Free Spirit Hi-s feederlite 12ft

The thousands of feeder rods on the market span every conceivable scenario. From tiny pub-chuck models through to long- and medium-range bomb and Method rods, the list is endless. 

You might want to attach a minuscule cage feeder that wouldn’t fit over the end of your little finger, or indeed a massive metal-clad monster delivering enough feed in one go to last a canal match angler five hours.

Little wonder, then, that choosing the right feeder rod is more difficult than trying to mix your groundbait with treacle. So let me steer you on the path to a range of feeder rods so outstanding that its name has become a byword for performance, cutting edge build and faultless furnishings. These are the rods top anglers aspire to.

The objects of all this shameless admiration are Free Spirit Hi S Feeder rods, the latest of which – the delightful 12ft Hi S Feederlite – is on test duty. The three models – 10ft, 11ft and 12ft – are designed for bream, skimmer and F1 Feeder and bomb fishing up to around the 40 yard mark, although the 12-footer (available soon) has enough casting steel through its mid-section to hit in excess of 70 yards with only a 30g flatbed Method feeder attached. 

All three feature a sublime, lightly progressive action suited to small hooks and light hooklengths, although there’s ample oomph stowed away in the middle and lower areas to deal with bigger fish.  

Thanks to the best low resin 40t Japanese carbons, Feederlite rods are ridiculously lightweight, and as sharp and crisp in casting performance and line pick-up as you could ever wish for. Having fished with two of them over the past couple of weeks, I reckon the 11ft rod suits the use of cage, maggot, and 30g Method feeders at a range of 50 yards-plus. 

The 12-footer will handle 40g feeders and bigger fish, but both rods share that softly progressive action. They come with unique hollow carbon quivertips. Rated to ½oz and ¾oz, they will detect the delicate bites of skimmers and other silvers, especially with braid on your reel. 

Fuji reel seats allow more feel through the blank from the hollow tip, while quality anti-frap guides are positioned to make the rods less prone to reel lines or shockleaders catching during the cast and causing crack-offs.

Mark’s verdict 

Feederlite rods are soft enough to catch bream, skimmers and silvers on light gear, yet can still handle the odd bigger fish on light terminal tackle. The 11ft model is as good a short range feeder/bomb rod as you will find, while the 12ft rod has a similar action with a bit more casting clout. 

Perfection? Well, it’s close! The real design trick with this type of rod is to combine a perfectly cushioned fish-playing softness with enough crispness on the strike and line pick-up speed yet still feel sharp, fast, stiff and light in the hand.

For my money, Free Spirit has captured all these elements perfectly in its 12ft Hi S Feederlite. 

Price: From £299