Here's a groundbait recipe for swimfeeders that I've used recently. I (rather, my daughter) caught a carp on it at Ghostie this week, and last Saturday I used it to catch five sunfish and six turtles, so we know that at least some water critters find it palatable.

Here's the recipe:

1.5 cup -- white bread crumbs
3.0 cup -- bird seed (soak overnight in water before using)
0.5 cup -- Graham cracker crumbs
0.5 cup -- dry molasses (or molasses meal; from the feed store)
4.5 cup -- corn meal
1.0 tsp -- betaine (optional)
1.0 Tbsp -- vanilla (or appropriate amount of another flavor)

Add lakewater as desired to achieve the right consistency.

This recipe makes a large batch (I fished about six hours with my original mix, and still have about 1/4 left over), so you may wish to make a half batch if you have a short session planned.

Again, I haven't had a lot experience with this mix, but it's based on a combination of the heavy and light mixes described by Pat Mills at bankfisher.com. He recommends ground hemp, but I substituted bird seed because it was readily available.

Read these articles about swimfeeder fishing at bankfisher.com:

http://web.jjc.edu/clubs/anglers/Ottawafeature.htm

http://web.jjc.edu/clubs/anglers/PolevFeeder.htm

Here are some tips based on my limited personal experience:

• Use a long leader, about 2.5 ft (or however much line your reel takes up when you turn the crank one time
• I highly recommend using several rubber beads to make an anti-tangle boom as shown here:
  
• Use a swivel at the end of the mainline to attach your leader
• Use a snap-swivel to attach the swimfeeder to the mainline; this allows you to remove the swimfeeder for travel

Thanks Brett for the links.

Great info!

Thanks!