Sylvathorn

Haven't bought a new baitcaster in years, so I've never owned/used a DC braked reel. I was originally taught to cast baitcasters by a very good Tournament caster, so once I got OK, (never got quite as good as him), the first two things I did whenever I bought a new reel was remove the centrifugal brake discs and polish the drag washers.

Glad to hear you're on the mend Ray

thank you Andrew_P, as I do them I'll post them, some of my old builds are on our FB rod repairs page : Misha Margie | Facebook

now I'm really jealous!

Yep, I agree Bob9863 , when I'm doing a restoration, I try to match the hatch as much as I can, while trying to maintain 'fishability - like putting on modern, old look guides for practical reasons. I was doing this kind of binding work before this rod was made, and it was originally built using C grade thread, had to improve that, so I felt at liberty to go for it re Match the Hatch, I have someone who has asked me to price an old bamboo rod to use as a restoration 'Show Piece' will need a LOT of work, I desperately want to do it, said I will do it for half price .... hope I haven't scared him off!!! If I get the job I will be wanting to match the period, not overdo, not too fancy etc., I've even been scrounging up wire guides in my old Stuff to match the hatch. ;)

agree with early 70's re cork, they were also using wood butt combined with hypalon foregrip by then, also guides throw me a bit, straight steel. This may well have been a 'nostalgic' model The butt cap rules out too much older ... not really sure with this?? but then I'm not a historic JW expert

Thanks for the support all. You do these because you look at these old rods and think, naaah this is what you were meant to be. I've got an old Bonnie Doon II back there, just waiting for me to find a Tip section I can rebuild and finish it with .... why ............. because ! and if you've got one and would rather do it yourself, let me know, you can have the butt section.

yep, parts can wear, can't stop it, and I so love my 7000 too Ambassadeur made some seriously good gear!

What can I say that hasn't already been said? You can't go wrong with top end quality gear. Back in 81 or 82 I bought an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 Thumb Bar release, which I added a ratchet to, and a Abu Cardinal 52. Both were Made in Sweden models. I've caught lots of fish with them over the years and they're still going strong 40 years later.

one of my bigger projects has been refurbishing an old custom rod based on a SnyderGlas blank (I love their blanks). Originally wrapped with C grade thread and a pretty basic design. Now wrapped with A grade thread and I think a more interesting design. I'm adding pics of the wrap as it progressed as well.

The restoration is progressing nicely (fitting it in between other repairs / rebuilds), the guides on the tip section were about 30 degrees off the backbone, which I have corrected. I have also finished guides, tips and varnished (added a white under-bind. The reel seat came up reasonably well with an old toothbrush and a bit of jewlers rouge. Still have to clean and varnish the butt.

One thing I haven't mentioned. They are alloy and will bang in a head-on sea if you don't get your speed right. Quarter it and they are fine.

120 litres in the main tank, the big Yam 4 stroke is very fuel efficient, uses about 3 litres p/h trolling at 5 to 8 kph and roughly 9 p/h at 3/4 throttle (35 to 38 kph). She generates bubbles under/between the hulls so there is very little drag, hence motor never works hard. Very similar fuel usage to and almost as good as the Hydrofields. Couldn't believe it the first time I took her out trolling on the Broadwater - 3 1/2 hours and used about 8 litres.

some seriously nice fish there

I have an old Stessl alloy cathedral hull with alloy Bimini top(Hydrofield clone), 6.1m (7m with pod) that does all of the above, although launching in small rivers would be difficult. Weight inc trailer is just under 2 tonnes. It's super economical to run. It now has a 9.9 auxiliary and can run at hull depth with the main motor up. Something around 18 foot would probably be great for your needs. However I don't know if anyone makes anything like them nowadays, but would be worth looking to see if someone does.

Thanks Andrew, they give me a bit to work with, hopefully I can get it right

Hi AFOers, I'm currently restoring a Jarvis Walker Shoalhaven and need a pair of photos of the Logo Sticker with the Black Whale on the left and the Australian Made on the right. I need two as the whole sticker wraps around a bit. I should (hopefully then be able to merge and print a new sticker. If I can't get pics of the Shoalhaven, pics of another Jarvis Walker rod of similar vintage should be enough as the Whale and the Australian Made, should be enough, just a bit harder matching the font for the "S". see pics

Snyder Glas blanks were very popular with builders in the 70's and 80's. Always had a reliable working curve, be it ST, MT or FT and their Backbone is solid, easy to find and super easy to distinguish from the minor BB. Could be a little finnicky with the ribs, but no real issue for passably experienced rod builders. Basically if you built around a Snyder blank you could be confident of a solid result. Heavier wraps were very popular for surf rods, especially the 7-144. It could cast a 6oz all day long in the hands of the experienced, no tricks or sprays. I've built heaps on them and if/when I find one in a Garage sale will always snap it up cause I'm confident of doing something special with it. And Andrew, if I do find one I'll let you know, even if it means that you get to rebuild and not me

Yep, agree on the telescopics, I wouldn't touch them. I have two of old 4 piece Daiwa Heartland's with a ABU Cardinal 52 and a Penn 4200 SS and they are brilliant.

I love Snyder Glas too. I currently have 7, ranging from an old ultra-light (based on the old Browning M1 blank), a FT60, two FT67's, a MT484 extended to use as a light surf rod, a FT120-4W and one custom built as a 7' 6" barra rod by ATS that looks to be 10 to 15kg, that I am currently refurbishing (along with an Ironglass GH4, and a Jarvis Walker Shoalhaven) plus a few repairs. Not sure if I'd sell any, (definitely not the M1, FT60 or the 67's) but if I decide to sell some I'll definitely let you know. Biggest problem is that the postage would be a killer!