[EPIC FIGHT]

Not surprising he got towed fishing with a locked drag! Anyone know the estimated size and weight?

 

[How To Clean Squid Jigs?]

Not exactly squid jigs but I clean all my hardbodies at the same time I do the dishes. I use an old toothbrush to scrub away any built up gunk 

[Fishing with alternative baits]

8 hours ago, Fufu said:

Hi All

Wondering if anyone has tried using meat/steak as an alternative for bait?

I was thinking of cutting the meat (possibly back straps) into thin strips to mimic a worm. 

I also wanted to marinate it with soy sauce/tuna oil, Parmesan cheese and maybe garlic

 

I'm happy for you to test these baits on me first (minus the tuna oil). I like baits cooked medium thanks?

[Lock out]

1 hour ago, DerekD said:

Hi BuckWild.

I agree with you about the articulate response but I'd also want to see each person send something in which is fit for their situation rather than a mass mail out of the same reply. I

Yep, totally agree with you. My comment was more targeted at those who can't come up with a coherent non-emotive argument. There's a lot of abuse going on over that FB group so I'd rather a mass copy and paste than some of the vitriolic drivel that's coming out right now.  These are scary times for us fishos and we need unity.

 

[Lock out]

I've joined the FB group and just looking at some of the comments, the biggest impediment to our cause are fishermen themselves. As a group, we are so fragmented that the other side will be rubbing their hands with glee. 

One poster sent a message to MP Felicity Wilson saying he hoped she died of stomach cancer. That'll do wonders for our cause?‍♂️?‍♂️

What we need is to formulate an articulate response (something like what luderick -angler posted) when filling out the surveys, so that we can all copy and paste, rather than shoot from the hip like Mr Stomach Cancer Guy

Cheers

Col 

[Windy days]

Too frustrating for me, especially when you're trying to stay in contact with the lure and the wind blows your line all over the place

[Bream Rods with small butts]

6 hours ago, connico said:

Nitro Powerbream Finesse has a tiny butt...

Otherwise get one custom made. Howler Custom rods used to make rods for We flick fishing that were excellent... had tiny butts that you enabled you to customise the weights of the butts so you can match it with a specific reel...

Yeah I've seen the Howler's on the WFF youtube vids. They definitely look the goods. They're on my list if I go the custom route

[Bream Rods with small butts]

39 minutes ago, DerekD said:

I like a grip which keeps two fingers below the reel foot and two fingers and thumb above.

That is exactly how I hold my rods

I grew accustomed to the short butts as that's what I started on when I first got into lure fishing. Although I can fish with the longer butts, it's just not as "comfortable" if you know what I mean? With my Daiwa Gen Black, when I'm working the lures, the butt sometimes either hits my forearm or my fat gut ?? I don't have this problem with the Raiders, but as I said the rod feels heavy and unbalanced, and can get a bit tiring casting over a 4 hr session
 

Getting my tax return soon, the longer this thread continues the more I'm convincing myself to spend it all on  a Bream Buster and an Exist/Stella ????

[Bream Rods with small butts]

2 hours ago, DerekD said:

 

Good luck and I'd be really interested to hear if you find what you are after

Looks like I'm being nudged towards the custom route. Never quite understood why the butts have progressively gotten longer over the years. FFS they're only bream! 

My first rods were a Strudwick Sic Stic Pro and a Squidgy Spin. Both had short butts. If you have a look at the Millerod Bream Busters, even they still have short butts, so don't understand the trend with long butts. 

[Bream Rods with small butts]

9 hours ago, DerekD said:

I may be stating the obvious but have you looked at other rods in the Shimano Raider series.

Hey Derek

I already have both the rack raider and bream finesse. Whilst both fit the butt criteria, i find both rods heavier than my other rods and they don't balance well with my 2000 certate or 2500 Stradic

Col

[Bream Rods with small butts]

17 hours ago, savit said:

I believe plenty of rod builders/ rod repair businesses can cut the rod butt and rebuild it to the required new shorter length.

I kinda wanna avoid this route, hence I prefer off the rack. Most of my rods are $130 and under, and are a few years old already, assuming a mod would cost ~$50 I just don't think it's worth it

[Bream Rods with small butts]

Yeah definitely want a 2 piece mate, but that rod sure does look sexy

 

[Bream Rods with small butts]

9 minutes ago, Hill373737 said:

Here is what I use - Crony Weapons II - might even be a shorter butt than the Rack Raider. Its 7'0", 4-10lb

That is a very nice butt! ???

I see it's a 1 piece, do they come in 2? How heavy is the rod? I find my rack raider a tad on the heavy side and it does not balance well with a 2000 Certate

[Is this a luderick? (Black Drummer/Rock Blackfish)]

Definitely a drummer (pig), One of the best fighting fish pound for pound

[Bream Rods with small butts]

Hi All

Does anyone know of any bream rods (off the rack) that have a small butt? All the modern rods these days have a butt that's too big for my liking (yeah I don't like big butts?)
I'm after a rod in the 6'8 - 7'2 range, 1- 4kg.

To show the size I'm after, the pic below is of a Shimano Rack Raider, MajorCraft BassPara and Daiwa Gen Black (Itchy Twitch). I want something similar to the Shimano Rack Raider.

Cheers

Col

a 
 

[Easy FG knot video]

4 hours ago, big Neil said:

I am surprised that you use it on 3lb leader material, but with the additional wraps to distribute the "biting in effect" of the braid, it obviously works.

My fishing is predominantly shorebased, and there are some spots where I have to lift my fish up about 1m (I dont carry a net) to bring it in. I've caught a few flatties on 3lb and the times I've lost them was when I've tried to lift them up. The breakage has always occured at the lure end. Same goes for when I'm snagged and need to bust myself off. Just use a few more wraps if you're fishing that light. 

[Easy FG knot video]

2 hours ago, 61 crusher said:

That knot assist looks perfect for my fingers buckwild, where did you get it for $40 

I bought it off Plat. Currently selling for 4500Y but with current conversion rate its about AU$55 . If it makes you feel better, this is my 2nd one after I lost my first! Have a look on fleabay to see if they have it any cheaper

What's also good about this little tool, is that it folds up nicely to fit in your pocket/bag, and it ties well even on a windy day. I'm unco when it comes to tying knots but this tool makes it so easy. If I was to lose my 2nd one, I wouldnt hesitate buying a 3rd

 

[Easy FG knot video]

5 minutes ago, nutsaboutfishing said:

How do you tie it with 3lb? I use it with 20lb but when I tie it, in the last pulling step when you pull the braid and and leader  mainline to do the final tighten I find I  need pull quite hard to give a tight knot. How does the 3lb not break??

Richard

I use the knot assist 2.0 tool. See my previous post

[Easy FG knot video]

I use the FG down to 3lb with ~30 wraps. Any knot failures usually occur on the knot at the lure end. I wont use any other knot now. Previously used the double uni, but the strength and thinness just don't compare to the FG

[Easy FG knot video]

12 minutes ago, Amatteroflight said:

I think my problem is that I am trying this with very thin lines. Most videos seem to use heavy lines, which I guess would make the job somewhat easier? 

Spot on. 

I ended up paying ~$40 for a Knot Assist 2.0. Best $40 I've ever spent

 

 

[Max Reel Size For Fishing With SP's?]

18 minutes ago, Hateanchors said:

Recommending 4lb braid to a beginner is always going to end in disaster IMO. The stuff breaks after the slightest touch of abrasion.  (usually later on a snag or fish) Knots and wind knots are also an issue for beginners with line so thin. 

That is true, but I also believe it is all part of the learning curve. Personally, I just don't think mono cuts it. Casting light jigheads  at a reasonable distance with even 2-4lb mono is difficult for a seasoned angler let alone a beginner. You really need to develop a feel for casting lightweights so might as well learn now. 

[Max Reel Size For Fishing With SP's?]

When I first started out, I made the mistake of going cheap. Once I got the hang of fishing with lures, I ended up significantly upgrading my gear and the original combo is just gathering dust and rust in the garage.  If you're willing to wait a little bit longer, I suggest  saving up for $300-$400 for rod/reel and getting yourself mid-level gear rather than entry level. You should be able to find some nice rods from $100 - $150 (such as the Shimano Raiders or Daiwa Generation Blacks) and the left over can be spent on mid level reels such as your Shimano Ultegras/Stradics etc . You'll end up saving money in the long run as you won't be continuously upgrading your gear. My go to reel at the moment is still the original Daiwa Certate from 2004 and I  recently just bought a Raider from Dinga for $105. If you're willing to shop overseas, you can also buy some nice rods for <$100. I bought a MajorCraft BassPara rod for ~$80 a couple of years ago and I think you can still buy them.

[Max Reel Size For Fishing With SP's?]

What is your total budget? I think a lot of people make the mistake of budgeting for just the rod/reel, and forget to factor in braid/leader/lures which can easily add another $100 on top of your rod/reel budget. Then once you finally catch your first fish on lure, you will be hooked on spending your money on more lures and any budget you have goes flying out the window ?? 

[Rod Suggestions for Baitrunner]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The BTR is currently spooled with 20LB braid.

The Terez does the look the goods but I would really prefer a 2 piece

[Rod Suggestions for Baitrunner]

Hi Raiders

I've been given a Shimano Baitrunner 4500 and need some rod suggestions. Rod would be used for both boat and land and predominantly used to target jews and flatties. For convenience I would prefer a 2 piece. Willing to spend up to $200. Got a weekend on a houseboat on the Hawkesbury at the end of the month so am looking to buy soon so it can lose its viriginity that weekend! Any suggestions?!?!

Cheers guys