[Question on MMD Splash Prawns]

Thanks all!

[Question on MMD Splash Prawns]

40 minutes ago, dirvin21 said:

I've got a couple of 70mm, funny same scenario bought with a gift card

The splash prawns seem to work best at slow speeds with a blooping type retrieve like a traditional popper

There would be better and cheaper options for pelagics

Maybe i just get the 70mm and 95mm then. Curious, would the 95mm be too big for breams and whitings?

What would you recommend for pelagics surface lures? Cheers.

[Question on MMD Splash Prawns]

Yeah its not cheap so wanted to see if anyone had used it before.....do the sugarpens go up to 20g?

[Question on MMD Splash Prawns]

Hi Raiders!

Was given some gift cards for xmas and wanted to try out the MMD splash prawns and looking to get three.

From my research i was going to get the 70mm (lime tiger) and 95mm (sunburnt jelly) but wasn't sure if I should get the 120mm! I know its too big for whiting and bream but wondered if they would be good for pelagics. The honey bee colour also looks good. Given they are 20g i should get quite a bit of distance and so tempted to give them a go. Anyone tried the 120mm and can provide any comments? Cheers

[Manly dam - a number of firsts!]

Unfortunately the weather has put a spanner in the works and i wont be able to take the boys there today....

[Manly dam - a number of firsts!]

@DerekD thanks for the call just then and the tips! Will report on how I go!

[Manly dam - a number of firsts!]

Merry Christmas to you as well! Also wishing u a great 2024!

Actually during my research i read a few of your posts and thanks for offering. I am pretty busy this week but will call u next week.

[Manly dam - a number of firsts!]

Had a few hours free this morning while the misses went shopping so decided to visit manly dam as it was nearby. Never been there before but did some last minute research on fishraider and was going to chuck a spinnerbait (only had a rusted old one), berkerley scum dog and a shallow diver fat crank bait.

Parked outside the park as its so expensive ($8 per hour)

Used the spinnerbait first. Read supposed to retrieve as slow as possible but have it continue to spin. Had about 20 casts and managed to caught a small bass (or estuary perch?). First bass every caught! Took a pic and released.

Then tried the crankbait but no interest. Every now and then casted too far and snagged in the weeds and lily pads.

Finally tried the berkerley scum dog which is the first time I have used it. Continued to cast around the weed beds and then slowly walking it back and varying retrieve speed. Then as I was walking it from the weed beds it gets smashed. Unfortunately it's not a big one but just a 20cm red fin perch. Having said that it's the first time I caught something using surface lures so that was pretty cool.

Then the rain came and was time to pickup the misses.

Anyway great day to be out and will definitely be back at the dam again.

If anyone fish there often could share some insight fishing at the dam that would be great:

(A) thinking of getting some spinnerbaits, any recommendations on weight and colour?

(B) when casting shorebased, do u aim to land it just infront or on the side of the lilypads or weedbeds? Quite a few times I cast straight into it and got snagged...

(C) is there any point casting out into the middle of the lake?

(D) planning on bringing my boys next time and they will use bait. Thinking of digging some earthworm as bait which i read is dynamite in the dam. Should I lob the bait right in the lilypads/weedbed or should I cast it next to them as if i was casting a lure?

(E) BTW can u fish off the dam wall?

[First summer catches!]

Finally managed to kick off summer fishing.

Went Sydney harbour fishing during lunch time today armed with some plastics and metal jigs and looking for some pelagic action like kingfish or salmon. Unfortunately didn't manage to find any pelagics but did bag a nice trev (at 46cm which is the biggest one I have caught) and a large flathead (50 cm). I do like the unpredictable nature of what you are able to catch. I also use a small backpack now which allows me to move around to cover more grounds.

Both were caught on a 10g metal jig though surprised the flathead was interested in it as well. These small metal jigs are probably my favourite way of fishing during summer as they are so versatile and they cast so far.

Hopefully the next report will be some pelagic actions!

Cheers

[Is this covered under Shimano warranty?]

16 hours ago, XD351 said:

Have a look at this video, the mechanism is pretty simple and I would say that something moved when you took the cover off . I doubt they will do it under warranty but it probably wouldn’t cost much for them to do it anyway . If you look carefully at the video you will see the spring loaded rod goes into a hole in the bail arm and the trip rod sits in the cavity above the hole .

Thanks so much for sharing. I have just taken the bail arm off and followed the video you shared. My sienna only has the one hole and not the two in your screenshot but I think the spring loaded rod goes into that hole. Anyway i just need to respool the reel (had taken the line off couple of days ago) to take it out for a spin. Will report back!

[Is this covered under Shimano warranty?]

18 hours ago, big Neil said:

You can only take it back to a Shimano agent with your proof of purchase and ask if it is a warranty job. My personal thought is that it probably won't be, given that you may have done something to it outside of their framework of usage. However, it is definitely worth asking as companies that offer 10 yr warranty are usually proud of the products that they sell. The Sienna is the bottom of their range in quality and price but I would definitely ask the question. There is no harm in asking, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that they are willing to fix the issue. Would you please post (on here) how you get on? The information would be helpful to many others who use their products. Good luck, bn

No problem will definitely provide an update!

I have just followed the video shared with XD351 to reattach the bail arm and will see if that helps.

[Is this covered under Shimano warranty?]

Hi raiders

I have a shimano sienna reel (about three years old now) where the bail arm flips back over when I cast. It doesn't happen all the time but happens often enough for it to be annoying. It also tends to cause windknots which further adds to the annoyance. I have a feeling its happened since i opened it up and to try to lub it. Anyway I know its not a technique issue as it doesn't happen with any of my other rods besides I cast using the method taught by derek! I am pretty sure i put everything back in its place but maybe I haven't?!?

Anyway was wondering if anyone knows it would be still be covered by the shimano warranty (i think its 10 years) given I have opened it? I know with most goods warranty (eg electrical) is void once you remove the cover but not sure about reels.

Cheers

Gengar

[DerekD has been awarded special badges - breaking news......]

@DerekD absolute champion no doubt about it. I would still be stuck on casting out baits if I hadn't met Derek on that fateful day few years ago. I have had a pretty lean winter and spring so far but hoping it fires up over summer so I can put up a decent report or two! Still a newbie so not much advice i can give but love the advice of fellow raiders whenever I have a question! Cheers.

[Japanese tackle stores]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:40 AM, faker said:

Hi Guys,

I might be heading overseas and i need some ideas on which Japanese tackle store to go for and what things worth buying for estuary fishing that preferably can be put in a travel case

Faker you read my mind! I am also going to Tokyo soon and had the same question. I found this article https://www.haurakigulffishing.co.nz/uncategorized/japan-if-you-like-buying-fishing-gear-come-and-visit/ that listed out the below stores. Not sure how old the article is but found that the Tokyo stores are still there. Also not sure what to get but hoping lures in Japan would be cheaper (eg OSP bent minnow).

Shops in Osaka to visit 

Fishing 8 – MASSIVE 

Bun Bun – Very large

Lure 1 Ban 

Seven Seas

Tackle Berry

Shops in Tokyo to visit

Sansui

Joshuya 

Pro Shop Mogi – Yokohama, not to far from Tokyo

[Fishing in Mudgee (Cudgegong River)]

9 hours ago, big Neil said:

Well worth waiting for your report Gengar. Great fun taking kids Carp fishing. Carp are pretty good fighters and take a variety of baits so usually the kids don't have to wait long to catch them. Always worth taking the rods with you, eh?

Cheers, bn

Always worth taking the rods and doing some research beforehand! Those damn carps are def good fighters which is why the kids had lots of fun. No wonder they are just a pest as can't imagine anything else eating them. We ended giving the carps to the gardener who will use it to feed the farm animals haha

Never caught a freshwater fish on lures before so ticked that off the bucket list. 

[Daiwa Bait Junkie Jigheads design process]

Thanks for sharing! Its actually quite an interesting watch. Unfortunately I still have a bunch of TT but will try and get some of these next time and see how they go!

[FIRST FISH ON LURES]

Well done mate! I am sure that won't be your last one!

[Fishing in Mudgee (Cudgegong River)]

Been wanting to post this earlier but been busy at work and at home.

Anyway wanted to report back on the fishing trip in mudgee on the Cudgegong River that i had asked for some advice

Anyway we spent probably 3 hours fishing over 3 days and caught 13 carp (one was even a crucian carp i believe) and one red fin. The carps were all caught on sweet corns in a can and kids had a blast cos they just had to cast it out, put the rods in the holders and muck around while waiting for the fish to hook itself. The best part for the kids were the carps were all massive! The smallest was probably about 50cm but most were in the 60+cm range. I didnt weigh any of them but i reckon they would have been easily 2kg. One of the damn carps even broke my telescopic net!

I caught the red fin 37cm on a prawn vibe and it was a great tasting fish! Too bad there weren't more of them!

All in all a great trip and lots of fun!

 

[Tips on Fishing in Mudgee (Cudgegong River)]

On 5/16/2023 at 4:36 AM, Ganguddy Goodoo said:

You could give Windamere a crack. Australia's premier yella fishery. You might be 3 months early though. Also Dunns Swamp is not too far away and has fish. So beautiful that I named my Fishraider profile after it. In the national park so check if its open after fires.

Will have a look at those spots. Thanks for sharing!

[Tips on Fishing in Mudgee (Cudgegong River)]

14 hours ago, dirvin21 said:

The lure fishing csn be tough in the rivers during winter but as Steve said weedless plastic grub and spinnerbaits, also a 3/8oz chatterbait with a 3 inch soft plastic work well on smaller cod and perch

ill

If you're fishing worms or prawns for bait a 1/0 hook would be my choice and if using bogger baits like chicken for cod I'd go a 5/0 circle hook

Always learning things on this forum. Never heard or seen these chatterbaits. I think my plan will be to cast some plastics, crank and spinnerbaits and I will get the boys to try prawns or worms. Will report back and hopefully get some fish when we get there in July!

[Tips on Fishing in Mudgee (Cudgegong River)]

On 5/14/2023 at 7:00 PM, Hill373737 said:

Since its possibly fairly snaggy, best lure choices may be a 4 inch grub plastic rigged weedless and weighted 1/8 to 1/4 or alternatively a spinnerbait in a 3/8 is a pretty good allrounder. Beef up the leader to what you might normally use, something around 25lb to 30 lb should be OK.

With this approach, if its snaggy, you'll lose less gear than HBs or plastics on normal jigheads.

Thanks for the tips! I normally do 10lb leader but will up that. I dont have any spinnerbait so let me get a couple to try out.

[Tips on Fishing in Mudgee (Cudgegong River)]

11 hours ago, dirvin21 said:

I forgot parts of the cudgegong are trout water which will be closed season to all forms of fishing when you're there, there's still part of the river that's open

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/619929/Trout-Waters-Primefacts-Central-2021.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjdpKuKmvb-AhXHSmwGHRSAAiIQFnoECB4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw0US3JgwqOaphTxJcqLVaB7

Had no idea so thanks for sharing. Just checked and fortunately we are staying just downsteam from Lawson Park Weir at Mudgee so i should be good!

[Tips on Fishing in Mudgee (Cudgegong River)]

6 minutes ago, dirvin21 said:

Should be murray cod and golden perch, worms make good bait for most freshwater species 

I've also caught cod on chicken breast

Thanks for replying. Never caught cods or perch, what size hook would you recommend for bait fishing?

any thoughts on what lures would be effective?

[Tips on Fishing in Mudgee (Cudgegong River)]

Hi Raiders!

Going to Mudgee over the winter school holidays for an extended family gathering. I wasn't going to bring my gear but just noticed the place we staying backs onto the Cudgegong River! I mean thats just convenient to pass up but I have never done any fresh water fishing especially over winter. I will likely get the kids to use bait so thinking of just using prawns on a running rig? As for lures, is it the usual smallish soft plastic (eg 2.5 inch grubz) and small crankbaits? 

Also any idea what i fish would find in the Cudgegong river?

Cheers. Thanks!

[Flathead strike on a lure - videos]

Wow those videos look real cool! Its amazing how well they camouflage!