AUS-BNE-FISHO

Same here Sam. I still have mine after seven years, but it's due for it's first service! Breaming with bro, I do agree with what you're saying about the size 1000, but on the right rod a 2500 feels awesome. I like both my reels (size 1000 and 2500) almost equally for light tackle fishing. It isn't uncommon for me to tie on a heavy leader for the reel, i.e. 20lb, but that's only because I fish in structure when I fish the Brisbane River. I will tie on a lighter leader, maybe 6lb, if fishing somewhere like a sandy beach for whiting as I know they are finicky. I'm actually ordering a new spool for my Sienna, which I'm going to spool with 6lb. That way, I can swich spools instead of swiching reels every time I want to go lighter/heavier. Hey Kat Here is my guide to how I look after it. I'm sure other people would have far different methods, but I hope the videos/series of pics I've put together help. Your first step is to get the reel off the rod (easy) and grab three simply items - paper towel, water, and some lube. Many people use specialized reel lube, which is probably ideal, but I just use normal oil. These are all I use to service my reels, but if they have been exposed to a heap of salty water then a spray of WD-40 on them can help (but not on plastic reels, thanks for the tip @Junky). After that, step two is to take apart your reel so you can give it a proper wiping. Normally you'd only do this after every few sessions or if it's been exposed to sand/grit/water, but if it hasn't only wipe the surface of the reel. Taking apart the reel is quite easy after you get to know how, with the first thing being the reel handle. You simply turn the knob on the other side of the reel, then when that's off pull the reel handle off. Reel Handle Reel Knob IMG_1303.MOV Taking it off - as you can see relatively simple. The next step is to put them aside, and take off the spool. If you think it is too confusing to have two different parts at once when you first do it, that's fine. Some helpful techniques could be taking screenshots/pictures of the reel, like a before and after (once again, thanks Junky and I think Breaming with bro), and to put the different parts in order as you take them out. Taking the spool off isn't that hardest thing, you basically turn the same thing you turn to adjust the drag on your reel, and turn it until it comes off. Then you can just lift the spool off! This is what you turn to take the spool off This part here is the spool IMG_1298.MOV Here's a quick vid of taking it off Well, now you're done that bit, you can wet your paper towel. Wipe off the parts of the reel that are really greasy to clean them, and wipe over all the surface of the reel. This gets any grit out of it, and makes the reel function better. Fold your paper towel into a square so the edges are thin, that way it can reach trickier spots in your reel. Something that should've been wiped long ago Remember to dry this off after it has been wiped, but then you can simply put the reel back together. I have made some more vids on this to make it easier to watch, so I hope that will help! You can put the reel handle back on almost the same may you took it off. Just remember that this time you're putting the reel handle back in first then the knob, not the knob then the reel handle. (Actually I don't think it makes much off a difference). IMG_1309.MOV Putting the reel handle back on! Alright, now to the spool. After this step, you check the reel is working fine and then give it a good oil, and then it's ready to go! Putting the spool on is just as easy as taking it off - you simply put it back on then the bit you use to tighten it goes back on too. IMG_1300.MOV Now that you have your reel back together, you can oil it. Just barely a drop is plenty, and spots such as these is where you want to oil it up. And wipe off any excess, and then you're done! That's all I do for my reels anyways, so I hope it all helps Kat. It is worth mentioning very simple rod maintenance too. Just with your wet wipe, wipe down the rod, then dry it off. It's as easy as anything as will help keep your rod clean and good looking. Good luck, Cheers Hamish P.S. Sorry for any errors if I've muffed anything up... Especially the order of the vids

Good one rayke1938 - any idea what Griffith Uni might be researching? Cheers Hamish

I sure need to stock up on some good baits, jon. A good kilo would make a difference with the dwindling bait supplies, that's for sure! Cheers Hamish

Yep, here is the thread for your reference Kat. Cheers Hamish

Hey Kat Well I have been showed/told how too, and now understand how important it is. Normally you can just oil all the joints in the reel to keep it spinning and from rusting, which is quite simply. A quick wipe over with paper towel before-hand will certainly help as well. I do this after every trip as it keeps my reels going good. If your reel has been exposed to a heap of water it may pay to take the spool off and wipe everything clean. I will post a more detailed response and some pics tomorrow arvo when I'm free, but right now watching a movie so busy! Cheers Hamish

P.S. Welcome to the forum mate. There's heaps of information on here!

Hey SteveW75 The prawns aren't exactly 'on' at the moment (peak times around Summer - early Winter I think but I'm sure someone will be able to either prove me wrong or agree so don't take my word), but normally casting around night time on a slack tide will get the prawns. If you want to go over to the nearby Colmslie Boat Ramp, I know for a fact there's lots of prawns here. Night time on a high tide is the best, and often times you can get a few kegs casting. If you have Facebook, there's someone called 'Damo's Cast Netting' who may be able to help you a bit more if you contact him. https://www.facebook.com/pg/Damos-cast-netting-and-fishing-club-108255507629247/posts/ Cheers Hamish

The FG knot worked fine for me when I tied on an 80lb leader for some early season bullies today, christophagus (unsuccessfully). Cheers Hamish

Too true. In fact, some of the sharks I've caught have come off a Jarvis Walker combo! Cheers Hamish

Hey Kat I own a some reels that would probably suit your price range, and in my opinion are very good beginner/budget reels. 1) My first option would be a Shimano Sienna, Size 1000 - 2500. They are well under your budget, and I know BCF sells them. Do yourself a favour and become a club member to get discounts. https://www.bcf.com.au/p/shimano-sienna-fg-spinning-reel/M581202.html#q=sienna&lang=en_AU&start=2 If you become a club member, you only have to pay $55 (or according to BCF online you do), so that will leave you with a bit of cash to get some good line, and maybe some more goodies which you might need. Even though it's cheap, I've had mine for seven years (but I think this one is the FG model, which I have not tried, but I can only assume it'd be better as it's newer). I believe @Breaming with bro had one so he may able to give you exact advice on this model. I caught my first Threadfin Salmon on this reel, a solid model at 60cm. It took some good runs but the reel managed it well. 2) The second option is A Shimano Nasci, which exceeds your price range slightly. I have had mine since Christmas 2018, and it goes just as smooth as the day I opened it up. With a bit of simple oiling and maintenance, most of your reels will last very long. I have a size 2500, which is a pretty good all rounder I reckon. https://www.bcf.com.au/p/shimano-nasci-spinning-reel-2500/521760.html#q=nasci&lang=en_AU&start=4 It is $140 from BCF for a club member, but maybe different family businesses around the place could have better prices. I have landed countless bream, the odd cod, some flatties, and many other assorted species on this reel and it handles them fine. You would be able to manage pretty much every bread and butter species on this reel Finally, a Diawa Shinobi reel is another option. From BCF, the combo (so a rod and reel) costs $160, so I would say if it was just the reel it would be pretty much perfect for your price. I have caught a good flattie on this reel which both tested the line and drag and it held up very well, so I would certainly recommend it. 4) Finally, while I have not used this reel, I have heard quite a bit about it. A Shimano Sedona seems to be a good budget reel. Maybe this review could help more than me though! Hope that helps, Cheers Hamish

Hey Darly Great one. Those are some lovely estuary fish. I will have to get down there one day to try my luck Cheers Hamish

That's a good idea.

Nice Leo, I follow the Suncoast Skutes Instagram page - they catch some massive fish and the lures look bloody great. Good luck. I hope to see you holding a monster snap (or a monster anything) with the lure hanging out of it's mouth! Cheers Hamish

I wrapped the line around my thumb, Breaming with bro. I found it pretty easy to do that. Cheers Hamish

Well I finally decided to give it a go. The FG knot (which I just did off this YouTube video) is very thin, and looks like a very suitable knot for the likes of lure fishing, and casting thick lines out. It will allow you to be able to cast a longer distance without the knot catching on any of the guides (eyes, or whatever you call them! ). I found it rather easy to learn off the video I watched, as it follows rather simply steps. First off, get your braid and leader, both taught, then wrap one side of the leader around the braid facing away from you, but then the next facing to you (easier done than said! ). Finally, you do a couple of knots on the top (half hitches actually). Yep, I know it's very yanky, but I think it's pretty good. After I tied it, it seems pretty strong - I don't think it would be slipping. Here is a close up photo I took with my phone. I tied it on my telescopic rod, so 10lb braid to 20lb Black Magic leader. You can see how it's a bit bulky on one side, well that's because I did one of the half hitches with the leader not the mainline. Oops! Cheers Hamish

Hey Dino Great session. 10KM is a massive walk but sixty fish makes it worth the while. That's an average of about a fish per 167M! Cheers Hamish

Shame you weren't catching some good bassos (yep I'm going to call them basso's now), but the sunset shots rae great! Good job. Cheers Hamish

Bastards!

Thanks for the tips, Old Scaley. I have seen a few threadies caught in that general area on the internet. I mis-heard (alright maybe I just thought Southbank was near the Botanical Gardens) but that is where we ended up going. To start off with, I fished with bread under a mangrove tree, then when that didn't work after about 20 minutes I walked the rock wall with an EcoGear Bream vibe. I thought I might manage a bream on the bread as I did this last time, but unfortunately I was wrong. Then, I also didn't manage a bream/cod when walking down the rock wall Next time I'm in Southbank I'll have to try under that bridge! And I know my lure was hard up against structure because I could feel it bumping along the rocks. Cheers Hamish

I'm sneaking out my telescopic rod, some bread, and some lures (from Sam Steele) right now... To Southbank so I can catch bream and cod! I think I've thoroughly pi$$ed off my mum though, so I'll have to earn some brownie points this arvo Cheers Hamish

Hey jon Yep, they've sure been a bit tricky at the moment. I was thinking that too, as the majority of the ones I've caught have been in April/May, so the temps in September/October may be similar, causing similar fish to be caught! Yep, it was very nice out there. In my defence everyone, my dad would've been far more reluctant to take me out if I'd told him we were smashing it, (and his reaction was bloody funny when I told him). ... But I've got nothing to say about unpacking everything. Guess I was too tired You could start paying me $90 every time I fish with you as I am now the family charter man? Hi rayke1938 Yep, same here. Almost always when the water is more saline I catch better fish. That is very interesting, a jew that big must've been a stonka! I met one fella there who caught a 1M+ jew off the jetty, but that was when it wasn't fished so hard. Another great story you tell, thanks for sharing Cheers Hamish

Hey rayke1938 Nice one. The new ramp will make life easier. The yellas will be yummy Cheers Hamish

Will do Greg. I hope there's a couple days break in this crap weather. Cheers Hamish

Thanks for the tip. I'd better start looking at that if it may be more accurate. Cheers Hamish

Hey GregOug Yep, the weather is looking bad for all of this week... Thursday seems like the day to go out, as according to Seabreeze there'll only be 1M swell and 5 Knot winds. ellicat and GregOug, if we are going to organise a trip hopefully the weather forecast is better next week Cheers Hamish