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Any photos of the reel? How does it feel to use?

I haven’t been able to fish my spot yet due to the crazy winds we have had for the past few months. I have been stuck estuary fishing. The few times the weekend looked good, I had other commitments.

Stradic's are fine to take apart. Just do it slowly and 'learn' the reel. If it's the first time you've done a Stradic, have a schematics on hand. I always have a schematics on me until I know how to do the reel off by heart. I would replace them as soon as possible. They drag washers are really horrible and compress really easily. CarbonTex is the way to go.

Thanks guys. I might just keep it as a light bottom bashing outfit. I have other reels which can put out 12kg+. I love the reel and it works like new. I have only ever been smoked once due to my patience. If a fish smokes me into the coral, I just grab my second combo or sit it out and wait for it to swim back out. 10 minutes waiting isn't a big deal. I have pulled many large fish out with this method. With this method, I can still use this reel. I was just hoping I could increase the drag to stop having to do this multiple times every trip.

Okay. I won't bother changing the washers. I might experiment with changing a few bits in the reel and see how it goes.

Thanks but I am not after a new reel. I have hit double digits in combos and my parents would kill me if they found out I bought a new reel. I might just have to live with it.

I might have to get a new set of washers. I only want a few more kilos of drag. I have a Fin Nor 9500, a Saragosa 8000 and a Saltist LD40h to cover me, but I really like this combo. I am building a jigging rod for the Saltist so that will be another combo to use.

I can't get rid of it as it's sentimental and I am not selling a Made in The US $600 reel. You can't buy these anymore. I might just have to add extra pressure with my thumb.

Hi all, As some may know, I use a Penn International 975 for reef fishing. It's a solid reel and paired to my Wilson Live Fibre, makes a good reef combo. I would like to increase the max drag though as the reel can only pump out about 5-6kg of drag. Is there any way I can re-engineer my reel to do this. I am confident in pulling apart reels and have serviced many reels. Could adding extra tension washers under the star drag do anything? I am not experienced in increasing a reels drag so am new to this. The washers are already good quality (HT-100) and I grease all my washers.

Thanks. I might be knocking on their door on the weekend.

Okay. Where is that post? I couldn’t find it.

Yeah. It’s a 75hp Mariner now. There are a few outboards in my area that would suit. I am confident we can buy the boat for a good price. Even $2750 wouldn’t be a horrible deal. Obviously I am going to start much lower and work my way up. The boat is just going to waste, I am sure the people will want to see it go.

Yeah. Not enough fishing room on the Yalta Craft. Didn’t bother. There is as 4.5m Quinnie sitting in a family members neighbours backyard. It has been there for 3 years just sitting there. I am going to make an offer. They have never used it and the motor is shot. It’s. I side console and very beamy.

They wanted $4500 but we were going to offer $4000 cash. There is a nice 4.6m aluminium centre console about 4 hours drive from me. It has a 70hp evinrude. The only problem is driving down for a look. My parents aren’t that keen on a huge drive to look at a boat. I’d rather the centre console though for the added fishing room. I am not going to offer the Yalta Craft guy much as I am not super keen on a half cab. Especially for estuary fishing.

The plan is to spend about 6 grand or less on something bigger than 4.2m. It needs to be able to fish a minimum of 3 people. I think you can fish 4 in the Yalta Craft. He has it for $7500 now but, when I rang him up to talk about buying hull and trailer only, he said he could do $6500 for the lot. How much do you think the outboard is worth? It was serviced in the last 6 months. I need to check the history though. I am not paying $6500 for the lot anyway. I am going to offer cash if it’s any good and get a better deal. I’ve only been looking for about a month or two. I am going to give myself 6 more months until I save for a bigger boat.

Hopefully it’s not a bomb. The punt sold today and we were looking at it tomorrow. Guess we were too late.

Thanks for the advice. There are a few sand cays around the reefs that I could take shelter in (fishing Kings Point is no problem due to the bay right next to it which shelters the Southerlies). Along with the tinny we are looking at on Sunday, we are planning on looking at a 4.5m Yalta Craft halfcab. I rang the bloke up so just have to tee up a time. My mate has a 6.2m Yalta Craft and it rides fantastically. The boat has a 1998 Merc on it so we are planning on selling it for a more reliable motor. It could be a bit overpowered with 115hp. I like how the transom is also reinforced with steel as it gives it longevity.

A v-nose punt isn’t ideal, I know. But the boat is an excellent price and if it’s in good condition, I will get a sea trial. I have done some research and found they don’t ride as badly as people say. You need to be parallel to the waves and they ride perfect. They aren’t good head on or on the quarter. I talked to some people and they have been out to the reef in a 3.9m tinny and out to Fitzroy Island on a 14ft flat bottom punt. If the weather is 5-10 knots, you can go as far as your fuel will allow. Anyways, if the boat has anything wrong with it, I will leave it.

I just order it online. Yudeli braid (on ebay) is also good. I never get wind knots with it and it doesn't stretch. I have never had any problems with it.

I have reels with braid that costs $80 for 300m and some with cheap $23 for 1km braid. The more expensive braid is slightly smoother and thinner. I can’t justify paying the extra price for it though. I have pulled up some big fish on cheap Chinese braid and have full confidence in it.

Thanks guys. I am a tough, fish- hungry teenager so have no care for been comfortable. My father on the other hand would probably prefer to just keep it in the creeks. The motor is a 3 cylinder 2 stroke. I have some photos of the boat. Maybe it looks just got the length wrong? I will get a sea trial done and if I don’t like it, I will shop around. I am in no rush. Really, if I don’t find a good deal in 5 months, I am just going to save up for something at least 5m I can hit the reef in. It’s a private sale as well.

Okay. We are sort of considering selling the electric if we purchase the boat. 30hp is sort of under-powered but the boat isn't a reef boat. It's really a fishing platform made for live baiting and lure fishing. Luckily Kings Point is on the coast so I should be fine to get there. I want to do some more research as I have never fished the spot myself and my family member (who has the spot) hasn't fished it in 20 years. He said that the weather was much different back then. You could still go out to the reef in high winds as the swell was much lower. For some reason, the swell has grown (probably climate change) over the years. I don't think I will bother getting a spotlock motor (unless it's a cheap secondhand one) as I can't justify spending that money for a little tinny when I can just use 2 anchors. I'd rather save it or spend it on a better outboard down the track. I want to get a sea trial just to make sure the boat will plane with the outboard. It is a 2 stroke so should have some grunt.

Hello everyone, I will be looking at a 4.5m Savage Jabiru on the weekend (chose to go bigger). Would I be able to hit Kings Point (Cape Grafton) in Cairns? Has anyone had experience with these boats and can give me a good opinion? The boat comes with a 7 inch Garmin unit (with sidescan and all the goods) and an electric on the bow (just a watersnake with no spotlock). It has a 30hp Yamaha which may need replacing in a few years (cowling is faded but motor supposedly runs well). Thanks and tight lines.

Thanks. I am looking at a 3.5m tinny with a 20hp Yamaha on the weekend. Could you fish 3 people in it? It will just be live baiting.