Josh88

Probably try a smaller bait, i'm sure it could have swallowed it if it really wanted to but with the colder water and a slower metabolism that normal aggression isn't there. Try fresh squid gut and burst the inc sack as you put it in, i never pull a line up with one left on it. Still have to remember that being difficult for us is what fish do....kingies in particular! Good Luck Josh

Have a look at the Daiwa Sealine SL range, most are around $150-$200, seems like a good place to start

It should with an optimax on it

I've got a long way to go......haven't yet accomplished no.'s 1,3,9,10,11,17,20,21,23,26,27,28,29,30 How many of us have lost a few pairs of sunnies overboard and still neglect attaching them to yourself somehow??

Probably would've been a biggish shark that like you said didn't know it was hooked, it was just cruising around. If it was a ray it probably would've realised or at least stopped and sat in the sand or gone on shorter faster runs. would've been nice to get a look though.....next time

You could try for squid off the rocks at Wy-Ar-Gine point at Balmoral or off the island there as well. Or you could try off Cobblers beach which is a little bit further downstream, just past the navy waters. Cheers Josh

Bummer you didnt get out to the reef. Still good to catch some new species. I think that may be a remora rather than a small cobia, they look very similar when small, we got a couple when we were up north last year. Josh

I'd try Jewgaffer's or just do twice as many wraps of braid as you do with leader.

They are generally maximums but are in terms of monofilament line (most of the time) and with braid having a much narrower diameter, a lot more line can be put on a reel or a heavier line class.

They are both braids, but i'd probably put the stronger fireline under the 50lb and join with a double uni or albright.

Thats too bad Slinky. I think Boston Whaler are very good boats for bigger centre consoles. Probably good to have a look at contender as well, and another brand i'd recommend (as we own one) is Triumph, however the biggest model is only 24' but as a boat they are very good and hold many desirable features. Correct me if i'm wrong here but there isn't that much difference between a centre and a side console apart from helm position, affecting the layout of other parts of the boat but not the hull itself. So wouldn't this mean that how much water comes over the bow/gunwhales is more dependent on how the hull is shaped rather than where the helm is?? Although i'd imagine everyone is comparing them to say a half cab...? Cheers Josh

Hi Greg, We have a 17' centre console and find it to be a good little boat. You can be a little bit cramped for room at times when you're moving around constantly but otherwise i think it is a good style of boat. It allows access to all sides of the boat which helps if you're fighting a dirty fish. I can't think of any real considerable negatives of a centre console over a side console. Probably more dependent on boat brand, model and at the end of the day which one suits your needs best. Cheers Josh

I mix it up a bit, mainly go berkley, a few squidgy, the pro range x factor trigger works really well but its a bit annoying having to put it on every time, also got storms and tsunami's. Quite like to try the Ultrabite Slams when they are out, i don't think its too far away now. Josh

We got a 17 footer from USA this year but did it through our dealer so didn't get the advantage of high dollar.

Yeh we have some sort of thin plastic tube under each of ours and it stops them from spinning and damaging the rail too much.

We have got really strong stainless steel holders on our rails and they do a good job, you just have to make sure that they are really tightly connected at both the screw from the tube to the part that holds the rail and then tightly around the rail. They may need to be re-tightened before every few trips and tested but otherwise are good as you can adjust angle and height. Cheers Josh

wow....and i thought the queen mary was pretty big upclose I'd imagine that could reverse pretty quick, once it has eventually stopped

Bananas, they're real good luck ........................only kidding i don't eat them. Usually don't think about food on the water and don't get hungry but always take some chips and biscuits along, plenty of water though Cheers Josh

Well done Steve. Do you have someone called Nick Slaven in your team? He's my mates brother, I know he was playing for gordon in the champs and i think it was in 12s. Josh

Thanks Ross

We have a 75 Mercury Optimax and really enjoy it, in this engine & the 90 the etec does hold a lower weight advantage over the opti, but the opti 75 & 90 are built on the block of the 115. I know every engine claims something and the optimax claims to be marginally faster and slightly better on fuel economy than the etec which is what i like to believe Both good engines, but i'll stick with the opti Cheers Josh

Nice photos reggie, did you do the studio tour at universal and have Jaws burst out the water at you? Josh

Maybe, a few questions though. Do you need to renew it a certain period of time after you've done it? Is this course done over 2 days like the last one? Date and venue will probably decide if i can come or not. Cheers Josh

Queensland are goooone and so is Wendell=fractured cheekbone

Just finished exams so have 5 days off!! Hoping to have a fish at some point provided the weather improves. Also refereeing rugby jnr state champs.