Ryder

I don't remember how deep, maybe 12 ft. I plumb every different spot. Guestimate the depth, set the stopper, and put some extra weight on the hook. This will take the hook to the bottom, you want to see your float a couple of feet under water , move the stopper until you get it. Extra weight come off and the bait is presented 2 foot off the bottom.

I have fished the east side, late run in to the top of the tide. It shut down on the runout. It's a challenging spot. Most fish go straight back for cover. 2015 Still smokin'

Hi Raiders, I found a rod online, 1970s custom built in the Shire. Thanks to you guys I learned about Ken Appel. Who do you think made this? It looks like a Butterworth blank. Custom Built by ???. I'm not buying just interested.

Wow, Kingie Chaser, sorry I missed this post. Nice vintage Alvey and Steelite reels. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the reels and some floats are Aussie Red Cedar.

With help from the US Mitchell reel museum and Kilwell in NZ, Mr Squiddy and my Mitchell Conolon Spiraflex rods were produce in the Kilwell factory in the early 70s, production ceased in 1975. Conolon arose from an American wartime company called NARMCO, who claim to be the first to produce hollow glass rods. The story goes on to include Conolon Garcia, Abu Garcia, Abu Kilwell. etc. Here is a bit of a taste. https://mitchellreels.ourboard.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=615 I have posted a link to Fishraider on their forum too.

Well done. I'm glad you got a couple.

Good stuff Toby. A few years back, at this time of year, guys were smashing them at The Entrance. South side of the bridge, few hundred metres west, near the old sheds.

Congratulations, more to come I'm sure.

Hey Rich, Slowly breaking it down regarding the numbers. Is yours a 2 piece rod? The second number from 42:108 . It works for the 1 piece 61:132 and 2 piece 62:126.

Jarvis Walker Black Queen. Also on dinga

Anchor up, out of the wind, close to rocky headlands in the harbour on a runout tide. Get the berley stream going and the Trevally will come. August is the toughest month.

Oh yum, I love Kokoda. That's a great way to do Bonito.

It just spent a week at the rod builder. He put the callipers on it and compared it to others in his collection, and we are calling it a 526. I kept the original grips and reelseat, replaced all the guides and added a couple more. Single foot Fuji guides, except for the stripper. It joins the B4507 I scored at the tip last year.

When they do come on, mating season, the males bloat up and float to the surface and die. They look like a big black/brown blob 2-3 ft across. The birds attack from above, and the snapper below. If you find one cut some bait off it and cast back to it unweighted. Good fun, Good Luck.

Great stuff, snapper are up the top of my list for the table. Just wondering if the cuttlefish run has started yet? things really fire up then.

Great report. Everything wants a go at the fly you created. Well done.

Looks like a banded lizard fish

Haha. When it comes to blackfish it's all about the hat. Crusher, I sent you a pm.

Cheers mate, look interesting, why not. Someone else might buy it. Haha. Hope I can see you on the weekend.

I forgot to add where I get info. For me it started here with Fishraider, and it remains one of the best sources. A lot of guys still have and use dads or grandads gear, especially in Blackfish circles. Online auction sites, look for adds like Wanted to buy, best prices paid. These guys are collectors and dealers, they really know they’re stuff. Otherwise general online searches for brands and models will lead to other forums both local and international, guys like us who love their fishing. eg. Butterworth rods or Alvey reels turning up in England or NZ . In a lot cases there isn’t much info out there, but I am still surprised how much research leads back here to Fishraider. I search images too as a bit of a shortcut.

Hi Rich, I take the last 3 numbers to be length in inches, the first number wraps? Maybe? I have posted a question on another forum and I will get back. 4 wrap should make a decent Blackfish rod, probably around 3-6 kg weight range.

Thanks mate, I'm heading up to Umina sometime on the weekend. I will send you a PM when I know.

For flathead, GULP 4" or 5 " jerk shad in Nuclear Chicken or Satay Chicken on a 1/8th jig head with a smear of S Factor. This is where I started, some say they're not real plastics, but they will do the job.

Some fat bronzies there. More to come this winter I’m sure. Weed is in short supply all around.

Great work on the light gear. Well done.