jlloyd

Slinky, sorry for the delay in a reply but thanks a heap, this solved the problem but I fear I have a friction trip ramp (I think this is what it is called) on the other side which is even worse, several small parts a spring and a bushing, I know where the bushing and spring goes but the two blades and wheter any tension is on the spring is needed is beyond me. I thinks meeself will need professional hepls for this. Guys this section is awesome as parts diagrams don't describe excatly how it all goes together and tackle shops aren't always the most helpfull for this level of detail. Thanks

I agree with the above, slim beauty is my prefered knot for leader to braid as it is slimmer, the uni knot is also good and I find it easier to tie under pressure as I haver done it hundreds of times for terminal tackle and limp braid can be difficult to wrap around the leader in a kayak in rough seas. I have not had either fail me aside from once where I didn't tighten the slim beauty knot properly.

Thanks a heap Slinky, being looking at these parts going huh how the hell?

This sort of information is fantastic, Thanks Slinky. I have one query though, I have a 420 ssg that was dropped in the drink at North Head (my squidding outfit) and was recovered in a miracle wrapped up by a mates livie. I stripped all of it as the unit was seizing and the bail return was also seizing. All of what you describe above has been done but bugger me if I can work out how the bail return works. Does onyone know this as the parts sheet is lacking in this area. Thanks

Go a natural in QSK, get one in 2.0 and one in 2.5, I find a 2.0 catches more but when the wind picks up such as in the afternoon I can't cast a 2.0 or smaller. Also using a AJK, KNH (to lesser degrees) and YAMASHITA-EGI OH Q KOGU-GLOW in OLF (equal favourite to the QSK).

I agree that a light rod and light drag is the way to go. I caught some big winter middle harbour squid on my 2-4 kg Berkley dropshot rod. As for drag it all depends on where you are, sight fishing at this time of year off wharves in the harbour I use very light drag. If fishing with dead baits with a spike off north head for big southerns I up the drag. For bigger squid a net is essential.

I kinda agree but have had a lot of success with very light drag set up on a 2-4 kg IM-6 graphite rod. The rod enables me to feel hits better and control the jig whilst when a squid hits and sticks the light drag stops him pulling off the spikes. I set drag just (and only just) above that required to move the jig. I find now with whippy rods I don't catch anything as I can't feel the hits as well

Darling Point Wharf was okay for fishing last year, I fished there off and on prior to getting my Yak. If early or late enough yakkas can be caught there along with squid to the east of the wharf. I caught a salmon, flounder and little flathead there and saw several kingies taken there. Beware of the bird life some fisho fed it in the past now it takes your bait. I hooked it up once without realising when it pinched my live bait, unhooking it was fun I can tell u.

The guidelines above have been developed based on someone eating considerable quantities of fish from the harbour (ie virtually daily). As most fishos don't do this (I'm thinking a weekly catch if lucky) I would not be concerned. I would not eat anything from homebush bay (fishing banned) and around Camellia as I know what is or has entered the river there such as dioxins, hexavalent chromium etc. Women who are pregnant shouldn't eat too much fish from the harbour (ie abide by the government regulations).

I have several types of rigs all on Shimano technium 12 foot rod (it is cheap and I won't cry when it is trashed or washed off the rocks) and Penn 850 with 25lb Mono; For pigs and bream I use double strength 1/0's, small ball sinker (simple and easy) and use in the wash at my feet (using cunjie, prawns, yakka , bread or weed), I find pillie is way to soft for the high energy wash zone. Find a fishy spot and prepare to hang on. if shallow floor then a ganged pille or live bait and if deeper I use a float with yakkas or squid although 8 out of 10 times I will end up being squided with the yakka so always have a squid jig on hand. Tailor, Salmon and Kingies love the jelly bean yakkas or small squid (but the usually robs me of the squid). On a side note the squid are back in my favourite haunt for spring, bring on the lazy summer afternoon squidding session.

Following and extended stint of work in Melbourne (4 days off in 7 weeks) I got back to Sydney and hit north narrabeen this morning with a heap of old frozen bait (squid heads and pillies) and a tub of Gulp alive sandworms (my first try with these). Got to the beach at 5 and found a nice gutter, cast and then spent ten minutes fighting a decent sized weed fish which got the better of me. Set up again and 2nd cast, I am onto the mother weed fish which takes another 15 minutes to land. Success, 15 kg of seaweed to take home. So this is what I missed in Melbourne. I move along the beach 20 m to an area that appears devoid of weed and ditch the frozen bait. I set up a double rig for the soft plastics and cast, nothing happens so I bring it in to find a 4 inch croc hanging off the soft plastic. That's a win for the soft plastics Send the monster back and recast to another area. After several casts I feel a slight bump and even slighter weight, I pull in a 20-25 cm flattie on the soft plastics. Throw this guy back and find it is time to leave. Considering that I bought the soft plastics for use on sand flats not off the beach two small flatties is okay.

Great looking flounder there, they are great pan fried (crispy) with a little olive oil, soy and garlic

Another vote for a Penn 850ssm or an penn 750 slammer. I have an 850ssm and love it for its strength and durability on the rocks where it is the next best thing to an alvey for simplicity.

Love it, hope you gace the little bloke a stratch on the belly and a tidbit before letting him go

I tend to use both, Mono for off the beach, rocks and LB in the harbour for pelagics as I get dusted so many times by bigger fish on rocks etc, I am in the process of changing to braid for lure fishing and jigging for squid due to the better feel and the fact I will be lure fishing this summer if I can get a yak by then if the allows it