fragmeister

Lol, Yep, no faking this time! Didn’t even get a free kick for it,

Thanks Donna. Yes, it’s a real shock to the system being so immobilised. My wife picked it though. She was always more concerned about how it would effect my mood being stuck in the house for months. I have crutches ( dangerous bloody things they are) an I-Walk 2 which is like a peg leg thing that straps to your bent leg (you are probably aware of those) it’s pretty handy for getting around and freeing up your hands - even managed to make dinner last night. My knee scooter arrives today... I think that will work the best and should get me up and about. One of the most surprising things was when they told me I would have to self inject anticoagulants for 6 weeks. I don’t like needles much but I have rapidly become desensitised to giving myself the jab every day. Anyway.. it’s all good... cheers jim

Thanks mate.

Thanks Waza, It,s actually only a ligament tear but they screw the bones together the to keep it all in place while the ligament repair heals. The screws come out in 6 months. Cheers Jim

Looks fairly brutal doesn’t it. I think the surgeon ducked into Bunnings on the way to theatre. I hope he used stainless screws and some Tefgel.

Hi Raiders, Have been AWOL for a while so I haven’t posted any thing. Those who know me also know that things get a bit hectic at work sometimes so I often go missing for weeks so thanks to those Raiders who sent a PM to see where I was. Well, fact of the matter is I have some new hardware in my foot after a soccer injury and I am looking down the barrel of 6 months before I am out plaster and a moon boot. No fishing fo me for a while I guess. I look forward to reading all your posts until I am back on my feet. Cheers Jim

Great effort Sam. Well done on the Dollies too (I always expect you to bag out on the flatties though so that is no surprise!) cheers Jim

This has ended up a very informative thread. Thanks to all for the contributions to date. Cheers Jim

Come to think of it I always flip the bail back manually regardless of the reel but it’s more about making sure theslack line doesn’t get caught aroundthe bail arm roller - particularly in the wind and fishing light braid.

Can't remember but come to think of it ... I can't' picture it either! I have to say I didn't give that a great deal of thought when I posted it. My apologies boys... It does sound like a silly suggestion in retrospect. In thinking about it , If any line twist is introduced by the line changing direction as it passes over the bail arm then really the only difference with a manual bail arm is one less turn in hundreds as most of the rotations are in reeling in the line. hmm... I must have had one too many I think! BTW - Hateanchors... a very respectful way to bring this to my attention. Much appreciated. Cheers Jim

Yep... same here on my 10000 there is a school of thought that auto bail arms put a twist in your line each time and with those reels typically used for repeated drops like when jigging it can all add up ... at least that’s the suggestion.

Great suggestion. I have often used a jig in place of the lower hook on the paternoster but I haven't thought of replacing the snapper lead with a weighty jig. Cheers Jim

Interestingly, flathead are my most common bycatch when I am doing a bit of prospecting with micro jigs for kings around the artificial reef. My only question would be, have you tried this in say 30-50 meters of water? I am wondering whether you could get a micro jig close to the bottom in any sort of drift. Cheers Jim

Now there's one I have never heard before!

I think the boys have it right (I would put money on it) Looks like a great day out!

That gets my vote!

...and here's me hooked up on a rat King in Bantry Bay... (I have pretty much worn this T-shirt nonstop for about 12 months so I am about due for a new one)

On my last two trips out about a month apart I didn't see any boils off North Head. Last season and quite a few before that they were the size of football fields I did spin up a few small bonnies about 1 k offshore when I saw birds working a school but I struck out in and around the washes. Last week Long reef was dead but Sydney harbour has more bait in it than I have seen for years. Not sure what that all means but it is certainly very different to last year.

I walk past the fish shop in Parramatta Westfield most days and I see some of the same fish there so many days in a row that we are on a first name basis!

"Stop working so hard" I'm working on that ! LOL Cheers Buddy... not long now. Give it 12 months and you will be sick of how many times I post the latest fishing trip!

Only just noticed this... thanks for the heads up on the Panko bread crumbs and yes , the wire rack is a great tip.

Yes , I use for jigging but not for beach fishing as I find it too easy to tangle and knot as it washes around in the surf. I also don't use it when using a for centrepin reel for blackfish fishing. And I don't like it on a handline that I might use for catching live bait. Somehow I feel that it can get a bit hard to manage when there is some reason not to have continuous tension on the line. Could just be a personal thing though. Cheers Jim

I have something similar but your one is much better... might have to invest in that one. Thanks for the info.

Thank for the well-considered and detailed post. I note that you certainly come up with the goods in the bottom bashing department and I know I m not the only Raider you have shared excellent resources within this forum. Cheers and thanks again. Jim

Thanks Dave... Yes, I agree that flathead for flathead is a great bait. Cheers Jim