ggg

Reels should never be rinsed. I have been given expensive lever drag game reels which have been rinsed before I serviced them. All the bearings rusted and the drag washers were soaked. The customer told me he rinsed it 2 weeks before servicing, after he took the reel out of storage. I cannot image fishing with this reel. Especially if it held water for so long. The washers would fall apart on a good fish. Rinsing can also push contaminants further into the reel. I just wipe my reels down with a baby wipe and service them about twice a year. I have some 15+ year old reels which work like brand new.

Okay. I can't get a license yet but I will be going with either a person who does have one and someone who can get one. I believe the practical only takes a few hours too.

Hello everyone,

I have just gotten permission to purchase a small tinny for putting around Cairns. I don't intend on going much under 12 feet. I will also probably need a 6hp as well. Should I just go and get a 15hp or will a 6hp be enough for 3 people and gear? I won't be allowed to go by myself yet so there is not much point of a 6hp besides the price. I am not too impressed on the speeds I have seen with a 6hp but there is little I can do about it. Once you have been up to speeds of 53 knots, you don't want to go much slower!

Thanks and tight lines.

Awesome session Tony. Is that the place you told me about? I made the mistake surveying that particular spot when the swell was up and it was 20 knots. I sort of wrote it off due to the horrible weather. I fished the Barron mouth yesterday with little luck. I filleted one of the mullet I caught and had it hammered soon after casting out. Unfortunately the circle hook couldn’t find its mark and the fish stripped the bait off. A few livies went MIA after a some light taps as well. I will have to try that spot if I am not fishing the headlands. The flat weather will create an excellent session off the rocks hopefully. 

Maybe ask your sponsors. They may give you some cash or possibly some old packing wood and offcuts.

I reckon go for a centre console. You will have much fishing room in a smaller boat and doesn't get in the way. With the weight further up the boat, the boat should bang less as well.

If you want a soft ride and still want aluminium or plate, go with Quintrex. I have ridden many hours in a 5.1m Quintrex and they are fantastic, dry rides. I am talking about the boats with the blade hull,  millennium hull etc.

I think what the people before said is totally right. As the little 'harbour' up in Hinchinbrook isn't dredged (they have no money). There are $200,000 game boats and yachts sitting on the mud and debris every time the tide goes out. It can't be super good for the fibreglass etc. but plate should be alright.

Don't really know much about fishing in your area but you will be fine. Up in Cairns, I know people who go 60km's offshore in a 4.2m tinny. Takes 3 hours but totally worth it before you buy a bigger boat!

Okay. 

Has the reel arrived yet GregOug? I am curious to see what the verdict is.

Thanks. I will have to give it a go. If worse comes to worse, I might end up catching sand crabs.

Hi all,

Just wondering if you can catch mud crabs off headlands? I have a spot off a Cairns' headland and would like to crab it. I am not too sure if the bottom is muddy or not but there is a lot of rocks and areas for the crabs to hide in. Will there be mud crabs there?

Thanks and tight lines.

I know what is wrong. I’ve had this happen with Stradics before. The little trip that works the automatic bail arm (when you begin to turn the reel and the bail closes) is stuck slightly open. It nicks every time the reel passes the other piece that is next to the anti-reverse mechanism of your reel (sorry I don’t know the technical terms for these parts). I usually just put a bit of penetrating oil on the piece and work it in by opening and closing the bail arm. It may take a few minutes. You will need to remove the rotor to do this. 

10 hours ago, jon said:

Hi mate is this torsa still available

No it's not sorry. I was keeping an eye on it and it sold in a few days after I sent this message out. I've learnt the hard way. Always be quick on the stuff you want.

will do.

Please tell us how it goes. I am almost certain it is dodgy though. You can't possibly make an honest profit off that sort of sale. The materials would cost that much! The photos I can see on the website have no 'Shimano' on it.

Okay. I will have to ask if they have had it serviced or stripped down. If I can pull off this deal, I will be very delighted. I am going to have a look at it on Friday. I plan on building a jigging rod for the reel. It has both an anti reverse bearing and a dog.

Okay. The only thing I will be removing before (hopefully) swapping is the preset system. I find it's a good indicator of the reels condition.

The BG will be more of a bulletproof reel. That is not saying the Baitrunner can't take any punishment. Both are great reels but the ability to have a secondary drag would sell the Baitrunner to me. Don't go the 'OC' series. Make sure it's either the Thunnus (great reel) or the 'D' series. I also recommend the BG. Both are fantastic reels.

Hello everyone,

I have received an offer for my Shimano TLD 10. The person would like to trade a Daiwa Saltist 40LDh. I would like to trade but the person has told me of a problem. I will be going to have the reel in my hand in a few days but want some tips. They have told me that when the reel is under full drag, the handle moves backwards. Is this just the anti-reverse bearing failing? I can replace that with ease if so. Also, any other tips for buying used reels? The reel appears to be in good condition from the photos. There appears to be no salt corrosion on the outside.

Thanks and tight lines.

I buy the Daiwa J Thread mono fishing line for leader. It's very thin for the strength. I just use the cheap stuff for reef fishing. You could lose 30 metres of leader in a day fishing the reef!

I have 2 pairs. One pair of Oakleys and a pair of glass lensed prescription glasses (I am slightly short sided). Both are polarised and are fantastic sunnies. The Oaks have special coloured lenses supposedly better for bluewater fishing. The others are a grey tint for low light and murky water. They work fantastically. 

Thanks. I find though, that I tend to be more productive fishing on the coast. I might just have to go back to the Stratford jetty. Apparently Yarrabah is opening up next Friday so might fish my spot.

Hello everyone,

With this horrible wind in Cairns and Yarrabah closed, most of my options are gone or difficult to fish. Any advice on where to go? I fished the Stratford jetty with no luck only a week ago. I was out of the wind though. I only want to fish saltwater. I’m not my best at Tinaroo!

Thanks and tight lines.