davester28

sensational report - well done!!! it's my ambition for 2008 to land one of these big buggers.

Great fish there, Andrew. Fantastic effort and thanks for sharing your info.

truly massive! well done! how old do you reckon a fish like that would be?

That's easy - go the Stradic 4000 as it's probably the best mid-priced reel in the Shimano stable that's proven to be reliable enough for kingy fishing. You can get the old FH model pretty cheap at the moment as they are being phased out. If you're after a more upmarket Shimano, then you can't go past the new Stella 4000FD. I have one arriving in a few days (hopefully before Xmas!) which I intend matching with my TCurve Power Spin. Will let you know how it measures up to the Branzino which I am fully impressed with. Otherwise, go online and get a Biomaster 4000, which I consider a superior reel to the Stradic at a lower price. It is virtually identical mechanically to the local Twin Power 4000, BUT does not have the spare spool or machined handle. You should be able to get one for about $200 incl postage. In Daiwa, the Tierra, TDA or Sol 3000 will do the job. I have a Tierra 4000 with 20lb (brand new, unused) which I can let you have a play with. If interested, PM me for details. It is similar in weight to the Stradic 4000 but has a much bigger spool. Otherwise, you could go upmarket with the Hyper Certate 3000 or Morethan Branzino. You have a good rod, so should match it up with a half decent reel.

johnno, 2007 ain't over yet!

is it just me or does anyone else find that comment really funny? expecting a little reel to match with a flick stick but receiving a monster instead from a well meaning rello ...

The Capricorn 4500J with 30lb will be far too heavy for the Magnum Butt. Personally, I would be using a 2500 or 3000 sized Daiwa reel (or 3000 to 4000 Shimano) with 15 - 20 lb braid on the Magnum Butt. Now, that would be an awesome outfit for harbour pelagics.

Great work, Mitch - top sambo! Not sure about walking around with crocs on a wet transom - I seem to go arse over tit regularly on crocs! Can I ask how you scored the filming trip? He's a top guide (and a funny bastard) and I go out with him semi-regularly.

For the 4500J with 30lb, definitely the Viper or even the bigger Godzilla. I run 20 lb braid on my Viper. I thought you were leaning towards the Rapala Braid Concept? IMHO, it's a better rod with better components.

Great work Chris! Fantastic day on the water by the look of it! bet the clients were happy!

out of curiosity, is there a specific season in which to target the kings at LHI or are they a year round proposition? thanks

mate, check out the latest NAFA Annual (the one with the hot chick on the cover ). it has an article on fishing Coffs

Handles 20 lb braid easy. You shouldn't have any problems with it.

congrats on a great 1st up king - very nice!

top report and top catch. well done, as always.

The FH is the old model, FI the latest model.

thanks for the great info FF, may have to give it a go sometime soon!

I have never fished for drummer or blackies either, so this is an interesting topic. Just a quick question: if you don't use floats, how do you avoid having your bait snagging at the bottom in the rocky terrain in which these fish are usually caught? Despite using even small pea-sized sinkers, won't the bait eventually waft to the bottom and get hopelessly snagged?

I have my Viper matched with a Branzino spooled with 20 lb, but the rod is probably a little heavy for the reel. I would agree with Red that the Certate 3500 (either normal, Custom or Hyper Custom) would be just about right. However, if you're thinking of spending Stradic type money, I would have to say Daiwa Tierra or TDA 4000. What did you not like about the new Stradics and Sustains??

Hi Netic, check your PMs. Not sure if I am breaching site rules otherwise.

Thanks guys, I just hope I can catch decent enough fish to justify the purchase. Then again, with my level of angling skill, I need all the help I can get! Ceph, not sure, what guides are on it. According to the Plat website: Fuji MNST type, LDB Titanium frame???

cheers mate - about $1200

I ummed and aahed, dithered and vacillated ... but when the Aussie dollar hit US$0.91, I bit the bullet, put my marriage at risk, and ordered it. Mr Suzuki was most helpful in every possible way and within the week, the mail boy at work had dropped this off at my desk. My new pride and joy: 8 ft 2 long, rated 12 - 20 lb (although, somewhat disturbingly, its PE rating is only 0.8 - 1.2), cast weight 5 - 24 g (perfect for unweighted Slug-gos), SVF Compile-X multi-layered blank (whatever the heck that means) and, seriously, light as a feather. I have bream rods heavier than this thing. A perfect match for the Branzino 3000 reel. Will be my new #1 combo for targetting schooling kings and other pelagics this season. Should be able to cast unweighted plastics a mile. May or may not catch me more fish, but as I'm boatless and my time on the water somewhat limited, wanted to maximise my enjoyment while I'm out there. Mr Suzuki offered me an additional "combo" discount if I purchased the Branzino reel as well, so I bought that too (somehow, justifying to myself that I needed another 3000 sized reel). Sorry for waffling, guys, just so excited I had to tell someone. Now, please nobody tell my !!!

Yep, the Bass Assassins and even Powerbait/Gulp Jerk Shads and big Zoom Flukes work well. Or take advantage of the strong AU$ and get the Slug-gos on eBay for about $6 a pack landed. I just bought 13 packs for $76.

Netic's already given you the good oil on the Braid Concept, which I also consider a very good rod. (I own the 10 - 20 kg model). Great componentry and I love the way it feels in the hand. However, you didn't really mention how you intend to target the kings. If you're planning on casting Slug-gos, other soft plastics or hardbodied stickbaits/poppers at them, then the Sustain 8000 might be a bit heavy for long sessions. For plastics and top water luring, a smaller reel may be the go. eg. Sustain or Twin Power 4000, Certate 3000 or 3500 (spooled with 15 - 20 lb braid) matched with a Shimano T-Curve Bluewater Spin or Power Spin (5 - 10 kg, under $300), Nitro Viper (6 - 8 kg) or Magnum Butt (4 - 6 kg, both under $300), Rapala Braid Concept (6 - 12 kg, under $250), Loomis PBR843 (12 - 25lb, under $400) or Daiwa Saltiga Dorado A-rounder 70s (4 - 8 kg, stretching your budget at $600 but you can take advantage of the very strong Aussie dollar and get it online for under $400 including shipping). Good luck and let us know what you do.