So I created a fish feeder.

Check out the video to see all the details behind the build.

The goal of this fish feeder was to try and attract more fish to our backyard canal. We are in Central Florida and our canal feeds into the St. John's River. Unfortunately, our canal suffers from having wash out from culverts and creeks from other properties that bring in sand and other sediment. This sand and sediment have led to a build up near the mouth of the canal that restricts waterflow to and from the river. With the restriction of waterflow, we have some serious stagnant water in the canal.

It also means that we suffer some serious water level shifts. When the water in the canal is shallow, it is not easily replaced by the higher level of water in the St John's River. When the water is shallow, we really only see tilapia in our canal. While tilapia is definitely a food source, they aren't the healthiest food source. While many fish are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, tilapia tend to be more rich in Omega 6 fatty acids. What's the difference? Omega 3 fatty acids are good for the cardiovascular system and reduce inflammation. Omega 6 fatty acids on the other hand, can actually cause the opposite. Meaning they have little benefit on the cardiovascular system and may increase inflammation.

So, while we see tilapia in the canal already.... We really want to target other species of fish for harvesting as a food source.

What I'd really like to see is an abundance of catfish. Not only are catfish healthier than tilapia (although not the healthiest fish either), but they can also be passively caught a lot easier than other Florida freshwater fish. Ideally, fishing in this canal would be done passively. That means I don't have to be nearby to catch fish. I don't have to be casting a line out and retrieving it like I would for traditional fish like bass, crappie / speck, or other panfish. Catfish have been caught by trot lines or bush hooks for a very long time. Putting out a trot line is simple and has more of a "set and forget" type style.

In order to attract a more diverse aquatic wildlife to our canal, I am attempting to feed the area with floating fish food. My hope is that the fish food will not only attract the targeted fish for harvest, but that it will attract the smaller minnows and bait fish that will ... in turn... attract the larger fish I want to harvest.

Another potential protein rich animal that may be attracted is the soft-shelled turtle. These turtles are more carnivorous than other turtles. They can also get very large. Unfortunately, they are currently illegal to harvest in Florida. It seems that there is a disease spreading that affects this particular species. The FWC has prohibited the harvest of soft-shelled turtles indefinitely.

To wrap things up.... I have made a video that shows my first fish feeder design. It cost around $30 at Lowes. It is simple. It is portable. It can be used for feeding more than just fish. There are some things I can improve which I discuss in the video. Hope you enjoy and comment below to keep the conversation going.