Twinfisher 4.9

Hi Ahab, what a fantastic adventure you have planned. Now I will say out the beginning, I'm no technician but I suspect the every 100 hours recommended service for 4 strokes is more about the average usage per annum, which tends to be about 100 hours , because oil does breakdown after time. Yes, in that case, you should change the oil once per year but if you are using that engine most days, as you will be, would you feel the need to service your car more than once per month? I doubt it. I would go for the four stroke, economy and silence, Cheers, Steve

I would go for the Sarca, even if you need to change your bowsprit. You will never have to change your anchor again. Best accessory I ever bought (along with the power winch). Love technology that really does make life easier and this is one! Steve

Hi Roylo, that is unfortunate, have you been a regular customer for some time? Unfortunately the consumer and fair trading laws cannot support you based on "changing your mind", despite the fact you had been given incorrect information. The retailer can always say that was the information he had been given and told you "in good faith". Having said that, any retailer who wants to remain in business, would without hesitation, accept your return and give you a refund. Would suggest you front him, politely, and explain that he had been misled and had then "unknowingly misled you". I find being reasonable and polite, at least at first, usually works. Good luck. Steve

That is a great catch in the Harbour. I have only caught one in the Whitsundays. One to remember and no they don't fight well - given their lifestyle, they don't need to swim a lot. Oh, yes, released mine as well. Steve

Hi LungFai, one thing to consider is that those other guys with their pillies were actually keeping the tailor there, due to the pieces of pilchard that fall off and is natural burley. When you have a number of bait fishermen together the tailor can stay for a long time. With a number of of people using lures the tailor will frequently move on. So those other people were possibly doing you a favour and you catching 3 to 1 is not the point, with respect. Steve

I think it is a combination of a number of factors: Trailer setup - but if you can easily winch it on, you should be able to drive it on; practice - do it with a mate in calm conditions and with a mate to guide you and lastly confidence, and that only comes with practice. You may also like to consider a product like Boat Catch which makes single handed launching and retrieval very easy. Have one and the ramp is a breeze single handed. Steve

How good are the above posts. It is not all about fishing and taking the time to think about what is truly important and then sharing it with others is wonderful. Who said men didn't have feelings? Feel privileged to be a member of this site. Steve

Burley on the beach is something that many of us overlook but it does work, just a few bits of pillie and anything else that will attract small baitfish. It all helps, a beach is usually a big expanse of water so anything you can do to attract attention to where you are fishing has to help but still finding a likely looking location and formation is paramount. A sand bank 60m out with waves breaking and with a gutter in front is always a likely spot. Casting to just this side of the sand should put you in prime position. Steve

Yes the move to on-line purchasing is growing and inevitable. That said, your local tackle store will allow to touch and compare the reels, rods or whatever and then the temptation is buy what you selected, online. Same story with clothes and any number of items. If you have an issue with the item, your local dealer will support you. Would you get that with the internet supplier.....possible but how long would it take? Personally I think a good relationship with your local tackle shop is the best value you can get and you keep the money in Australia. I know it's tempting to be seduced by the US prices, but I am a firm believer in supporting our local businesses and will always do so. I think we need to stand behind them, they are not trying to rip us off, they know the O/S prices but they still have a business to run and I would always support them. Dinosaur I may be, but I think it is very important, and not just with fishing gear. Steve

Hi Holls, the depth of the water off the beach isn't that significant, it's more where the predators are likely to seeking a feed and that will often be closer to the shore. The beach isn't Port Phillip Bay where different depths do matter. Steve

I use braid on my Alvey off the beach, the sensitivity difference between mono and braid is worlds apart. You shouldn't get tangles as long as long as you lay it flat on the Alvey. Yes always use a flurocarbon trace. Can be hard on the fingers though, surf casting with braid! Steve

Hi Jimbo, Whilst Silstar have a certain place in the market and are certainly value for money, I wouldn't fancy holding up a 10ft Silstar for hours upon end. Does it still have the solid glass tip section? Steve

I have a twin hull which does make it easier, with strong winds or tidal drift I can still approach at 45 degrees and still get safely on the trailer. I frequently fish alone (yes, that says something about me)! My previous 3 boats were mono hulls and and drove them onto the trailer. If your rollers are stuck, then even with the winch, you are making life harder for yourself. Maybe fix / replace the rollers and find a quiet time (during the week) and practice driving on and driving off. You will be amazed how much easier it makes your life, just need the practice and then comes the confidence. Steve

Honestly, it's like other subjects that longer (casting) is better....it isn't so. Learn to to read the beach during daylight at different stages of the tide. The larger predators will be hunting where their prey are, which is most likely closer than you think. Steve

I know this slightly off your subject, but have you ever considered driving your boat up onto the trailer and negating the use of winch strap? Once mastered, makes life a whole lot easier. Steve

Ouch, you could pay a lot of money for that in parts of Sydney! Oh, only hope he was okay. Steve

If you are confident enough, try fishing off the rocks, and where you seen the weed and cabbage, that is likely to be a good location. Picking it off the rocks and using it straight away will always be a better option. Just take care and take all safety precautions. Steve

My goodness, what a head......but the snapper looks good! Well done, congratulations on winning and some great fish. Steve

Yes waders can be potentially dangerous, especially at night. I'm afraid we have to suck it up and get used to being wet and soggy. But an extra few metres shouldn't matter if you find the right location. You may be casting over more fish than you imagine. Steve

Hi Poohbear, Blackfish are used to either grazing on the weed or cabbage off the rocks, Please don't over complicate this, just throwing it in as it would get washed off the rocks has alway worked and them getting an ice-cream brain freeze possibly will not help! Steve

If you are on this site then you are probably serious about fishing, so here is the good news and the bad news. You will buy a second heavier outfit and then you buy a jigging rod and reel and then...... until you end up like me with over 40 outfits. Still you could have frittered your money away on other things but invest in good gear and it will last you a lifetime and provide you with pleasure for a lifetime. Welcome to the addiction! Steve

Hi Adam, can I suggest a HUGE leap of faith.....don't take any bait with you! If you are serious about SP's. then you need to believe in them and I know what will happen if after 20 minutes of possibly no success, you will revert back to bait. Mate, stick with the SP's, having no bait as a backup will make you try harder, which is often what is needed. Also some vibes added to your arsenal may help. You need to cast in close to the structure with the lightest jig-head you can use. Do not give up! Steve

A good mate of mine, and this is going back 15 years, was for a time a professional fisho and his Evinrude had never been flushed with anything in the 12 years he owned it. In later years, no it wasn't used from one month to another and it never failed. We used to go out to Browns Mountain and it just kept on going. I think at times, we underestimate the resilience of the outboard. Steve

If you are into sashimi (raw fish sliced wafer thin and then dipped into soy sauce and Wasabi) then Trevally are are great. Nearly as good as Kingfish. Just a thought. Steve

I used to fish the rocks, Avoca and The Skillion and occasionally Devils Gorge during the 70's and we regarded Bonito (or horsies) as we used to call them, they were considered a pest when we were after larger tuna. Now am happy to catch one. Good fun and good eating, we need to appreciate what we have, I now realise. Steve