Andrew_P

Thanks for your info and offer @Sylvathorn! Probably a good time for an update. Since the original post I’ve managed to pick up a few original blanks (FT120 4w, MT144 8w, bastardized C96L 4w 2 piece, and a very special 6’ Flame Wrap 15-24kg live bait blank) as well as the Northcoaster Brian generously proffered. This adds to an original C108L 4w I have from childhood. It is amazing what people have sitting in the rafters! I’ve also purchased a couple of the new “Snyder” blanks that Kilwell have been rolling on the old Snyder mandrels. They are expensive but look the goods and will build very nice rods indeed. I’ll whack up a few pics for those interested. andrew

Worming tips this one helped me Brett

Onya mate! Looks like a very fishy spot you’ve got there. Well done!

Consider this an annual report Brian! Happy new year AFO

2022 is almost over and although I didn’t fish as much as I would have liked (who did?) it was made up with quality. Started off the year with a nice jack then got flooded in the late feb rains managed a few trips both in and out of Qld to see a mate in Newcastle and send dad off in style in Fiji I got a leave pass mid year to hit the reef and landed a nice red on a rod I built actually I built a few rods this year and they’ve been getting bent a lot which is good! met my Newcastle mate half way in September and all we could muster up were donuts until the last night (midnite!) when we caught some nice whiting and a tarwhine on bait and old school fibreglass back up north for work and hooked a dream fingermark that turned into a nightmare 6 feet under the boat had Xmas back up there and suffered again to the sharks only managing a feed for Xmas let’s hope 2023 is full of good health and opportunity!

They are pretty well exploited mate you are looking at at least 2hrs from the ramp at Mooloolaba to find some in that 40-60m depth range. Note there is a closed season ending 15/12/22. Spanner crab

I’ve done a post about the science of estimating fish age on here previously. Will try to post a link: Estimating fish age

Still got the wings, cheeks and what was left behind the head for a feed

I was up in Cairns for work this week and the weather looked the goods. Having not fished for ages my colleague offered a sneaky after work session around a headland/bay. Well we hooked a bunch of good fish and only got 1 legal largemouth nanny, barred grunter and fingermark head past the sharks. The head itself weighed 2kg so it would’ve been a solid fish for me. We swabbed the shark bite for DNA analysis and I whipped out the otoliths (ear bones) so we could estimate the age. Will update this post when I have some details. cheers

Just teasing you Kat I wear mine at all times on the water too. It’s a good habit, rather than a bad one!

Onya Brian thanks for the video. those conditions were a bit rough mate glad to see Kat had her lifejacket on and personal epirb at the ready in case you got a rogue wave

Fish have the ability to change colour depending on their environment. That jack looks bridge pylon cement grey to me! Love how you got a second chance

Awesome fish! Thanks for the vid

Thy Life of Bwian

Great day excellent effort Brian and Kat! Always good to get lots of opportunities rather than just one or two for the day. Sounds like you were making it happen

All good Steve I’ll keep a lookout in all the usual places I’m sure I’ll come across a couple

No problem Norm. Yes there is nothing like setting the hooks on a good fish with a fibreglass noodle and mono! It’s like trying to stop a bus with an occy strap but I love it

Text me a pic of your broken handle and i'll see if i can fix it Bwian! Yes unfortunately @WildeFishing there's a strong market for them which leads to people showing their true colours. I'm after a few rods for my own use that i can fix up myself. Wilson now control the supply of the "new" snyder blanks and they are around the $120-$180 mark. Cheers Andrew

Hi AFOers, Just wondering if anyone has any old/original condition Snyder glas, Butterworth, Wilson or Jarvis Walker fishing rods (or even better - rod blanks) in the shed they want to part with? Surf or boat/estuary rods. I’m keen to recondition a few for my own use and love the thought of using the rods I grew up with with my boys. pics for reference If you do, please send me some pics and we can work out a price that suits. cheers andrew

Is that you Timmy @turdle?

Kat it’s the sign of a healthy fish. Next time you catch a flatty (or any other fish) try giving it a gentle shake and the fins should pop up. Bit of a trick some use for a better photo

Great work Daryl and pic is a brilliant example of sand/summer whiting vs goldenline whiting. For those playing at home the 2 most obvious features are dark blotch under the pectoral fin and more pronounced fork in the tail for sand whiting. Goldenline whiting don’t have the dark blotch, have asymmetrical tail lobes and feel a lot rougher to touch. Plus their fins are a deeper yellow than the sand whiting. Thanks for the post!

That seems the most likely cause Brian. My mate got 2000hrs before his started playing up. If it’s bad fuel the mechanic will have evidence of it.