SMn

Also as a side note... My 650a5, 651c5 (bakelite spool) and 650e5 reels are all older than I am, at the ripe old age of 30. They have all caught serious fish from the beach and rocks, ranging from substantial sambos and tailor to sharks and rays without missing a beat! If you're planning a bit of beach and rock fishing, as Yowie suggested get an Alvey rod bucket/gimble, as well as an Alvey bait bucket it pays to be as moblie as possible when searching for a gutter or on a hot bite off the rocks. Also unweighted ganged pilles can be deadly off the beach or float weighted off the rocks for tailor and sambos... Hahaha I'll stop now...

G'day Mousse Alveys are an addiction!!! I started with a 650a5 this time last year, I now have a 45b; 625b; 651c5; 650e5; 650c5 and currently waiting on 650grbc in the post, can't wait!!! Hahaha. Once you start it's hard to stop, while the 1st 2 are newbies the others are either hand me downs or 2nd hand, but in saying that pretty much every older reel I have didn't even need a service before it was put into action; these reels are incredible! The 3 reels I have bought second hand (650e5, 650c5 and 650grbc) came in at a total of $200! The grbc brand new alone costs a lot more than that, however, I do support Alvey as much as possible with things like wadding bags and rods and other bits and pieces. I'm banned by the better half from buying any more reels until I kill the ones I've got (impossible!). But in saying that I have now dedicated lake/lagoon/light surf, heavy surf, light rock/heavy rock and kayak/boat setups... I grab the appropriate reels as I walk out the front door. The old 650a5 goes just about everytime though except in the kayak/boat instances, then a heavy duty reel. I can't imagine fishing any other way now, it's still fun even when I don't catch anything. I apologise for the long reply, I've just got back from jew hunting, a couple of long runs but rays or sharks me thinks with 1 definite bite off. I love my Alveys incase you didn't notice! Fishingphase also gave me great advice when I 1st posted about my Alveys. Enjoy the experience mate, it only gets better from here!

Yeh mate thats where we were getting the squid... My relos did really well on pink and orange squid jigs, attached to a weighted float and a chem light. The tailor was off the rocks at Terrigal... Ganged pillie, also score 4 keepers off the beach during the following week on a green surf popper. Good luck mate!!!

Yeh mate was great! Better pack a squid jig next time!

Good one champ! I have a hankering for some snapper! Well done...

Monster!!!

Great your daughter enjoyed it! I get my little ones out in the kayak in Terrigal, Wambie and Avoca lagoons, but now they can swim are more interested in jumping off into the water and climbing back on, not so much the fishing these days... But they go beserk when I say we are fishing on the kayak and then the better half can't argue with that; bullet proof fishing excuse! Well done on the catch!

Gday mate! I was stoked to land 3 squiddies last weekend, was my 1st time! Got to love the kayak too! Well done! ¤ don't know if it's just my phone/computer but I couldn't view your pics...

Hello, Family outting at Windang last week topped off very nicely with a few Bonnies and some very big squid. Caught my 1st squid, hooked him on a set gangs, I was actually trying for some tailor. People I was fishing with cleaned up using squid jigs. Next had a crack in the kayak in my local lagoon and had plenty of fun with some undersized bream on very light gear. Landed 7 of the little tackers all released back of course. That afternoon had the yak out again and scored a beaut 34cm whiting. Great fun on the 45b Alvey I scored for Chrissy. Pic is the squid caught the day before at Windang next to the whiting. This morning got up at sparrows fart and tried a bit of rock fishing at my local and was rewarded with a 43cm tailor. Bit sketchy bringing it in over the rocks, but got there in the end... Brilliant morning for it to boot... Thanks! Have great day!

Yep it had a number of rows both upper and lower, from first impression they were triangular in shape and looked to be serrated. By the time I had filleted and could have a good look the gums and mouth had covered up the teeth so you could only see the tips. Theres a good chance that it is a Bronzie as I have heard numerous reports of this spieces being caught off the beaches around where I was fishing.

Strange experience carving with no bones, beautiful fillets though.

Gday Scratchie, 2 meals from the shark so far and absolutely loving it. Has a very mild flavour, the flesh is firm and turns pure white when cooked. I'd only keep another one if I hadn't caught any keepers of other spieces and I was really after a feed. I reckon my family of 4 will get close to 5 meals from it and it freezes well. But will continue to target them for the epic sport they provide, will be catch and release most of the time. Bleeding and gutting asap is vital for taste as well as the fish not being to big.

Different way of looking at it Cheap Charlie, thanks!

Mate this shark put up a great fight when compared with flatties especially... A real adrenalin boost when you see a bl00dy shark on your line as well!

Hahaha cheers Erroll! Hopefully I catch something decent once in a while to post!

Thanks for the reply Kingfisher84, I was suprised by the mild taste. My kids loved it as fish and chips they really got stuck in!

Yeh mate I completely agree, I've never been troubled by them in the surf and they are amazing creatures, the decision to keep this one wasn't made lightly. If I ever tangle with another it will be catch and release. Something I'm quite good at as most fish I catch aren't big enough to keep! Hahaha! Thanks for the feedback.

Thanks Big Neil much appreciated! I emailed the Alvey company a couple of times over the last few months and they are awesome at trouble shooting problems as well if you ever have a few questions about their gear... It's great to have quality Australian made fishing reels!

Thanks for the feedback! Was a little apprehensive posting at first but glad I did!

Cheers mate!

Gday Scratchie my 1st time so I'm not sure, though I've heard that around that size is good eating. Theres plenty of meat on it so I'll try a few different things. 1st cab off the rank will be old school fish and chips, nothing fancy just a light beer batter and bung it in the deep fryer till golden and a wedge of lemon. 2nd time round I think a Thai green curry and the 3rd might try it marinated some way and cooked on the BBQ... Open to suggestions as well... I'll let you know what it's like!

Fishingphase I appreciate all the input!!! It paid off as I landed my 1st shark Friday night!! A schoolie 105cm, was incredible on the 651C which after taking apart had a simple solution... Rookie mistake!!! Hahaha... Anyway I posted a pic in the fishing reports section of the wee beastie if ever you want to see the one I finally landed. Super stoked!!! Thanks!

Spizza your a dead set legend!!! Check the fishing reports I had success Friday night! Only a little one as far as these beasties go (a schoolie 105cm) but down right freaking fantastic!!! I love my Alvey reels!!! Pulled the 651C apart and found of all things the top circle nut had the washer slightly askew so it didn't line up with the spindle hence the movement between spool and backing plate! Simple problem simple fix, I can't believe how robust these reels are! The drag is simply a series of washers and man do they do the job! Will take me a while to adjust to the reel spinning while I am holding onto the handles though... Mate thanks so much for the feedback really appreciate it!!!

G'day, 1st time posting a fishing report, hope it's not to boring! I know some people feel strongly about catching and keeping sharks, but this is my first one landed, it's well over legal size for NSW and not a part of it will be wasted by my family and friends. So the tale begins... Very long week at work, I had been counting the seconds from about Tuesday on... Got home Friday arvo kitted up, had the idea of targeting a shark after a huge run and bust off the weekend earlier. So I set about rigging, ended up tying 4 rigs, 100lb leader with 2 snelled 8/0 hooks. 1 a gama octopus circle the stinger a Black Magic circle, looped onto a 100lb swivel, looped onto a no.5 bomb style sinker to another swivel. Over kill I realise now, but none the less... Hit up the local seafood joint and got 2 fresh mullet about 30cm which I butterflied one and filleted the other. Gave the old Alvey 651C deep spool a service... Beaut reel I bought second hand about 1 month ago... Then headed down the beach loaded up... About 7.30pm I had the first bait out, soaked for about 10 minutes while I set the second rod up with the trusty 650A... Saw the butterworth bend over and went to investigate! At first I thought I'd hooked a piece of weed one of my particular skills. When bang something kicked the drag into action and made a run straight across the gutter! My next thought was s#%t another stingray, but what the hell! I started to give it a bit of grief and tightened the drag a bit something I am not used to fishing with... A bit disconcerting to see the spool move one way while I am winding the other but got the hang of it as the battle continued. 10mins later we saw (my mate turning up just in time!) the sleek profile of the most amazing sea creature I have caught so far on my rookie journey. I dead set almost kacked myself when I first glimpsed it! 5 minutes later had it on the beach primed for a piccy... Measured up at 105cm, deep cut to the tail so she bled out and done and dusted. Species: School shark: roughly 5kgs after gutting... Stoked! Targeted a speices, learnt a whole heap of new skills and my mate thinks I am a fishing legend (little does he know)! Sorry for the lengthy post just really really happy!!! Hahaha... Cheers!

For sure!!