bigpat

I fish with bream gear on the surf, heaps of fun. But for peace of mind, spend $90, and buy a Shimano Catana 902 Shorespin. rated 5-8 kg from memory. Nice and light in the hand being graphite, and the 9 foot length lets you punch the casts out, and have some elevation of the rod tip. Dad & I use them on the surf, and light rock fishing, and bang for buck, you can't beat them, I think anyway.....

Mate, that is a horse! We caught one like that at Lake Tyres 2 years ago. Using a 6kg rod, and 20lbs braid, this thing had the old man freaking out. They pull sooo hard for their size. Next time there I'll try casting Sammy 65's at em. Apparently they chase them real hard..... Great catch!

Bang for buck, I reckon the Shimano Terez. We had the jigging/popping rod (100 lbs rating!)loaded up with easily 40 + kg of force in the shop, and it took it. Very impressed. The grips feel really good too. For $250 you can't fault it I reckon. And they look bling too!!!!! After that, I only hear good things about the Daiwa Monster Mesh sticks......

For smaller ones I use anything from my 1-4kg T-Curve Flight, to my Berkley Dropshot Diablo, all on Stradic Ci4's with 10lbs Castaway PE. The Dropshot Diablo's are great, and are really powerful rods for their line weight. They aren't as tip soft as other flick sticks, but that works well when casting heavier jigheads around. My 2-4 kg (7'2" long)stick could be rated as 3-6 kg, honestly. Get one in 4-8 kg, and you'll knock over any snapper in the ocean, though I'd switched to 20lbs line on a 4000 sized reel then. For the price they are well appointed, with a split butt set-up so you can get the butt under your arm, good EVA grips, Fuji hooded reel seat, IM-7 blank (quick recovery), and Fuji SiC guides, for $195!!! I shopped around and found another for $120. Great bang for buck in my opinion. After that, I'd go with a 4-8 kg Shimano Raider or even the humble Starlo Stix...... Pat

Cheers for the feedback guys, you have put my mind at ease.... It should be fine for where I fish, as there isn't really anywhere for the fish to go, but open water. Be sure to post up your pics when you catch up! Cheers, Pat

Hey peoples, I've fished for blackfish for 10 or so years down in East Gippsland, and for most of the time have used a 10ft glass rod, 4-8kg (Wilson I think...) It was $110 14 years ago, which was big $$$$ for me at 17 yo. The old girl has has caught me plenty of fish, but after reading an article, earlier this year, I blindly bought another rod that the author recommended: Shakespeare Agility, 10'6", 1-4kg, light action. Fantastically light to hold (being graphite)with nice cork grips. Since then, I haven't had a chance to fish with it, but it does seem VERY soft, which is a little disconcerting to me. Does anyone here use one, or have any knowledge of them? Is it going to break with a decent fish on the other end???? Have I done the right thing, or should the old stick come out to play.....

I have a Proline 399, with a 30 Merc...... Mine is fitted out, so a little heavier than stock, but still does 24.5 knots WOT with 2 on board. Quick enough for me......... Pat

I abosulutely love Super PE. Smooth, and supple. I found it has good knot strength, and doesn't fade in colour. I have Suffix on my surf rod, and the yellow is almost white. Suffix is nice, but for the price I go Super PE Cheers, Pat

I'm not sure where we are going, but I heard about a structure named the "Wedding Cake"????? So would I get away with just upgrading the stick?

Hi all, I'm up in Sydney in 2 weeks to spend a day on the Kingies. I have an o/head outfit for chasing gummy's and reds down here in Western Port Bay, which is: Shimano Charter Special reel, spooled with 25 lbs mono, matched to a 4-8 kg 6 foot Pleuger Contender. I have been told that my gear will fold if I hook a half decent Kingy. After reading a trip report where they busted a 15-24 kg stick, I see that my stick is a lightweight, and I need something more gutsy. But is it the norm to spool up with 50 lbs braid to chase hoodlums? What affordable ( sub $200) sticks could people recommend? I only ask, because I may want to chase Kings down here in Vic as well........ Cheers, Pat

I use them, in place of a loop knot, to allow the jig to dart freely when jigged, and I feel it just makes life easier when changing jigs. Only thing is I think that the egg style of clips are better than the standard clips some use for hardbodies. They have a higher load rating for the same size. I wouldn't think a 0.5 gram clip will affect a jigs action, or diving speed. If you are after a slower sink rate, buy a slow diving model. Yamashita have a cool range. Just look for SEN on standard jigs, or choose a "Shallow" Naory model. The blue eyes denote the slow sinking models. I wouldn't cut lead off the weight, it will affect the sink angle, which is said to be important for the jig to entice the squid..... The Japanese Yamashita boys were in town recently, and offered heaps of advice to us on all things squid related. They also use clips.... Cheers, Pat

I always use flouro leader, 10 lbs to match my mainline. Been using Linesystem, now use the pinkish Sunline Egi-Leader. Very supple..... I don't believe flouro leader affects the jigs balance, as all the good ones dive at a 45 degree angle Squid aren't genius', but not stupid either. Sure you'll catch some with braid straight to the jig, but I believe that you'll get more if the jig 'looks' natural. I've also notice that if you pull a few from a school, they wise up to jig and stop biting. Change colour, and they start again, so they're not that silly after all....... Cheers, Pat