Twinfisher 4.9

Ok, the cable ties will not be a great solution. You said you have tried electrical tape and understand why that didn't work. Could I suggest a visit to the local hardware store and buy a couple of plastic door wedges, Using a Stanley knife slice it into thin wedge slices, slide into the reel seat on the rod and see what makes it secure. Suggest it may be the top of the reel seat. Once you have established what holds the reel secure, use Araldite to glue the inserts in place. Have no idea why they would supply that size reel mount. Just asked about your size Alvey, as thought you may have been using a say a 500 model. Hope this helps. Steve.

From my experience, go for the C Tek - they just do the job really well.

That is all good advice, I have hooked kings and lost kings whilst catching yakkas. But if you wan't a 1 m plus, you need a big bait. A 3kg bonito is just a snack to a big king.

I fished South Avoca for many years and there is always fish to be caught. Depends upon your flexibility....... if the surface fish and kings are not around, the are many spots to catch blackfish and black drummer.

Can I ask what size Alvey you are using on the 8144? I think there are other options as to how to fix this

I have tried, I really have but I'm right handed and when using lures or fighting fish, with a left hand wind, it simple doesn't work for me Yes I may lack some co-ordination which I accept, so I still continue to change hands after casting, which doesn't make any sense especially if fighting a big fish, your stronger hand should be on the rod.......but I It's the best I can do! Steve

Kings can be so finicky on any day, but is rare they will ignore a live squid. Rather than spend $20 on Xraps, but invest in some good squid jigs, catch some of these critters, add some weight to keep them down and they will out-fish a lure on any day. Steve

Buy and fit a BoatCatch .....you will never need a winch again, I have no financial interest in the company but had one fitted to my recent boat and it is amazing.

Hi Fishing Maniac, One option is a plastic running sinker holder that you clip to your main line above your uni knot. If the knot is not large enough to stop it slipping down, simply use a plastic bead available from any tackle store on your main line above your knot. It will stop it sliding down. Another is the use of a simple rubber band, twisted around your main line above the knot, and attach your sinker to the rubber band - pass the rubber band through the sinker and then loop it back over itself. It wont give you a running sinker but I don't think that really matters. Steve

I would hesitate having the sinker straight down on live yakka it needs to be able to swim reasonable freely - at least a 1m trace. You dont want it anchored to the bottom. There are a number of ways to achieve this without using a swivel.

I don't think the witches hats are quite up to the task of muddies, you need steel, and mullet are a good bait - very oily Just my experience.

Just a suggestion, unless targeting Spanish Mackerel, you do not need to use wire trace for tailor. It will restrict your strikes. If using lures, a 30lb leader or similar with a 6 inch lure or a four hook rig in a pilly or garfish.. The wire will spook them.

I know, and easy to say after the event, but did you consider dropping a tailor down under school, as i suspect there may have been some more larger fish hanging around there.......especially kingfish.....there are only so many tailor you can smoke or eat. Steve

So if we didn't have enough challenges with fishing - opportunity, weather, tides and locations. We simply do not need these idiots in IRB's. They may have banned the Jetskees from SH but there are too many inconsiderate people on small recreational vessels (like RIBS) who do not have the slightest respect for others. I doubt that Minister Gay will ever take up this cause. Am sorry that you fell victim to these idiots. Steve

What a great experience. I am currently in California and took a short trip to Puerto Vallarta in April this year. The best I could do was a 4 hour charter and without going more than 2 km off-shore there were fish, porpoise and whales everywhere. I feel embarrassed to show my catch, in comparison. It is called a Jack Fish which seems like a cross between a Kingfish and a GT and do they pull hard. Can highly recommend the place. However my experience in returning to the US was not so good. Was sent for a secondary interview, due to a 22 day overstaying my visa due to a medical issue. Was placed on "parole" and given 14 days to leave the US. Am still fighting this case but be very careful when you come to the US. Unless you are Mexican! Steve

In your opinion which I shall respect. You can ignore science if you so choose.

I know that "common sense" is not that common. But legislation is not, nor ever will be the answer. I started fishing the rocks at the age of 14 and joined a fishing club and learned so much, Yes have been bowled over a few times but at all times knew that I could not be washed in, there was plenty of flat rock ledge behind me. On one occasion in a difficult location, I jumped into a rock pool 6ft deep, submerged and let the swell just go over the top of me. Not recommended but hey, it worked. Had I been wearing a life jacket, the result may have been very different!

Hi PM79, Just to clarify, a Black Light is a UV-A Light which is more concentrated than from any other light source. Natural sunlight does radiate UV-A but not in intense amounts. A torch does not emit UV-A, The effect may not be great to our eyes but squid have much better eyesight than us.

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. The more expensive ones have a better texture/ feel that the squid will hang onto and and will last a lot longer. Buy a black light to illuminate your jig - it will increase your success.

Braid is fine with downriggers, but you need to keep a constant watch on your sounder. Not sure why you need an 8 to 10l lbs bomb- 4 to 6 should be adequate? At least for in shore / headland use.

Hi Yowie, I think that was an unfair and unreasonable comment. We all don't have the ability of choosing what day of the week we go on to the water. We would all love to retire, but not possible for most of us. Glad it "keeps you sane". Steve

Despite your boss, Tunks is fine solo during the week. PS he is monitoring your posts and emails!

I'm sorry but have tried salmon every-which way and apart from fish cakes, would prefer to release them.

Depends on where you live, if on the North Shore. Little Manly Beach, not a great ramp and little parking, but a quick trip to the Peak.

No it's not your stupidity! Not sure of the size of your boat nor the weight on the jockey wheel From you pics it looks like it has seen better days.......perhaps bite the bullet and replace it. Compared with the cost of your boat, probably good insurance and will make your life easier!