Bobbyburger

Thanks Guys, it's interesting with the legal braid backing any why NSW is pushing back on these laws. Now the wind needs to piss off so we can go out there and chase something! Hope the YF Tuna are still handing around.

Cheers guys, lots of good info. FoulHooked - any reason why no rollers on the rods? heard they may catch the braid but also that you can get braid friendly rollers.

Never seen a kingy with those banana shaped fins before - Do you use the same setup for the Kings as you did for the Marlin?

Thanks JonD - Helluva catch there on what looks like a Saragossa in a dinghy!! So the braid is a straight connection to the mono via PR knot? I was just looking online, it looks like the game fishing association would need to test both lines backing and mono for records etc - both would need to be tested at the right strength.. so the chances are the braid would be a higher breaking than mono etc but otherwise legal and can fish tournaments etc. I really like the idea of having a versatile setup that can be used for fish like your pics but also still be fun on smaller models rather than just winching them in on a 50W. heard the fishing has been going off down the coast, some big YFT around Sydney at the moment, Sunday looked like a great day with big yellow fin in large schools busting up out wide! Thanks for the reply,

HI Raiders, I have been reading and using info from this site for years but first time posting - great source of knowledge - keep up the good work all round. Might be one for the game fishing section but didn't look like there has been much activity recently, In the last year or so i have been heading out on other peoples boats chasing Marlin and Tuna, had a fair bit of success catching a few Marlin, YFT and some large dollies. Using the gear on the boats i head out with which are more often than not 50 or 50wlrs tiagras with some TLDs and Tyrnos' in the mixer as well, mainly 24kg mono with wind on leaders. I'm looking at getting my own setup, but want something lighter that can do the job, up to decent sized black/striped Marlin Blue's are probably too angry for what i have in mind.. And of course tuna/dollies/anything biting. Reason being i like the idea of smaller lighter rod and reel to feel the fight more and more comfortable to use. I have been reading into the difference of just using mono vs mono topshot with braid backing and it seems there is quite a divide in opinion (as with most subjects on game fishing) as to just sticking with mono on bigger reels or using the hybrid approach. Some articles i have read have said that using braid is an unfair advantage and shouldn't be allowed under the IGFA rules and others say it doesn't have the stretch to be consistent and also expensive etc. Few questions: Thoughts on braid backing vs full mono? IF not using hollowcore connection what is the strongest braid to mono knot that can be used to tie braid to mono? FG an obvious one, but is a bimmini to FG doubled stronger for example? What reel would you use for the above application using braid and topshot? 15/24kg setup. If just mono i would prob go tyrnos or tiagra depending on budget.. Thanks in advance, Mr Burger, PS i should put some report up soon of such outings, bad on my part.