Huxstang

Any superglue will do it pretty much. I dont but some use it on their braid to leader knots to improve move through the guides for wind on leader.

Well done, good sized fish. I am never sad about taking a responsible feed of fish. A bit like the new spanish mackeral limit of one per boat - one is a good amount of fish for 2 people on a boat. You cannot eat it in a single sitting

Trout is definitely on my bucket list of fish to catch. But I know zero about trout fishing. Anyone got ideas around Tenterfield - think maybe some cool weather camping and shore based. I like the idea of walking the bank and flicking some light lures in.

Looking awesome. Always amazed at NZ for producing such great boats. Surtees, Extreme, McLay to name a few.

Yes I will be mainly bay and northern rivers. If the weather is good might pop out the front. I have gone overkill GT56 for the HD sidescan and a GT51 for a bit more depth. 51 was the right price otherwise could have gone with a Gt15 for traditional CHIRP. Ohh and the electric has a GT56 on it from factory…definitely overkill. I will have a GPSMAP1253xsv and 953xsv on the console and something else upfront for the LVS34. Bride told me to set up new boat exactly how I wanted from scratch.

I remember hearing Nick Whyte say when he was asked about what type of sounder reply that the proper question should be “what transducer do you need”. I have gone Garmin. I think it’s a bit like Apple or Android, I am not smart enough to cope with mixed brands on the boat.I wont scare people with just how much this new boat of mine will have in electronics but I wanted Livescope and Garmin is the tech leader in that space. Their newer sidescan transducer is getting up there compared with the acknowledged leader in the market. Decision got easier with the release of the new long shaft trolling motor. That said if I was setting up for offshore deep water I would probably be going Furuno with some of their fancy 3D transducers. The best screen resolution is definitely GPSMAP 84xx series, the lower end GPSMAP series 1253 etc is same resolution as the top end of Lowrance and the Hbird. Boat will be at the dealer end of the week or early next week so will start my electronics install sometime toward end of the month. Pics in my own thread when it is underway.

Peter Herbst is also another pretty decent fisherman. I gather a tournament guy but knows how to catch fish in the bay pretty well. I don’t mind Sammy Hitzke and the other one I rate is Nick Whyte - Marine Tech. Prefer the hard core fishing rather than chatter boxes and squealers. One guy I havent minded too much because he is just a no frills guy is Leigh (xxxx mental blank). Travelling aus with a motorhome towing an ally with wife and 2 kids. He has dreads, kids has a mullet, but they are good with a rod in hand and he knows how to find fish on a sounder. No fuss no crap. Does have decent gear that is well used but isnt advertising anything - another plus

I’m with you - I think Greg’s content is by the far the most informative. I think he would be a good one to get out in a boat with and pick up some skills. I noticed even on the recent Swains Wilson trip he was putting the boat onto the fish in deeper water.

I think Hamish is an old soul in a young body.

Always better than sitting at home. Got the corona and bored stupid sitting at home.

Must appeal to a different generation or?????

A mates son sent a link through to these guys the Mad Huey’s and I watched the videos and was quite stunned. My previous exposure was a few manufacturers website with the boats all done up as “Mad Huey’s”. I was thinking - right mad keen fisherman or something and promoting their clothing. I am not sure what to think about these dudes - they were in a half cabin alloy boat and charging between a channel in what I would say was open or close to open waters. Acting life what some people my age might call farksticks, holding open beers and not one was wearing a PFD. As they went through they hit rock and hole the boat. Now I’m not sure whether I am a grumpy git or what, but for the life of me I couldnt work out what they were trying to prove other than that they were complete idiots that wanted to set a crap example to the impressionable. I wonder whether the boat manufacturer will give them a discount on the next build after treating their product like that!! Hope they didnt claim insurance

Damn you Bob -lol. Forced me to buy a Conquest MD since you wouldn’t!! Digitaka to the rescue again. Not sure whether I will run it on a Millerods OneFreak or maybe but a longer 7 foot swimbait rod. Picked up a 7 foot ACM custom on a 10-17lb North Fork blank and its sweet. Never thought I would like a bait caster that long but it so nice to cast.

One of the best defensive efforts I have seen from the Broncos in as long as I can remember. They are really starting to work well in defence together. This team will win a premiership. Not this year but within 2

Barra can be programmed stand alone without the rest. Guys are putting them in everything - mate has one in a HG Holden Delivery (if in Brisbane and you see a light green one with VB signs that is it) with over 1000hp. Not suggesting you go that way at all. Personally I would go with a Toyota 1HDT or 1HDFT which is essentially the Yanmar 6LP so you will get the gear to marinise.

Get onto Chris Britton mate. Down at Redland Bay. Now full time rod making. Good guy - was on Swains Charter with him last year and he can definitely fish. This is probably close to what you want 9 foot, 6-10kg but if you talk to him he will give you plenty of guidance. On FB as well and responds to messages. https://www.chrisbrittonrods.com/product-page/samurai-slugger-6-10kg

Bob, Have a look at the new Conquest MD. I had a look and feel of the 300 size at two different stores locally and like all high end Shimano are just glorious pieces of machinery. I understand with this latest version they have lowered the palming side of the reel again over the last series Conquest. They are apparently in short demand. I have not used a DC reel but heard a few comments about the noise and then there is the sheer number of Curado DC’s that come up second hand and I wonder if the noise thing is a real issue.

A bit like my golf gear - you cannot buy a golf swing. But nothing wrong with enjoying using good stuff. The balance of a quality rod and reel, the mechanical precision of a nicely machined reel and the reaction of a high end blank. If you can afford it - do it. Bit like golf clubs, high end shafts and forged irons feel remarkable even if you aren’t Tiger Woods. I have a mixed bag of gear, Shimano reels and my old Abu’s from the early 90’s. I love the action on my old Loomis 665 but the Venom Stickbait is so powerful and smooth makes me want a Venom baitcasters. Modern reels are an absolute revelation. The Bantam is so much nicer than the old Calcutta’s or Abu’s, you could seriously cast it all day. The smoothness of carbon drags and the crazy amount of pressure they can give at the same time is also things you get with $$ spent.

Ordered on 7 April - arrived midday today. No additional duty. Total value was under $800. Cost @$20 shipping for the two items.

A little about off the jetties and stuff. Issue is locating them and whether they close enough. Did say they dont believe burley works

Anyone else go to the ultimate prawning night at Anaconda, Tingalpa last night? It was my first visit to one of these store nights and I thought it was really well done, clearly a sales pitch for Drew and his cast nets (which look awesome regardless and I am sure worth the investment) and the guys from Garmin (which I dont mind as well as I have their gear as well). However the content was really good and informative - actual video of the prawns behaviour generally for those of us less informed and also what they look like on sounder and Livescope and talking through the settings and interpretation (which is the key IMHO). Cost me money as I ordered a Livescope for the new boat but the deal was too good to pass up. Funny thing is I have all 3 of my planned transducers for a boat that hasn’t been completed. Team at Anaconda ran a good night So if you have not done one of these before I would say you should give it a go…also dont leave before they finish the prize draws….a few people missed out on some nice stuff.

Hey Ed - I think it only applies to companies who export a certain value amount to Australia so the big ones like Basspro and whatever sit in a certain bracket. Small volume exporters are exempt. If anyone is interested they can look up the values. I know my preferred mustang parts suppliers all fall into the high volume/value category sadly.

Let you know, ordered another Bantam for a mate and Grappler reel for me. Should arrive either tomorrow or Monday based on current tracking

Cracking fish Bob. Something I really want to get into when I retire is some cod fishing. Should be a good excuse for a new rod or two

I love baitcasters, I love lures, I don’t use them enough LOL. I am with you the Conquest 200 would be a lovely, and I would love an Ocea Conquest 300 for light jigging but it just wouldn’t get enough use at this point