Nolongeramember

Wind a length of line between your hands and try snapping it. If it breaks just the same then the line is worn. If you can’t break it, then it’s your knot tying that is damaging the line.

I think an MX5 is a 5 amp charger right? That will do it. You don’t have to disconnect or take out the battery to charge it. Just connect to the terminals. If that is difficult, you can even connect to the main positive and negative lead ends from the battery, wherever they go to.

First, how old is the battery and how long has it been dead flat for?

Yeah, I’m thinking it’s something other than a choke problem because it should still start pretty easily without it. It’s not that cold this time of year either. I’m thinking fuel is not getting from the tank to the engine properly after it has been sitting for a while, or 2 stroke oil build up inside. Do a test. Next time you get it started, let the engine sit for 2 days. It will be stone cold my then. Try starting it and if it starts easy then you know it’s not the choke.

Wrong side of the bridge mate! You should have tried persuading them to just over the other side then you could have ate them.

It should last longer than that. What braid are you using? The last few ‘working’ meters need to be trimmed every now and then, but the rest should last for years. I have 5 year old Fireline still on reels.

My (normal) Albright knots get weak and snap where the mono leader enters the knot. Opposite to the braid tag end. The mono breaks. Its cause is the mono constantly ‘wriggling’ back and forth in the exact same position during casting. Kind of like when you get a piece of wire and bend it back and forth on the same spot until It eventually breaks. The Albright does not spread out this back and forth movement. It’s concentrated in one spot.

One question. If you leave the engine for just a day or 2 is it still hard to start from cold or is it just when you leave it for a longer time?

I reckon even without choke it should still start fairly easily from cold. Definitely not after 5 minutes of trying, especially in this sort of weather. I would check the general condition of everything, starting with the spark plugs and fuel filters. When you say the bulb is hard, make sure it’s not just old and deteriorated and actually hard from fuel pressure. I would try getting someone to pump pressure on the bulb while you crank it over and see if that makes a difference.

Normal Albright knots get weak and break after a good casting session from my experience. Because I like the knot, I have persisted with it and I have thought up of my own variation to make it last. The only thing is its too hard to explain in words lol. I have to show you. You will get plenty of other suggestions here.

You can catch them anytime but between late afternoon to early morning is the best. They are much more difficult to impossible when the sun is up high. Heavily fished areas like Clifton are more difficult again. Use no weight, just feed the line out for the best chance.

If I was to use a circle hook I would use the biggest size I can get away with for the species. The way a circle works, it has the best chance of finding a mark in the corner of the jaw with a larger size hook. The disadvantage of going maximum size is the fish has get the whole hook in its mouth so being big makes that more difficult. Like everything, it’s a compromise. As I was saying before, look up some videos on how circles work and you will understand and make better decisions.

Hi mate. I don’t know how handy you are but I would give it a go at bending back into shape. A little heat and 2 hammers is all you need. Or even no heat if you don’t have anything. One hammer to hold behind the crease and one to bend the other side back. It’s not too hard to do at all. You have a good chance of success and don’t have to spend anything. You can look it up how to do it or I’ll give it go for you if your not too far away.

Think about it... the more exposure the hook has the better the chance of the point finding a mark right? Maximum exposure is always best to maximise a hook set, but then some like to hide the hook as well to get the bite in the first place. It’s a compromise. You choose. Look up how circle hooks work and then you can make your own decisions.

I’m no expert mate but I know a fuel source (tank) has to go on the side with the arrow pointing in, towards the filter. So you take the hose with the arrow pointing in off, and plug in your tank to the same place. I would get a hose connecter that is detachable rather than muck around with hose clamps. A boat supplies place will have those.

Hey mate. I doubt it was caused from 1 time lending your rod to a friend. It kind of happens over time. Yours doesn’t look that bad. I wouldn’t worry about it. I have a few rods that have been like that for 10 years plus.

I would check the tilt wiring near the engine first up. Especially the points of the wiring that have to pivot or move when the engine is moved. They can wear out over time. Get someone to wriggle the wires while you try the tilt buttons. See what happens. Start with that.

Sounds like you are tying a Half Blood knot. I wouldn’t do less than 7 turns with that knot or you risk it slipping. If you are using stiff line and you find it’s not snugging down then try less twists. Just watch out because it can slip with less.

For deeper, use a swivel, trace and sinker to suit depth. Some live baits you don’t need any weight as they will swim deep themselves.

I think using line diameter is the best way to determine its strength and to compare to one another. If there are 2 different lines that are both stated as 10lb but one is thinner, you can generally assume it’s weaker as well. Don’t think they are the same strength just because the lb numbers are the same. What knot are you tying to the swivel? It usually gets caught and not snug down if you do too many turns. All lines are different. Try 1 or 2 less turns. It’s a balance with the amount of turns, from being able to tie neatly and not slipping. You still get the odd one and have to retie.

Squid have been very slow for me for a while now. Atleast you found some action with the small Kings. Should have tried one of the Slimies as live bait.

8kg mono should get you started for Snapper and small Kings. Same size leader or slightly less so it breaks before the main line does. Once you learn more you can fine tune or even upgrade your gear.

Compared to what they sell in the shop, leaving for 2 hours on the rocks you will still have awesone fresh fish.

Maybe, but then how do you explain why they are nothing like the fish you catch and ice yourself? I can’t think of any other explaination other than they are left out in the open.

Yep, I agree. Most fish after being kept on ice from capture are better to eat the next day.