camotec

Hi All just giving the latest, I rang shimano and told him what happened and he sent out a replacement with not questions, receipts etc. mind you nit that anyone without the reel would want the part. and it arrived today and I put it in and I am clicking again!!

Thanks guys, The reel is only 2 weeks old and as yet have only used in fishing fresh water. But I will give Shimano a call and get the part sent out. I will grab some of that grease too. as I should service my Shakespeare Balance reel too as it has been in saltwater. Thanks for the replies guys, helpful as always.

Ok it looks like I have broken a small spring type setup on the inside of the spool. (the part that rachets on the centre spline). I will need a repalcement part as the part is clipped in and crumbled when I touched it. I was being to hard on the reel

Hi Guys/Girls, I went fishing recently and was unsuccessful trying to retreive a snagged lure ($36 Jackal - Never again lol) and as a result I think I have damaged the drag on my Shimano Sienna reel. the drag still seems to work but it no longer makes the whizzzz noise. Any advice? Cheers Ben

Very nice fish. Good Work!

Haha Facebook is wonderful isn't it, never know when it will come back and bite ya one day lol

Thats an awesome effort man and a good read.

Ok I ended up getting 2 reels and another rod for the boat. I got a light action AquaTip - I know its not as dear as one I should have gotten but I bought a Shimano Symetre in a 2000 reel for $149 and also a Shimano Sienna 1000 reel for the Aquatip. I then loaded both up with Fireline 6lb pink and Nitlon 8lb DFC for the leader. I didn't want to get a graphite rod just yet because if my other mates who aren't really fishos yet have a go I just dont want to worry about it being damaged. if it is dropped or put down hard in the boat etc. But either way I have to stop spending and start catching the fish so the wife can see the benefit. lol Cheers Ben

All good suggestions and information. Thank you. I will check them out for sure. I would like to be all setup before the PIRTEK comp in April as I am planning to go out with a couple of mates in the tinny to catch a few nice fish (hopefully). PS: I just worked out what the 1000/2500 means lol, it helps when you read lol. I will look at 2000 size reels. I have a decent shakespere 2500 reel on my ugly stick which is very smooth and the antireverse stops the bail from spining back at all and it is a 4+1 ball bearing system thats "computer balanced", it actually does feel really good. compared to the Daiwa 2000 size reel on the D-Shock is not that good. and is nowhere near as smooth. I will wait a couple of months and buy some really nice rods. however in the meantime I will need to make do with new line 6lb fireline and vanish leader on both of my current rods/reels I think. The wife has spoken lol. mind you I did buy a boat last week. haha.

Hey Guys, I found out I was using the rod while the spool was not sitting on the bail correctly (If they are the right terms) I pulled it all apart and put it back together and now the d-shock although cheap it seems to be alot better quality then when I first started using it. However the line itself is still terrible. So I guess I am really after a suggestion for the line now. mono or braid? and any suggestions on brand and color and the leader. currently using Berkley Vanish leader and it seems good but if someone thinks something else is better I want to know about it Cheers Ben

Hey Guys, I have an ugly stik with balance reel and love it but I want another rod for the boat. I bought a 2nd cheapy ($59.95) a Daiwa D-Shock 6' Medium Light rod which came with a D-Shock egg beater Reel which was pre-spooled with the crappiest line I have used lol. My question is should I keep this rod and reel and just spool it with a better line or am I not going to be flogging a dead horse & be better with another light combo for say $100-150. (if so, any suggestions on model). or would I be better with a medium combo as the spinnerbaits I want to use seem to be over the recommended weight for this rod?? I just dont want to have to worry about the rod so I can get on with the actual fishing part lol Keep mind this rod will be used in a boat solely and only for fish anywhere up to 5kg. Also recommendations on line types and brands for main line and leader would be good, I mainly want to catch redfin, golden perch (apparently they taste like old train oil), brown/rainbow trout etc. I will mainly use my ugly stik for flathead and most saltwater excursions for the time being as I will replace everything with better stuff in about a year. Cheers Ben

I am going to enter this with 2 other guys at work but when will we find out what fresh water fish will be eligible?

Thanks for the comments guys. I have made some modifications and am keen to get out again. I have a cutting board in the back corner now too and have modified it with a burley hole which goes overboard. it makes cleaning it a bit easier too. Cheers Ben

Well the bigger Redfin will definetley be worried, because I have their children. Lets just hope they pay the ransom. Cheers Ben

I did but I dented the boat some more, hehe not really, I almost fell overboard, does that count?.

Hey Guys, I took the still "un-named" dinghy out on Saturday to Ben Chifley Dam and it was a pleasure to tow and drop in the drink. The old school Johnson fired without problem and I was on my way. I caught 3 redfin in about 10mins and then nothing for the rest of the day. I know the motor is only 6hp but it is quick enough for fishing. I need to get a new prop (the current one looks terrible) from Huey as well as a set of water muffs for the motor, but apart from the the boat will definetly do until I buy a bigger one. The whole day was great and it was easy to get on and off the trailer and the only issues all day was the lack of fish in the boat and the fact that I forgot the sunscreen and I am now paying for it with red knees & feet! Thanks and happy days, Ben

Thanks Hodgey! I will definetly have a blast. Just have to work out on the go of how to get the boat off and on the trailer by myself. as I have never done it before. and Yes I will double and triple check the bung lol. I am going to scope it out tonight and see if I can work it all out. Cheers Ben

Hi Guys, I installed some new comfy seats in the Tinny last night, now I just have to paint her Can't wait to test it out this weekend. Cheers Ben

Thanks Guys, the guy I bought the boat from also recommended to do this too. I will measure and grab something from bunnings this evening. I will leave the fuel tank alone and just pull it out to refuel to make sure I am earthed. It sounds like I am saving some money then lol. Ah I am getting those nice seats and clamp on seat swivels to allow me to easily remove them for storage and keeping them out of the weather. Cheers Ben

Thanks Ray, I think I will definetly not worry about putting a whole heap of stuff in. The esky I have is a perfect fit between the last seat and the back of the boat. So I have now commendered the family esky for my boat lol. but I would still like to cover the fuel tank or can they be fitted under one of the rear bench seats? I might just get some marine carpet for the center floor so it looks nice and clean. I am going to buy a couple of padded swivel seats to go on the bench seats to make the long days sitting a little more comfortable. and for $100 each, I am keen to grab em. I am going to mount the fish finder under the front cover at the front of the boat to keep it out of the weather which is why I was looking at storage for the anchor and life jackets. Being a 6hp Johnson motor I realise I need to keep weight down to help the economy and speed up of the boat. Cheers Ben

No dramas, will check em out, Will be calling Hewitt Marine today too and see if they can help.

Hi guys, I am doing up my new old boat and I would like to put in a false floor and put covers over the fuel tank and esky etc. but I would like to know if and where I might be able to purchase lockable lid and insert sets so if I cut a hole in the plywood cover the insert can me bolted to the ply and then the lid will click in and can be locked? I have seen fibreglass boats with this style of lid and insert but was not sure if it is something that could be purchased and fitted myself. My goal is to have a false floor over the fueltank and use a lid to refuel etc and then I could remove the floor section if I need to replace or remove the tank. but have it all hidden away when in use which will allow me to put tackle boxes and the like on top. Cheers Ben

Thanks for the comments guys, appreciate the goodwill. I started templating up covers for the rear section over the fuel tank and esky.

Thanks guys, it doesn't look like much yet but I am handy with paint and I have a Vinyl Cutter and can cut out a nice little design to put on the side. I have a few friends who can tig weld too so I think I will end up with a decent first boat. I will definetly document everything and turn this ugly duckling into a more functional and slightly less ugly duckling It has 12 bloody rod holders on the thing too lol, I think I might remove a few for the moment lol and put a flat floor in the centre and storage and anchor well up front and a false floor in the back to cover the fuel tank and esky lol ok ok maybe I am dreaming but we will see how we go. Cheers Ben