[Which Alvey For Me?]

Well I ended up getting the 650c5 star drag. Couldn't be happier it looks as tough as nails and feels solid.

Will give it a run this weekend.

It's spooled with 22lb Platypus Lo-Stretch mono which I use on all my other outfits and I am extremely happy with.

[Drummertime]

thats a great eating size pig, well done!

[Blackfish Spot Parramatta River?]

I watched a youtube clip, some guy called chopper landed a nice blackfish at Balmain, thats why I asked.

[Finding Gutters On Beaches]

here you go.

[Calling All Port Macquarie Fishos........]

Too much fresh off the beach and rocks? Or in the Hastings?

Normally with the fresh the fish push out onto the beaches.

[Bait!]

I always find my local fish shop has great fresh mullet. The ones from bait shops don't ever seem to be as good. If I am leaving early I go the day before and leave them in the fridge wrapped in their newspaper and they are more then fresh the next morning.

[Finding Gutters On Beaches]

Circled the areas you should be fishing......

[Which Alvey For Me?]

Well my local does have some rods with those BIG wire first guides which I believe are Alvey suited and they are only about $100 or so I might grab one with the reel.

If worst comes to worst I can always get away with the rods I have for now.

[Finding Gutters On Beaches]

That gutter in the 2nd pic had me drooling..... nice shot.

[Calling All Port Macquarie Fishos........]

....... I am coming up to the wonderful PMQ this weekend for 3 days of fishing.

Any locals feel like catching up for a fish? I am staying at the cabins on the breakwall so night or day is fine. I would love to experience some rock and beach sessions if anyone wants to play tour guide or give me some pointers on where to try. In return I am sure some ice cold beers could be exchanged

[Barra Baitcaster]

I would be seriously considering a Daiwa Blacksheep. It'll work on barra and just about everything else too.

Perhaps even look at the Bay Casting Special.

[South Curl Curl Rocks? Any Good?]

hey there mulletmug!

I saw that nice gutter and was cursing I didn't have a rod and some pilchards in hand!

Will give it a go when I get there next!

[Finding Gutters On Beaches]

Gutters are quite simply the darker, deeper looking parts of the beach. The darker the colour the deeper the water.

Some gutters form at low tide, others at high tide. Some run right in front of you between the beach and a sand bank, others run from the beach out to sea.

Waves don't break over gutters, they break over shallow sand banks so a good way to spot one is a section of darker water where the waves build up rather than break or sections which exhibit messy churned up water with little or no wave activity.

The pelagics love the areas where the waves/white water meet the gutter and your bream and whiting etc love the gutter itself. I use a beach sinker or star sinker to hold my bait where I need it and stops it getting washed away.

[Snyders Gone Wat Now]

I have taken a liking to Angler Rods, I think they are great for the price and have a good finish.

Dont know what blanks they use but my 4144 is as sweet as they come.

[Rock Fishen!]

Thats some ace looking water, it smells of fish in there!!!

[South Curl Curl Rocks? Any Good?]

I'm no pro either mate, just love my rock and beach.

Unfortunately the southern areas are my specialty, I have hardly ever fished the northern beaches.

[Wet Weather Gear Advice Needed]

I bought myself one of those Team "Fishing Mate" jackets from my local, they have a special for $59. Guaranteed storm and water proof, heavy double stitching, hood etc. It has storm sleeves (elastic inside the sleeves) to stop water and wind going up your arms.

I fished in the belting rain all day Saturday and not even a drop got through, even around the neck area as it has a velcro section that cover the zipper.

Here is a link to their catalogue, Page 14......

http://teamaustralia.com.au/pdf/Team_Activ...ogue_LowRes.pdf

[Which Alvey For Me?]

I'll be matching it with my 4144 or 8144 depending on what I am chasing.

I really do like the look and inclusions of the 6500BCVRR. It does cost a little more, but nothing compared to a good quality spinning reel.

I will keep my medium mount rods rather than switch over to low mount rods, I dont see the need to spend money on new rods as well at this stage considering my others are still in great condition.

I think my best bet is to head down to my local store and look at them up close. I like the fact the 6500BCVRR has a drag system and the fact is has a fast or slow retrieve handle setup.

[Smallish Reel]

Pflueger do make some nice little reels for the price you want to pay.

If you are taregeting small jew you'd want to look at a 2500 size though, forget the 1500 or 1000 sizes.

As for the Daiwa drag comment, personally I have owned both Shimano and Daiwa spinning reels and both had sufficient drag systems. In the price range your looking at you can't really expect anything super fantastic anyway. If anything I find the cheaper Daiwa reels far better spec'd than the cheaper Shimano stuff.

[South Curl Curl Rocks? Any Good?]

king slayer...... would you be up for a days fishing sometime soon in that area?

would love to get to know the place better.

[Which Alvey For Me?]

I have been rock and beach fishing for quite some time but continually find I am dissapointed with threadline reels, particularly casting distance and their predisposition to sand getting everywhere.

I am researching my options with Alvey, and am looking at the 650B, with my main preference being the 6500BCVRR which I think has the best features for what I want.

Can anybody with experience with these models give me a little feedback on your experience with them?

Many Thanks.

[Blackfish Spot Parramatta River?]

Nobody out there able to share a little bit of info?

I was thinking maybe Balmain? Is that a decent spot?

[South Curl Curl Rocks? Any Good?]

Gotta love Google Earth!!!!

Here are the coordinates for the spot I saw, just copy and paste those numbers into GE and it will show you.

33°46'31.16"S 151°17'37.07"E

Is that Flat Rock?

Even if it is not empty there looks to be quite a long stretch and can fit many anglers.

[South Curl Curl Rocks? Any Good?]

Do the pelagics at Sth Curl Curlprefer a trip bait or whole pilchard under a float or with a sinker? I have no idea what the bottom is like there.

I assume there are pigs and blackfish there too in the wash?>

[South Curl Curl Rocks? Any Good?]

I went to visit a friend at Curl Curl the other day and took a look around and spotted some fantastic looking rocks at South Curl Curl which upon inspection looks easily accessible..... Does anybody fish here regularly?