Ryder

Thanks guys. Ive picked up a few later editions at vinnies, they are still a great source of information. Rebel I found this one. Sil Rohu The man himself at a weigh in.

Hi Raiders, My continuing hunt for a Sportex rod goes on. The particular model I'm after, 663 is highly sought after and very rarely parted with. My strategy has been to check online auctions, the tip buy back centre and second hand stores. Today I tried something different, garage sales. Here is a picture of the add. See the rod? Only 15 minutes from home in Artarmon, it was worth a look. Luckily it was still there. One piece and so long it was jammed up against the roof. Maybe because it was hard to get out nobody bothered to take it. The light wasn't great, and me without my glasses but I could see the pattern in the fibreglass I was pretty sure it was a Sportex. How much, $10. SOLD. It had a long fish measure sticker on it and when I got it home I noticed the was another sticker underneath. A little heat from a hairdryer and the top sticker came off to reveal... The full length of the blank is 10 ft. I has a 12 inch wooden spike added taking it up to 11 ft. I'm not really sure it's a blackfish rod, loaded up the bottom half looks a little stiff and the reel seat is covering the spot where the model number is normally written. Any ideas on which model it could be would be much appreciated.

I was first given a copy when I was about 12 in the late 70s, at the time it was my favourite read. Over 500 pages, more than 50 chapters covering tackle, techniques, targeting species and much much more. Today I found a very early copy at Rozelle market for a couple of dollars. It's only 180 pages, so it's not nearly as detailed. Some things are the same, like the chapter on Mounting your catch, I wonder how many of us have tried that.? Some of the adds in the front of the book might bring back memories for older Raiders, and for the younger ; in the 50s and 60s phone numbers used to start with letters.

😂 Nice

I heard this on the radio this afternoon. Guys we're heading back in from fishing when it happened. Just off Wooli where Scratchie was last week. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/brothers-badly-injured-after-marlin-jumps-into-their-boat-20190523-p51qlm.html

Thanks mate, it's a ripper. Thanks for the link. Nice work on the Golden Eagle. It's amazing what is on offer out there, you just need to look around. In my case I'm thinking the UK market isn't doing so well and there are true bargains to be had.

I just got this little beauty in the mail from the UK. 4 inch J W Young Trudex, a favourite blackfish reel. £50 plus post. I was the only bidder. It spins like a dream, no wobble and near mint paintwork. Inside reveals the date of manufacture. Feb 1963, a few years older than me, but in much better condition. My question....? Its currently set up for a lefty, I know you can change the line guard to suit a right hander,or take it off altogether, but do need to change the ratchet, it seems stronger one way than the other?

Manly beach is a top spot for beach worming.. They are a great bait, challenging, but fun to catch,

Cheers mate. They really made great rods, I believe they were the first or one of the first to make hollow glass rods in Australia. I reckon this one has been stashed away for decades. The green and gold bindings are still in great condition, the butt cap is beautifully perished, adds charm.Royce said Model 5 is a Blackfish rod, a bit on the heavy side due to the thickness of the walls. Not easy to fish all day with. Another one for my nephew, he’s young and works out. He said the Conolon came out of the Kilwell factory in New Zealand.

EPIC... Hope you get a few more tomorrow.

I ducked in to Kimbriki Tip Buy Back centre today on my continuing quest to find a Sportex 663. No luck yet but I did find a couple of interesting rods. One is a vintage 3 piece Slazenger model 5 deluxe. 10 ft 6 it's a real noodle, I think it could be a Blackfish rod. The other Mitchell Conolon Companion, Spiraflex Custom Line 62:126. Again 10ft 6 but I'm pretty sure it's a beach rod from the sand spike. Ive put out a call to Royce, and waiting to hear back, but I would love to know anything Raiders know about them. I got them for $5 each, I thought if I don't buy them someone else will, I might have a problem. Haha

Thanks Gordon. 1970s? This one is in very good nick. I'm giving it to my nephew as his first beach rod.

Thanks Rick. I thought it could be Butterworth. It's the lighter yellow blank, that would normally have purple binding, like Beach Beauty.

Hi Raiders, Does anyone know anything about these rods? It looks like a custom build, probably from the 70s or 80s? I can't find anything online.

Great couple of fish. Always next year for the Longtails. Good luck on the snapper in June

Awesome report. Definitely one to remember. Love the RESPECT.

My first trip out was with my Grandad and Nan, Forster 1972 ? From the long gone BP boatshed next to the swimming enclosure. My older sister got 15 flathead and 2 flounder, Grandad got around the same. I caught 1 Blue Swimmer and freaked out when I saw how big crabs get. I was 4 years old. Back at the cleaning tables Pa filleted the fish, and my sister and I threw the frames to the pelicans. The boatshed dog snuck up and swiped some of the fish. I can still smell the tables, old wood but just smelled like fresh fish.

Great read, and a top fish too.

Couple of good trips. Great flounder.

Heaps of mullet up there, and it's a known breeding area for sharks. There are Bream around the pylons and maybe a Jew. Catfish, and small Tailor and eels are there too. Above the weir in the fresh there are heaps of Carp, Goldfish, freshwater Mullet and Bass. The Bass ladder was a new addition to the weir. There are restrictions. http://friendsoflanecovenationalpark.org.au/Images/AboutThePark/Fishing_Restrictions_LCNP_2017.pdf

That's a fantastic result. Having the FAD almost to yourself, Awesome!

Hi Bug, if you use the search function on the top right of screen, there is quite a bit of info. https://www.fishraider.com.au/search/?q=Central coast jewfish &sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=and

Wow Killer, thanks for sharing. Swap you both for the Sportex, haha.

Cheers Yowie, after I posted I thought I should've just sent you a PM. They definitely made quality rods. Both of these are well used, 30-40 years old, but I would be happy too use them tomorrow.

Great muddie mate, my favourite seafood. Might be worth investing in a crab trap, I would set it further upstream in the mangroves.