that i didn’t like the idea of spodding in matches.
Ok,at the moment,it doesn’t seem to be having a detrimental affect to other methods at Barston as it simply isn’t being used by other than a handful of match anglers,however,my opinion is based on the long term affect as there is potential for spodding to gather motion.
We cant really predict what will happen,just guess and presume i suppose but as has been seen at plenty of waters with the pellet waggler,once all that pellet starts going out into the lake it takes the fish with it and usually becomes the dominant method to the detriment of all others.

[TF_Cutnut]

@doddy65 wrote:

….

Thanks for the reply Cutnut, on the odd occasions I have tried a Rocket Feeder on pleasure sessions it seems to be short hooklink and if nothing within a minute time to reload. If this was done continually for 5 hours then would suggest a fair amount of bait going in.

If you’ve been waiting a minute then you’ve waited 30 seconds too long.

Rocketeering is not for the timid, as for the amount of bait you get through it’s about a pint of soaked pellets an hour. When the fish are up for it there’s little to touch it. You must be single minded with it though and once you start you really can’t afford to stop. Plenty of spare prebaited hooklengths of various lengths and baits, stout reel with robust line.

I’ve used it at Stockton and caught fish to 18lb on pegs I was told it couldn’t/wouldn’t work. Wherever the pellet waggler or bagging wag is used it will work, which is most waters where there are pigs with fins that are competing for food.

[TF_dave smiff]

My foul language was not aimed at anybody in paticular. Just at everybody who moans. If I was going to say it to you I’d come at say it to your face. My names not Paul Cassidy I won’t hide behind my pc.

[TF_dave smiff]

This is Mark W again!
In no way at all am i trying to create an arguement as from where i’m standing i’m in the minority and i’m not prepared to battle everyone on this subject! I’m just stating the facts about what happened yesterday because i know exactly what happens when everyone is behind their PC’s and comment on the events having not been there.

Within a few weeks when there are more fish showing consistently on the pole/30 yard line you won’t be able to beat them using this style of fishing so i’m sure it will phase out. Then everyone will be launching in plenty of groundbait 30yards out but no-one will moan at that will they? Did anyone say anything when Tommy Pickering was doing it last year?

Something similar erupted last year at Earlswood where Mark Bartlett won a BW Masters match with over 200lb from an unfancied area on the spod-icopter. Before the match had even finished it was banned from future open matches! It seems that the spod causes a lot of issues with match anglers, be it with a hooklength hanging below or not!

Any developments with other tactics seems to be well-recieved if a top match angler ‘endorses’ it but if anyone else tries something different, and it seems to work, then theres a ban-it immediately attitude. No-one moaned when Steve Ringer won at Ferry Meadows doing it last year, and he wrote about it in the Angling Times. In fact i think most applauded him for thinking outside the box.
Just seems strange to me as it’s only a spod and done correctly it helps you catch more fish.

[TF_GLEBE1]

I wish people would start spodding at Mallory it might get some fish back on the feeder line,it’s been really hit and miss since people have started launching 2 trays of corn on the 5m line!!!!!

[TF_dave smiff]

Chris, that’s why Barston is so good because there’s anglers that fish a variety of methods and im sure it keeps the fish spread out. The spod won’t dominate as there’s too many anglers that go there fishing the pole only so the fish will never solely sit in the middle. Plus, i only chucked 60yards at the most yesterday. I’m sure people own pole that long?

[TF_carpmagicParticipant]

Mark to be fair i had the same problem at Ferry meadows as in most wanted it banned. In the end it wasnt banned and quite a few anglers kitted themselves out to do it properly. After all you dont need a state of the art rod and reel to spod effectively so it isnt going to break the bank. The danger with spodding is everyone will start doing it at Barston and if so it will keep the fish out in the middle for sure.

[pellethead76]

can u use a bait boat ~sick ~sick

[TF_carpcruncherParticipant]

@pellethead76 wrote:

can u use a bait boat ~sick ~sick

Mate you can but I have a submarine…so I will ask you..”do ya feel lucky…do ya”?? lol

[TF_dave smiff]

I’m sure they would still moan if you caught 100lb on the bagging wag and try and get it banned!

[TF_endpeg]

I had some success at Furzton with it last year and its possibly a better bream tactic than a carp one. It definitely intimidates anglers around you that dont do it, just like the current trend with all the bread being thrown in at Tunnel Barn. Its no different to a canal match when youre the only one balling in 8 baby’s heads when everyone around cups in three little jaffas!

All these things are done purposely to draw fish from adjacent pegs into your own – thats what match fishing’s about anyway! Its up to the match organiser/venue owner to decide if thats fair game or not.

Thats my issue with spodding at Barston at the mo as Nigel has openly said he will ban spodding as soon as someone wins after doing it. I cant see any point getting kitted out and turning up to do it and then be told its no longer allowed. I personally dont think it needs someone to win to justify banning. Mark’s 2nd place is good enough to show it can work in the right hands, so I think it should be either banned or allowed now and then people get on with the decision, rather than be kept guessing.

Wherever it’s banned, though, the rules will need wording properly as its essentially just a massive rocket-shaped feeder on a separate rod!

[TF_FBlues]

Sensible bait limit = problem solved! It’s not the method that’s the danger but the amount of bait that will be used.

[TF_punchcrumb]

My view is all venues are likely to be different in one way or another but i doubt spodding is going to be the in thing on most typical purpose dug commercials.
Problem being the amount of room on a typical commercial.
I was pegged on what i perceived to be a peg opposite an island point at the weekend trouble was the guy in the next peg also belived the point was his water and after taking the trouble to stand behind his box i could see his argument but in reality we couldnt have both fished to the point so common sense would dictate the angler closest to the main body of the island gets the point.
The fact that the pegging was far to tight did not help the situation, even with out an island feature feedering in open water can cause arguments about who can cast where , let alone spod.

[TF_andy cranes mateParticipant]

@FBlues wrote:

Sensible bait limit = problem solved! It’s not the method that’s the danger but the amount of bait that will be used.

~clap ~clap ~clap

[TF_Kevin Leach]

Keiths right, A sensible ammount on bait should keep it fair.

[TF_dave smiff]

Mark W again.

I initially thought bait limits would be good, and i mentioned it to the lads when we were having a ‘debate’ after the match yesterday. It also solves the issues of ‘heavy feeding’ on other tactics. But, the great thing about Barston is the no limit rule, not because you can fill it in but because it removes the issues of trying to accomodate these limits into your plans and monitoring them. Bait limits work in many situations but a venue like Barston would be very difficult to incorporate it into.

As far as i see it, it’s in Nigel’s hands and if it gets out of control then remove the problem but i cannot see a time when spodding gallons of bait will work because we only fish for five hours not 48. And, if it is banned then it’s time to get out the big, birdfood feeders!

[TF_Nigel.]

I did say i would ban it when it wins. But after our discussion Yesterday, i then changed my mind, and said i wouldn’t ban it.

UNLESS, it takes over, and turns out to be the only method, like groundbaiting with a catapult at Larford, or feeding pints of Halibut pellets and fishing the straight lead, many fishery’s have had to bad methods that dominate, because it becomes boring if everone’s is doing the same thing!

PS, i dont think it will take over.

[TF_FBlues]

Monitoring bait limits is easy: either pick 5 peg numbers after the draw and check them or make everyone responsible for checking the angler at the next peg. Would thinking about how to use bait and what bait to use be a bad thing? Are we not in danger of catching too many fish? 5 litres/kilos, every one different, would make tactics come into play a lot more than mindless chucking.

If spods are banned, all that will happen is huge feeders, blocked at one end, will be used. Or solid PVA bags. Once a method wins, more anglers use it, naturally. I think it took about 5 matches at Gold Valley for tea bags to become universal and when Geoff Ringer won at Earlswood it was 3 matches!

[TF_squatt]

Spodding, extra large feeders or Spombs is an excellent Bream method imo and there is nothing wrong with people pushing boundaries. However, it will draw fish to the middle if most/everyone start using it as a method. Bait limits don’t work, it’s either allowed as a method or not. But then does everyone have to fish a certain size feeder? What if people pull out a Whopper Dropper?
How many casts are you allowed. God it’s a can of worms. Good luck Nigel
~think

[TF_FBlues]

“Bait limits don’t work” Is that your opinion or have you facts to back it? They work everywhere they are applied in my experience. People soon stop cheating once the disqualifications happen.

[TF_Jon W]

Good discussion this.

Part of rule 15 of AT model match rules: “All groundbait may be thrown in by hand, or by use of one or two handed catapults, throwing sticks, swim feeders, bait droppers and bait cups, but no other mechanical means of projecting groundbait is allowed.”

I would say a spod is a spod, and not a “swimfeeder” in this context. Swinfeeders traditionally sink.

[TF_NW Cut Angler]

Excellent discussion

I daresay for many it is their unfamiliarity with the method, a method they do not associate with match fishing that results in some disparaging and ‘confused’ comments.

I think Nigel called it right that if it became the only method and catch rates suffered then he would take action. Keith offered a viable solution re bait limits and as one or two people have stated including Mark, it is not a miracle, nor does the angler at the next peg spodding automatically harm your own fishing etc.

We have these debates re bait/tactics time and time again; B&J, the method, pellets etc etc.

[TF_FBlues]

“Swinfeeders (sic) traditionally sink.” Only because they’ve got lead wrapped on the side and that’s not compulsory. It is going to be almost impossible to ban ‘spodding’ unless you restrict the size of the feeder/spod making it worthless.

As far as I remember spods first became popular in the late-70s/early-80s in the Darenth Valley carp world. They were made from half a Fairy Liquid bottle with a bit of coat hanger in the top to tie to the line. It came as the same time as particles (peanuts, chick peas and tigers, then mung beans and all sorts!) becoming popular, along with mixers as floaters.

When the new match-sized ‘Spomb’ comes out it will make spods redundant in the main as there is no drop-out.

[TF_Cutnut]

@Jon W wrote:

Good discussion this.

Part of rule 15 of AT model match rules: “All groundbait may be thrown in by hand, or by use of one or two handed catapults, throwing sticks, swim feeders, bait droppers and bait cups, but no other mechanical means of projecting groundbait is allowed.”

I would say a spod is a spod, and not a “swimfeeder” in this context. Swinfeeders traditionally sink.

And how many matches keep to those rules, or even acknowledge them.

Rule 15 clearly needs ammending, as no doubt it’s earlier version was when Swimfeeders started to make an appearance.

I wonder if a match sized spomb would be as effective though Keith. I see how no spillage is an advantage until target reached, but the quantity that a full sized jobbie delivers is probably the key to this method rather than keeping bait in a tight area.

[TF_FBlues]

I’m pretty sure that the match-sized Spomb will carry as much as the average size of spod match anglers can cast with a feeder rod only none will fall out, making the payload larger and zero drop-out.

[Anonymous]

spodding imo should be banned and it will only keep the fish further and further out, many waters have been screwed up with the pellet waggler and copius ammounts of pellets fired in.

What will happen is 2 or 3 people will be winning all the time as they will be able to fish the spod better than others, ENFORCE a sensible bait limit and that will sort em out

[TF_teabag]

@paul1962 wrote:

spodding imo should be banned and it will only keep the fish further and further out, many waters have been screwed up with the pellet waggler and copius ammounts of pellets fired in.

What will happen is 2 or 3 people will be winning all the time as they will be able to fish the spod better than others, ENFORCE a sensible bait limit and that will sort em out

The 2 or 3 people who can fish the pole, feeder or any style better than most will always be winning ????
Don’t believe over feeding is an issue, the chap in question never put out any more feed than most would cup in with a pole.

[TF_Snooty Fox]

Well Nigel banned it today in UK champs qualifier.

I’m through ~clap

[TF_carpcruncherParticipant]

Welldone snooty~clap

[TF_Nigel.]

@Jon W wrote:

Good discussion this.

Part of rule 15 of AT model match rules: “All groundbait may be thrown in by hand, or by use of one or two handed catapults, throwing sticks, swim feeders, bait droppers and bait cups, but no other mechanical means of projecting groundbait is allowed.”

I would say a spod is a spod, and not a “swimfeeder” in this context. Swinfeeders traditionally sink.

Jon, thanks you for finding that. I checked my copy of the currant model match rules, and that is all the rules i fish to here, and it nailed it on the head.

I had the UK Champs quilifer here today, and i read out rule 15, and then said thats says it all lads, its not my rule, its an AT rule, NO SPODDING! Not one person was even bothered!

[Anonymous]

Who was the lucky angler that won the 1k today Nige ?

[TF_FBlues]

So, if I invent a ‘spod feeder’ that would be ok? If it’s got to be called a swim feeder, when will you be banning method/shotgun/rocket etc feeders? Don’t get me wrong here, I won’t be fishing Barston because of time restraints, I won’t be spodding in a match any time soon and I fully understand why spodding is disliked but to say that a spod isn’t a swimfeeder is semantic in the extreme. It fits EXACTLY a swimfeeder description only without weight, and many anglers use swimfeeders without weight for slow sinking.

[TF_Cutnut]

@Nigel. wrote:

I dont have any bans, i dont like bans, we only use AT match rules, and Barston is the only fishery in the country with no rules, and i am proud of that!~clap

At the moment, the rules will stay as they are.

You don’t have any bans? You don’t like bans?
But you have AT rules that are a list of can and can’t do’s! And your fishery is the only one in the country with no rules and you’re proud of that???

Confusing or what.~think

[TF_D.W.]

Nigel, a spod is an unweighted baitdropper more than anything.

IMHO using a spod in a match is no different to using a large open ended feeder. Nobody complains at somebody putting out 20 or 30 large feeders full of bait, yet if someone does the same by another means, it is frowned upon. Funny thing is that the smallest Korda spod when full weighs less then the average method feeder (holds 2oz of bait) & can be cast with most modern feeder rods. Even the next size up only carries approximately 4oz of bait. 10 spods of bait could be anything from pound & quarter of bait to 3lb 4oz of bait. Most anglers wouldn’t even blink at putting that amount of groundbait in by hand at a start of a match on a pole line.
All the spod does is to allow for baits to be fed at ranges where they could not be catapulted.

As for pushing the fish further out, if everyone done the same with a large “coke can” feeder, the same thing would happen.

If anything, the problems arose from other anglers not having the required equipment with them more than anything else. The only other issue I could see with it at Barston is because the pegging is close, inaccurate casting could put the bait into the next peg, but the same thing could happen with a feeder just as easily.

[TF_Waveney One]

@FBlues wrote:

So, if I invent a ‘spod feeder’ that would be ok? If it’s got to be called a swim feeder, when will you be banning method/shotgun/rocket etc feeders? Don’t get me wrong here, I won’t be fishing Barston because of time restraints, I won’t be spodding in a match any time soon and I fully understand why spodding is disliked but to say that a spod isn’t a swimfeeder is semantic in the extreme. It fits EXACTLY a swimfeeder description only without weight, and many anglers use swimfeeders without weight for slow sinking.

The whole discussion reminds me of the ones that were heard at matches when the swimfeeder was first being used! Things will level out eventually.

There is one important difference between a swimfeeder and a spod though Keith. As I read the spirit of the AT rule, a swimfeeder is also a means of getting a baited hook in the same area as the feed whereas the spod is just to get the loose feed there. With a spod there is never any intention to fish a baited hook with it.

I appreciate that often swimfeeders are used without a hook link to ‘bait up’ even using a mega feeder like the huge cage one made by Nisa feeders but the tackle used is the same as would be used with a normal feeder.

Can’t wait to see the match spomb when it is released though.

[TF_FBlues]

Waveney One: At the first Carp Fest, a few years ago at Thorpe Lea, Jan Porter was catching carp on a spod with a hooklink. I can’t see the difference (except via semantics) between that and a bagging waggler; it’s the same difference between a block end and open end feeder. One of the match carp lads, Mark Bartlett, uses the spod with a hooklink and bait regularly in both carp and open matches. Spombs have also been used in the same way. To ban the spod, in my opinion, one has to ban legering. Any other means will be open to misuse because we all know there are anglers who will use the letter of any law rather than the spirit. The spirit of match fishing died years and years ago in my experience. I honestly believe bait limits – even bait-supplied matches are the only way to restrict methods.

[TF_redarmy]

coming soon the candle spod lol

[TF_streamline]

Is a spod not weighted?, how does it deposit it’s payload?. Yes it has a floating end cap which means that it will always empty the bait. This is technically the weighted end, it does excatly the same as the lead wrap on a swimfeeder.

To me the methods are one and the same, a container to get bait out into your swim.

As a soultion why not rope off at 30, 40, 50, 60m or whatever distance you don’t want the bait to be dumped in at.

[TF_dave smiff]

If it’s banned, then it’s banned. I don’t have a problem with that. However, I feel the Angling Trust rules are outdated and incorrect on many things. That rule mentioned would rule out many tried and trusted methods including the Method Feeder, simply because it only states Swimfeeders can be used.
So, what is the difference between a MAP Floating Rocket Feeder and a Korda Spod?

I think this thread has opened up a can or worms, far greater than was first expected. But, it stills remains to be answered – why is there so much ill-feeling towards spodding?

[Anonymous]

The fundamental difference between spodding and using a weighted swimfeeder is that a swimfeeder deposits the bait on the deck in YOURswim..The spod empties bait from the surface therefore has the potential of spreading bait if there’s a good tow on the water.Not good if the pegging is a tight affair.

[TF_FBlues]

And no one has ever cast a proper feeder into the boundaries of your swim? Every river angler that has loose fed has also spread bait through more than one swim.

One of the first rules of match fishing is: ‘Neither your bait nor tackle will enter another angler’s swim.’

[TF_dave smiff]

So would sinking bagging wagglers be allowed at barston Nigel? They are “feeders”

[TF_streamline]

And if your feeder mix is not the right consistancy then it will of course empty upon impact, therefore spreading bait about in the same way a spod might, and nobdy here has ever put a ball of groundbait in the wrong place either I bet ~shh

By the way, I am not a big spodding fan, having spent too many days sat next to campers who have spodded for virtually 5 hours non stop.

But little and often is fine and dandy, whether it be catapult, feeder or spod, just don’t abuse it.

[Anonymous]

@FBlues wrote:

And no one has ever cast a proper feeder into the boundaries of your swim? Every river angler that has loose fed has also spread bait through more than one swim.

One of the first rules of match fishing is: ‘Neither your bait nor tackle will enter another angler’s swim.’

I’d prefer to have someone have the odd wayward chuck with a small swimfeeder rather than a spodfull of offerings entering my swim.
Off course,i’d prefer it not to happen at all but not everyone is blessed with accurate casting abilities lol.

[TF_Kevin Leach]

A spomb sinks if you do not start retrieving it when its landed. Is this classed as a feeder? Its only doing the same thing as a feeder a bait delivery system. The rules perhaps need updating and making clearer. I can understand why they are in place,but then again catapults were banned until the rules were changed.

[TF_Nigel.]

Sinking bagging waggler, yes no reason why not.
I havent had to ban spodding, i just read the rules after it was pointed out to me that it was banned anyway!
I fish to match rules, model match rules, all matches should be fished to these rules, but i do have to have other rules for pleasure anglers and carp anglers of course.

Spodding is for carp fishing, as is using bait boats, sitting in bivvies, lying back on bed chairs and sitting a rod a buzzer.

I have seen spodding ruin fishing allready for match anglers, all be it by carp anglers doing it for hours on end, and if they were still continuing to do it, i would also stop them doing it too, but mostly the carpers call it a ‘boily water’

[TF_Kevin Leach]

I am not having a go at you banning spodding Nigel. Its the Angling trust rules that need to be clearer. Its your fishery and your decision is final, end of chat. Barston is one of a select few venues that are premier venues and even if you decide to stop spodding i think the angling trust match rules need looking at.

[TF_allyParticipant]

hmmm storm, teacup, its only a way of feeding and is very limited in its use, I will never ever use it on the Basy or the K and A and as my club has already banned it, as far as Im aware before being used in a match, due to aledged over use by some of the caRp anglers, I can throw a ball over half way on all their waters anyway, so whatever.

[TF_Kevin Leach]

It makes no change really to me. The massive feeders i used before are still legal to use.

[Author]

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