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Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 44
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OP
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 44 |
Looking for a quality fish feeder, any recomendations !
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
Only one is really "quality...that would be Texas Hunter Fish Feeders.
Many retail outlets sell consumer grade, which are great, but pond managers and others of us "in the business" sell an upgraded version that is even better.
You can almost count on any other brand, other than TH, to need repairs in the first year.
Many feeder owners here will confirm the TH quality, and nightmares with other brands...
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
I agree Rainman, the TH feeder really performs well and will outlast the others.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
Also agree; and the price isn't really all that much more than the rest.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300 |
Hook, I agree with what's been said about TH directional feeders. Next to hand throwing, they're the most reliable directional feeder option.
They're having a sale as we speak.
AL
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,904 Likes: 109
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,904 Likes: 109 |
I tried a aqua Pro, it was a few hundred dollars less than the Texas Feeder. It's needed repairs during year one, (wiring harness) it's also jammed several times, and does not throw as far and as wide as the Texas Feeder. I think you can tell I would have made a different decision if I had a do over. When you factor in the price of feed, the cost of the feeder isn't worth the savings. Just my opinions, of course.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596 Likes: 28
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596 Likes: 28 |
My TH is over a year old and used every single day and has never missed a beat!!!
Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 44
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OP
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 44 |
Thanks for the info, TH and Sweeney are the two in looking at. Just can't decide which one to choose.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Called Sweeney two days ago, got voicemail which was weird, left contact info still no call. Product durability and customer service I recommend TH hands down. I'll let you know if u ever hear from Sweeney folks - thinking they might be bare bones staff?
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
Hall of Fame 2015 Lunker
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Hall of Fame 2015 Lunker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692 |
Called Sweeney two days ago, got voicemail which was weird, left contact info still no call. Product durability and customer service I recommend TH hands down. I'll let you know if u ever hear from Sweeney folks - thinking they might be bare bones staff? TJ, no clue on the feeders, but do know for a fact that TH conformal coats all of their electronics, and that's huge!!!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Chris Blood is a cool cat, too...throw my support to TH whenever I can and all my clients buy them and them only. I was interested in learning more about Sweeney and their ability to throw the newly designed and smaller AM LMB pellet, but again, still nothing.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,655 Likes: 1
Ambassador Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Ambassador Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,655 Likes: 1 |
Called Sweeney two days ago, got voicemail which was weird, left contact info still no call. Product durability and customer service I recommend TH hands down. I'll let you know if u ever hear from Sweeney folks - thinking they might be bare bones staff? I have three Sweeney feeders and am happy with them. The oldest two are probably 6 or 8 years old. I got water on one of the timers display screens over the winter and now I can't read all of the numbers. I called Sweeney about a week ago and left a message -- No response -- then called again yesterday and left a stronger "I need to talk to you" message. Within an hour a woman called, I think her name was Lisa. She indicated she had been called away on family issues and apparently no one covered her phone calls. She was very apologetic and promptly helped me with my problem. (Since it was long out of their warranty, I bought a new timer and she gave me a $25.00 discount. I am not necessarily campaigning for Sweeney, as I know they seem to have had business related issues a couple of years ago, but getting a replacement part that even works on a 6 or 8 year old electronic item is remarkable in this day and age.
"I love living. I have some problems with my life, but living is the best thing they've come up with so far." � Neil Simon,
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Bing, you've obviously got the magic touch I lack!
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 44
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OP
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 44 |
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2 |
Considering upgrading to a TH directional feeder and was wondering how varmint proof they are. I'm using a TH game feeder mounted to a barrel at the end of a pier with a slew of MAcGyver devices to try to keep them from reaching the spinner. But they still disturb it enough to cause a lot of feed loss at times most of which probably just falls into the water at night and doesn't get eaten by mammal or fish.
The feeder motor has worked without fail for over a year now so I know TH is a reliable feeder (tried a different brand first and it clogged up the first week) but havent been able to find much info on how effective they are at keeping the fur bearers out and also not losing feed. Would love to hear some real world experiences before investing that kind of cash only to be disappointed. Thanks
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Buy TH with confidence. I don't believe design allows for coons to reach in and get food never had an issue and I have legions of them.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152
Fingerling
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Fingerling
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152 |
But TH with confidence. I don't believe design allows for coons to reach in and get food never had an issue and I have legions of them. I agree with TJ. I have found them on top but never seen them get any feed out.
Good land management is an extended learning experience-Aldo Leopold
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
But TH with confidence. I don't believe design allows for coons to reach in and get food never had an issue and I have legions of them. I agree with TJ. I have found them on top but never seen them get any feed out. I've had two TH feeders out for months amid coons, birds, and dogs without any problems whatsoever. Very reliable. Only possible problem might be if feeder was too far from water so that some feed spilled on ground, but if you are within 5 feet or so I don't see it happening.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
I have coon tracks all around and on mine. They've never harmed it or gotten in. However, I have clip locks on all of the latches.
Even hogs haven't been able to whip it. I'd TPost it and wire it pretty well.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 04/21/16 06:56 AM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
I have to say I have had little to no problems with the 3 TH feeders. But every once in a while it will clog up due to some of the fish food is stuck together making a very large pellet.
Tracy
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012
Hall of Fame
Junior Member
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Hall of Fame
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012 |
I have had coon footprints on my TH but never an issue. I used to get ants in my hanging feeders but haven't had that issue with the TH either. Had it for over 6 months now and never clogged or had any interruption is service. I'm very happy with it because I don't have to think about it except to fill periodically.
1 ac pond LMB, BG, RES, CC
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2 |
Thanks guys. Really appreciate the info.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
DJ, I have some fire ant beds on the little peninsula where I have my feeder; one within about 6 ft. I have no idea why they aren't getting into the feed.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,314 Likes: 300 |
Tracy, about every 3rd or 4th fill, I throw food until the feeder's empty and check it for clumped food. Moisture in general is a problem for any feeder, but especially those that throw processed food.
The only place I've ever had a leak with a TX Hunter feeder is at the sight windows, and they're a quick easy fix.
AL
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
Thanks Al, the problem I will have is an occasional bag of fish food that has @ one time or another had some moisture in the sk of food. I will find a few moldy balls as I open and add it to the feeder. Picking all out that I can, I will still get some large enough to clog up the feeder. This does not happen very often and I have no idea where or how the fish food gets moisture in it, I keep all my food in dry storage.
Thanks for the guidance Al
Tracy
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
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