Preston Innovations ICS Dura Flat Method XL

Preston Innovations ICS Dura Flat Method XL

When big weights of hard-fighting commercial carp are on the cards, or you are facing deep, expansive venues that demand a heavy payload of feed, standard-sized method feeders can leave you short of the mark. The Preston Innovations ICS Dura Flat Method XL represents the pinnacle of large-format flat-bed feeder technology. Engineered as a robust, heavy-duty addition to the industry-leading InterChange System (ICS) family, this extra-large feeder allows you to introduce a substantial dome of bait while retaining the surgical casting accuracy and flawless mechanics that Preston is famous for.

Constructed from an ultra-tough, one-piece zinc alloy chassis, the Dura Flat XL is built to handle the immense structural stress of repeated high-impact water slapdowns and grueling power casts. The defining breakthrough of the Dura Flat range is its unique, intelligently engineered splayed rib configuration. Unlike traditional method feeders with strict parallel ribs that can easily trap your hookbait or pinch bulkier loose offerings, the ribs on this XL model flare outwards from the center. This creates a wide, unobstructed central loading zone for your hookbait, ensuring it never catches on the frame and is always displayed flawlessly to feeding fish the moment the bait dome opens.

At Gerry’s Fishing, we appreciate gear that simplifies your bankside setup. Because this feeder is 100% compatible with the Preston InterChange System, the central stem stays securely on your mainline, allowing you to cycle through different weights, sizes, or even swap to an entirely different style of feeder in a matter of seconds—all without cutting your line or breaking down your rig.

Technical Specifications

Key Features & Construction

• Full InterChange System (ICS) Core: Built around a central tracking slot that allows the main weighted body to slide completely off the stem. You can instantly increase your casting weight if a headwind springs up, or strip the feeder off to protect your expensive carbon rod blanks when packing down into your holdall.

• Splayed Bait-Release Ribs: The internal rib geometry flares outwards, completely eliminating tight pinch-points. This guarantees a rapid, highly consistent breakdown of your groundbait or 2mm pellets, entirely removing the risk of your hookbait getting masked or stuck inside the plastic frame.

• True Weight-Forward Aerodynamics: The zinc alloy weight distribution is heavily concentrated toward the nose of the feeder. This forward center of gravity acts like a flight stabilizer, allowing the XL chassis to cut through severe crosswinds with absolute tracking accuracy at distance.

• Flat-Bed Anti-Roll Foundation: Features a broad, completely flat lead-plated base armed with subtle molded under-grips. This ensures the feeder always lands perfectly right-side up on the lakebed and prevents it from sliding or rolling down steep underwater clay shelves and margin slopes.

Where to Use: Recommended Scenarios

• High-Volume Summer Bagger Sessions: When water temperatures peak and large shoals of carp are aggressively competing for food, a standard feeder simply cannot supply enough feed to hold them. The massive surface area of the XL bed lets you dump a substantial payload of bait, keeping big fish pinned over your rig for longer.

• Deep-Water Glides & Reservoirs: The heavier 75g and 90g XL options are absolute lifesavers when fishing deep gravel pits or large reservoirs. The extra mass, combined with a tightly compressed bait dome, ensures the feeder drops safely through 15 to 20 feet of water without washing away or breaking up prematurely in the upper water columns.

• Long-Range Target Casting: Perfect for launching baits to distant island structures or mid-lake sweet spots. The aerodynamic shape eliminates mid-air wobbling, allowing you to hit your distance clips smoothly and group your feed with total precision.

The Gerry’s Fishing Verdict

The Preston Innovations ICS Dura Flat Method XL is a masterclass in large-format feeder design. Preston has successfully combined indestructible zinc-alloy durability with the exceptional convenience of the ICS ecosystem. By spacing out the internal ribs, they have completely wiped out the historic problem of hookbaits getting jammed inside large feeders. It flies straight, holds the bottom like an anchor, and dumps bait with flawless regularity. It is an absolute powerhouse of a method feeder that belongs in the box of any angler hunting big fish or big match weights.

Gerry’s Pro Tip: To get a factory-perfect, ultra-aerodynamic loading on the Dura Flat XL, always employ the “sandwich” compression style using the matching Preston XL Method Mould. Place a thin layer of soaked 2mm micro pellets into the bottom of the mould, drop your hookbait (such as an 8mm wafter) dead-center, and top it off with a highly active, sweet fishmeal groundbait mix. Push the XL feeder down into the mould with firm, even pressure. The groundbait binds the pellets tightly together for the cast, but the moment it hits the lakebed, the powder explodes rapidly, pushing the dense pellet base outward and presenting your wafter on a neat, high-attraction carpet of feed!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will this XL model work with the standard Small or Large Preston Method Moulds?

No. Because the Dura Flat XL features a significantly up-scaled, wider, and elongated footprint, it will not physically fit into standard Small, Medium, or Large Preston moulds. To achieve a perfectly compressed, uniform dome of bait, you must pair it with the explicitly labeled Preston ICS Quick Release Method Mould – XL size.

Is this feeder fully legal on commercial fisheries with strict safety rules?

Yes, 100%. When rigged with the supplied Preston In-Line Quick Change Bead, it functions as a safe, semi-fixed inline system. In the event of a mainline snap-off, the central stem allows the heavy feeder body to slide completely off the line, ensuring a fish is never left tethered to a weight. This complies with all major commercial fishery welfare regulations.

Can I use this feeder to present large baits like cubes of meat or big dumbbells?

Absolutely. Thanks to the wide-set, splayed rib configuration, the central loading deck has plenty of open space. It can easily accommodate larger, chunkier hookbaits like 8mm or 10mm dumbell wafters, large grains of corn, or substantial cubes of luncheon meat without them getting caught or wedged under the framework.