iMick

I trolled all night for Cod in the 'bigdee for my bucks, wouldn't have had it any other way. Mate, just wet a few lines and have a few beers, nothing beats that. Mick

It's interesting you raised this topic because my little Daiwa Certate 1003 feels high quality but far from buttery, and not noisy, but not silent. It sounds like it's got good quality internals. Mick

That's what life's about, can't wait to do that with my little one. Onya mate. Mick

Thanks mate, losing fish like that is what keeps me going back for more. Mick

Thanks mate, it's been a month off the water, and feels great to get back out there. Windy, for us, is a tough nut to crack. We've been there a number of times and never really had a hot session. We assummed that if in Oct/Nov the yellas are in the shallows then maybe in Feb they've gone deep, and it's worked, both fish caught sitting on the bottom, in 40-50' of water next to an under water tree. Thanks mate, they just whack the lure hard, very exciting fish. Still have my Basstracker mate, and still love it as much as day one, I'd only ever sell it to buy something like GregLs' Contenter, but that's a while off. Do you still have yours?

Got a cracker Yella today, fishing with my good mate Che. 59cm and heavy. Lost what could have been a Cod of a life time. Flicking a TN50 around with my new Certate 1003 and Daiwa 1-3kg Spellbinder, and got smashed like nothing before, freight train hit, and then what feels like a bricking.... then it moved, shook it's head, and rasped through my 6lb leader.... oh it burns deep. Still not over it. Would have to be a big cod. Caught tonnes of Yellowbelly, and this was like no other. Very slow day for us over all 5-6 good hit, 2 fish in the boat, and lost a cracker. Mick

GIO mate

I too had problems with my previous provider. I complained until I got a result. After requesting to speak with their retention team, they offered me 50% off for 6 months, with a provision in the agreement that if the service hasn't been fixed in 6 months, I can either get out of the agreement, or continue at the 50% off rate. Now I'm with Telstra, and I'm happy but they have a weird voicemail system. We have consumer laws in place that require a product or service be of merchantable quality, and fit for purpose... my last provider was either, so they got the flick. Mick

Nothing but a good experience with my insurer, little slow to process, but there are flood victims and probably more important claims that needed attention over mine. The good thing is I got a store credit for the RRP of the goods, but I never payed retail for the good... so I'm in front with more expensive gear that's obviously brand new... I'm cheerin' Mick

Very nicely done mate. Mick

Got the call today to say my insurance claim has been approved, and I've got a credit of about $1290 to spend on tackle. I ended up with a 5-9kg Daiwa Spellbinder, which will match nicely with my Shimano Twinpower 5000 (look out Cod and Jews) A Shimano Saragosa 18000 which will match well with my PE5 rated Pflueger Supreme (look out kings) And my favourite of the bunch a Daiwa Certate 1003, matched with a 1-3kg Daiwa Spellbinder (look out Bream, Bass, Yellowbelly, Squid) I was sooo close to adding more money to the budget and upgrading the Saragosa to the biggest Saltiga, but I just couldn't do it, I don't chase enough kings to justify the spend... but wow they look and feel great. I've never really been a Daiwa man, but what the hell, I'll give them a go. Any feedback on the Spellbinder rods? they are great value for money at $180, fast taper and feel nicely weighted I'm itching to get back out there, I haven't fished in a month. Mick

104% and spilling over, get there soon hey Che. Nice fish mate. Skiers don't bother me at Burrinjuck, big system.... They do in the Georges Mick

Thanks for the kind words. My Mrs was doing me the favour moving them into the shed, so I can't blame her. I too hope some good karma comes my way, I spent that afternoon fixing my dads broken down greyhound walker machine... and then that happened, negative karma for me. You're very kind, but I'll be right mate, the insurance should come through soon. I've got some very serious business 'make or break' stuff on right now, and this incident has stopped me fishing, therefore allowing me to concentrate on it, everything happens for a reason. Mick

I'll be rIght once GIO come through mate. I nearly pulled out my 10 year old USA made Penn Spinfisher 8500, poor thing needs a new drag but it will handle most the harbour will throw at it... Beats a hand line.

Thanks mate, insurance should come through soon. I had to take a pic, nobody would have believed that anyone could do something so stupid. Mick

I just rang GIO then, and I do have 'accidental damages' on my policy. I should get a call in a week, to arrange new gear hopefully. Good tip, thanks, go the Chooks 2012. Mick

I could not have hit them anymore square. It was a very sad day... it burnt deep. There will be a small memorial service held under the Spit bridge this Saturday to pay tribute to my fallen friends they will be missed. Mick

I think I'll watch Something about Mary to cheer me up. Mrs put them there while I was cleaning the boat, but it's not her fault.

I backed my boat over not one but nearly all the rods and reels I own, a Pflueger supreme survived the carnage, but my Saragosa 8000 is gone. My 1-3 and 2-4kg rods a done for, but my Twin Power reels are all fine. Great way to start the new year. Mick

Happy birthday mate.

I'm suprised no one has heard of them, little geeky, I know.... Mine are crap compared to some... I must admit I'm suffering from a little cabin fever with all the poor weather and looking after our little one. Merry Christmas

You won't get an argument from me mate. Mick

Anyone into them, either reading or making? Here's three I made today. Mick

I'd say they use aluminium rivets to avoid galvanic corrosion from dissimilar metals being in contact. I replaced mine with stainless screws covered in Duralac, because I didn't have any rivets, but rivots are the go IMO. Mick