MIKECATTS

2 hours ago, Knackers said:

Hi Mate. You don't have to use the eye of the hook to snell. You get a much better straight pull on the hook if you don't. Or you can get hooks with an offset eye.

OK.. Ill try that.. I have some 7/0 circle hooks that Im going to use and they have the offset eye..

Its bloody tough stuff to tie.... Ill work it out.. Might loose a fish or 2 learning though..

Ive landed 10kilo snapper with the way I tie my hooks.. But the fish Im targeting are way more aggressive..

Hi all..

ta for all the input.

I practiced some rigs..

Im happy with tying the hooks/swivels on.... Ill give it a go and see what happens...

I used the snell unit knot to hooks and the uni knot to the swivel..

Ill go FG from leader to braid, then uni knot from leader to swivel...

Mike

10 hours ago, Territory Lad said:

@MIKECATTS How do you find the FG Knot Tool to use?

 

Hi mate..

I like it.. works well, easy to use and Im yet to have a knot come undone.. Best $45 Ive ever spent.

I started using my hands.. too hard/frustrating, then made a gadget, see pics. It worked ok but tended to put kinks in the line due to having to be tight to work, then did some u tubing and seen this...

It can tie 6lb braid to 8lb leader no probs....

Ive tied 50lb braid to 80lb leader no probs... doesn't kink the line and the knots are tight..

Mike

I like to fish very minimalistic.

I only have the wading bag, rod/reel, spare spool ready to go, little box of lures, water, scent, fish oil, a couple of rags, one to wrap the keepers in and keep soaking in water and one to wipe my hands/grab the fish, pocket knife, scissors. The FG knot gadget, spool of .28mm leader.

If I have to tie a new leader, I generally walk to solid ground sit down and do it..

Me ,wading shoes in summer, waders in winter, fags and some decent weather.... If I get some keepers  its a bonus, but if not, theres always small stuff about and I do enjoy the experience of it all...

Im only after a couple, for a feed and tend to let most go..

Mike

Im always changing lures.. Hence why I choose clips.... I have my goto lures, but always trying new ones....

Way to hard tying while standing, my old eyes aint as good as they used to be..

Clips on most lures, but Ive found that tying straight to lure with a tight knot if using sugar pens or similar helps with the walk dog action..

If using straight retrieve, I use clips......

The splash prawns don't like clips.. They keep diving under water.. if tied straight to leader they work a treat...

Blades work well with clips.... 

My opinion, but each to their own..

Mike

22 hours ago, Knackers said:

I find FG knots too hard/take too long to tie in the boat or land with a bit of wind. I'm a fan of yucatan and no name/aussie knots. Never had one break. Supposedly the strongest leader to braid knot.

I have the FG knot gadget.. Makes tying them sooo much easier...

15 hours ago, Knackers said:

I generally crimp anything over 100lb. Knots are too big and they can when not under load unwind. (or I can't tie them that well with thicker line).

One of the easiest ways is to get a lure crimping kit like this

one. https://www.wellsystackle.com.au/_products//TerminalFishingTackle/RIGGINGToolsMATERIALS(BaitOrLures)/BlackPeteBaitLureTOURNAMENTRIGGINGKIT-667-969-.aspx?gclid=CjwKCAiAjrXxBRAPEiwAiM3DQu0fFRtIDaq5BjbzOZps1L4Xm6bBTS6AUTGyxFyaRQBYQEo0jgUJlBoCrAAQAvD_BwE

I bought my own crimps but you can also get the parts kit for less.

Here is another cheaper one

https://www.rigmastertackle.com.au/product/crimping-kits-2/

Ta for that.. I like the kit....

17 hours ago, AquaticResearch1 said:

Mike, I tend to tie everything from 150 down. Just keep the knots simple, uni knots to rings and swivels, maybe a Snell to a top hook in a two hook right with a uni fixing the bottom one on.

 

Flourocarbon is a fair bit more stiff than mono, so it makes it harder to tie knots in the heavy stuff imo. 

Thanks mate.... Ill try both methods, Knots and crimps and see what happens..

I fished Point Lowly and kept getting snapped off with 30lb braid/40lb Leader.. So Im going heavy and heading back there soon.. Im determined to find whats out there.

I went fishing with my brother on his boat.. I had packed some bananas for lunch.. He seen them and went ballistic.. I had to eat right away or chuck.. Must be an old wives tail.... We did catch some nice snapper that day though.. And no bad luck?

Thanks guys..

Ill look into it.

another question? Ill be using 50lb braid with 80lb leader..

and 80lb braid with either 100lb or 130lb leader..

Do I tie them with the FG knot? or how do you guys usually do it?'

If I use a swivel from leader to braid.. Whats the best way to tie the braid to the swivel????

17 minutes ago, MIKECATTS said:

Hi all..

Im making up some heavy duty leaders using 1mm 100lb mono leader...… 

Question, Should I tie the swivels/hooks on or use a Alloy Crimp?

If a crimp, should I use a double or single and use a thimble?

and what size? I can only find codes for their particular wire/leaders.

Totally new to this so any thoughts?

Mike

and Im also making some 130lb and 80lb? Thoughts?

and Ive noticed that the real heavy leaders for sale are 80lb and up is mainly mono? why is that?

Hi all..

Im making up some heavy duty leaders using 1mm 100lb mono leader...… 

Question, Should I tie the swivels/hooks on or use a Alloy Crimp?

If a crimp, should I use a double or single and use a thimble?

and what size? I can only find codes for their particular wire/leaders.

Totally new to this so any thoughts?

Mike

Hi all.. Used the "banger" lure today.. Still works. Got my for dinner.. Im happy.. Plenty small ones interested in it.. 

Hi all..

Recieved some lures in the post.. Nicely done and with assist hooks as well.. Couldnt ask for more.. Top bloke.

I had to go and see how they worked. I went this morning ( see my other write up).

They work well.. As good as the sugarpens do, basically the same action etc.

I only had the one on me.. Red head, green stripe underneath, some sparkles and stripes..

There were only small ones around today wanting lures..  This lure got the fish of the morning @24cm... They were smashing this, But being a lot of small ones about.. Was hard to get the bigger ones.

I used it for a bit and it held up well to the abuse..

Done well my friend. Im happy..

ALL CATCH AND RELEASED

Mike

Ill put my hand up.... Im up North and chase them often..

Mike

I have the Diawa Laguna 7ft 2-4kg.... With sienna 1000 with 6lb braid.... Works well for the price.. Cast's light lures no probs... On special both for under $100... Cant go wrong..

1 hour ago, Slowly_evolving said:

Thanks for the comment Mike, I’ve enjoyed reading your fishing reports. Where did you get your Ugly Stik bag from?


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tackle world port rd.... a little dearer than the others.. But I liked it... and if you want a fishing partner for thompsons.. drop me a line and well organise a fish.. Wanting to try some new lures I have..

I have the "ugly stick" bag.. Why? I liked the little pocket with the box for lures.. and the material looked a lot tougher than the Alvey one..

Thompsons is my local.. Been there a few times last/this year.. always get one or two silvers with lures and always lots of undersized ones.. You can thank the local Pro Fisher for raping the area.. I wish they ban them in metro...... Great spot for it..

I use the Knot Assist 2.0.. Works really well... Cost $45 from japan.... I know you can do it by hand.. But the knot assist makes life easier.. It holds my 6lb brad well..

burley up and they will come.. Yorks beach..

slow your retrieve down?????? Keep the rod low, not pointed to the sky.. Might help?

I bought some live beach worms.. wont say where.. only got 10 for $10 in the tub and they were tiny/some dead.... wont be buying them again.. salted pillies/fresh squid always work for me and will stick to that.

Went for a drive/fish to St Kilda yesterday morning... Clear and calm.. I was chasing bream on lures.. They didnt take.. 2 guys caught a few nice bream on baits near the boat launcing area.. Guys at the end caught some salmon trout.. I spotted some silver whiting in the bay side.. Tried some lures.. nothing.. Was a good way to start the day.. Will go there and try a bit harder for the silvers on lures..