clemsy

Hi raiders, I'm looking for a finnesse rod to pair up with a Shimano Stradic 1000FJ. I've got a budget of about $100, and I came across these two rods. Anybody use them or have any experience with them? Thanks!

I forgot to mention, I am landbased. Do you need to use a snap or something with the lure for the tackleback? I was thinking of something like a monster Murray lure retriever where you slide it down and it's got chains as well, but I'm not sure how good it is. I browsed some shops online and the strike back lure pole is $90+, which is a bit hefty. Any opinions?

Hi, I was wandering if any of the raiders use a lure retriever? Things like tackleback and monster Murray, do they work on light lines? Like 4lb leader? I've heard they can cut through the line. Thanks

It sure does feel good to catch fish on new gear! Thanks fellas!

Woke up this morning at 7 for a fish, just purchased the shimano stradic FJ 1000 yesterday, hoping to test it out today. Worked the wall surrounding the bay, flicking a hardbodied lure. First to fall victim to the new reel was a whiting, which fought like a champ and so did my new reel, after a few minutes on the small but strong reel, it came up and measured in at 38cm, a new PB! After the whiting, an undersized flathead and another flathead at 41cm (which I kept for a feed after losing 2 lures). Finished the morning at around 11:30, all in all, a good session with an extraordinary reel! All on 5lb braid with 4lb leader.

Ah okay, I might just buy online within Australia then. Thanks mate.

Ah sorry for the confusion, I meant if after I've recovered it and something happens under warranty. Should I mail it back to the retailer or just drive to the shimano service centre and do it myself there?

Oh sorry I meant buying online within Australia. If I do buy online in Australia, and something happens to the reel, would I be better off shipping it back to the reatiler or just going to the Shimano service centre? (which is not too far for me)

Great! Is it safe to purchase reels online? Or would I be better off buying locally?

Ah okay, I'll have a look around. Although one thing about shopping around, would it be better to buy reels at that price online (in Australia) or just at the local store? It would seem buying online, you don't really get to have a look at it before you buy it (if there are any problems with it or being faulty)? Any recommendations?

bump.

Hi raiders, Happy New Year! I just wanted to know if any of you raiders have used the Shimano Stradic FJ, particularly the 1000 model? How do you rate it and is it worth it to get a Ci4 for an extra $40?

Thanks guys, it is good to get out there and catch something after a dry season for me!

Went to Kogarah Bay this morning at around 7:30, used a atomic aussie bream shad for the whole time. Quite windy this morning, blowing quite heavily. In the beginning I caught a small flathead on the lure, my second one ever. After an hour or so, it got quite so I decided to walk along the edge and fish around it. Found a spot that was a bit sheltered and managed to flick parallel to the wall. Caught my first whiting on the hardbody, was undersize but still counts . As the morning went on, I moved further and further along the edge of the wall after everytime I had scouted each part of the water. Not long after the whiting I got smashed but a fish and took a couple of good runs, love the sound of a screaming reel, After a couple of good runs, it buried me in a rock, thinking it was a flathead, I could feel the headshakes, it took a lot of coaxing to get it out of the rock after a few minutes. Once I got it close, I thought it was a big puffer fish as it turned its body in the water. I pulled it in and it was a bream! Measured it in at 30cm exactly! First ever bream and whiting on a lure! Great morning out and finished 2 hours in!

Hi raiders, First of all, Merry Christmas! I recently saw 1" soft plastics and they are tiny, so just out of curiousity, has anybody used them before and what hook size on a jig head do you use for it? Thanks!

The reel spins fine, it is just that the main shaft no longer goes up or down. I'll have to take it back tomorrow, hopefully I can get it back soon, haven't fished in a VERY long time!

Just recieved my Orra SX20, and after spooling the braid on, I gave it a few spins of the handle and the main shaft does not go up and down? Anybody know the problem? It is brand new. Quite sad.

Ah I see, thanks! Also, just out of curiousity, is there a specific reason why people don't like Berkley Vanish Transition? I have find it to be good, haven't had any problems, but then again I haven't used any other FCs.

Oh okay, they seem pretty hefty, like $20+ for 100m or less. Is it still viable to use straight through FC as a leader? From my short experience with VT, I haven't had much problems in terms of abrasivness.

I currently use Vanish Transition, its not bad, haven't had any problems with it. I've had a look at the Sunline, especially the Rock leader, but it is so expensive for just 100m. While I can get the VT for less and more line. Is it really worth it to upgrade to higher quality lines for leaders?

Hi raiders, I was wandering if it is better to use fluorocarbon as leader material or specifically use FC leader? ATM I use vanish transition and after each trip the vanish seems to have too much memory with some hicks in the line. I don't fish big fish, just bream and flathead.

Thanks mate!

Would the distributor for Abu be Pure Fishing?

I've ordered the Abu Garcia from my local tackle store for a sweet price and with an extra braid spool. Just a question, do you know where local stores get their reels from if they special order it in?

Ah I see, thanks Leo! Also, does the Abu come with a braid spool and a mono spool? (Is the braid spool really non slip without backing? I've never tried a braid spool before) I am thinking of getting a second braid spool if it is non slip, 8lb and 5lb braid. Smarto, that is what I'm thinking too, leaning towards the Abu at the moment.