**Zziplex Collections**

Hi all,

In this post, I will be sharing some of my views on my all time favourite surf-rods, Zziplex. Currently, I have 4 Zziplex rods and each rods or I should say, models has different actions and bends when you hit a fish at the end of the line.

Profile Match

My first Zziplex rod is "Profile Match" and this is an awesome fishing rod. It is light and the diameter is around 20mm (if I can remember correctly). You can hold the rod all day long without tiring yourself. This a fantastic rod for fishing and my recommendation is to use sinker size ranging form size 3 - size 4. Well it may sound a little bit too light, but do not forget, when we added bait to our rig, size 4 sinker is a good choice.

So far, I do not have trouble loading this rod in order to send my baits to the distance that I want. In addition, I would say that this rod, Profile Match, has a good bite detection. You can even detect a slightest nibble at the end of your line. This is what a good fishing rod is all about.

Federation

My next Zziplex was "Federation". This is an old classic and one of the best models during it's time. I mostly use this rod for casting on the field instead of fishing. However, the "Federation" can also be used for fishing and trust me, this model has a different loading action as compared to "Profile Match". Well, it could be due to the material that was used to make the "Federation" and it's butt is much bigger in diameter as to compared to "Profile Match". The "Federation" is an all time classic which is no longger in production. It is one of my precious Zziplex Collections.

Primo Match

Next in line is the "Primo Match". This is my favourite and most treasured Zziplex rod as it is a precious gift from my beloved wife for my birthday present this year, 2011. This is a good fishing rod that can be used to target the monsters from the deep. However, I would not recommend this rod for beginners as it requires some techniques to load this rod and to maximise it properly during a cast. It is a good and "friendly" rod once you are able to control it with your casting technique. My recommendation for the casting technique when using this rod is the "Pendulum" casting style. Well, I am not saying that other casting styles will not be able to maximise this rod. However, based on my personal experience, I finds that the "Pendulum" casting style is the most suitable for me when using this rod and it able to send my baits miles away. In addition, I would recommend sinker size ranging from size 4 - size 6. The best is to use size 5. ;-)

SeaRaider2

Well, this not a surf-fishing rod, it is more to an uptide boat road. However, I still use this rod as my surfing rod. This rod is a must bring rod whenever I go for my surf-fishing trips. Trust me, this one lucky rods. I have caught quite a number of fishes using this rod. Well, this rod is just about 10 feets in length and my recommendation is to use either size3 or size4 sinker. That's all you need when using this rod. Do not think that this rod is unable launch your bait to good distance. Well, I am able to hit good distance with this rod and ofcourse with a good and proper casting style, you will be surprised how far you can launch your bait using this rod.

In conclusion, each Zziplex models, has its own actions and not all models can fits every casting styles. You need to find a rod that can fits your casting style. A good casting style will give you good distance and good fish, requires good distance. Till then, I see you when I see you.

Regards

Fishanatic.

**Abu Garcia 6500 premium Modifications**

Hi all,

I stumbled upon some photos of my favourite surf-casting reel, Abu Garcia 6500 premium. In this post, I will share with you guys the original photo of my reel to the current one with all the modifications.

The original look before any modifications

This is the original look of my reel. No modifications, trust me. Thanks to my itchy mind, I can't stopped thinking on how to make my reel look better. This is when I started to search over the internet on the various frames available for Abus modification. After much searching, I narrowed down my search to QTC and Zeta Tuning frames. Based on readings, I found out that the ZzetaTuning frames are much lighter and slightly cheaper than the QTC frames and I decided to proceed with the ZZetaTuning frames. Yes! My decision don't proved me wrong. After I have changed my original frame to the ZzetaTuning frame which I ordered, the reel is much lighter and ofcourse, it look much more nicer.

My reel with ZzetaTuning Frame

The ZzetaTuning frame is a perfect fit to my reel and yes, it does make the reel much lighter and gives me a better grip for every casts. Well, I did not stop there, I went on to change the bearing to Abec 7 ceramic bearings to increase the spinning time of my spool and it does help to improve my casting distance.

Again, it is not complete, without a proper stopping mechanism, so I decided to change the original magnet to a centre mag. Guess what, I have orderred the Acetal Centre Mag for my reel and very happy with it. It give me the stopping mechanism that I need and it works perfectly for my reel.

Acetal Centre Mag for my Abu Reel

Well, this is the final look and the final modification of my favourite casting reel. Overall, I am happy with the modications that I have made as it does improve my casting distance and yes, it gives my reel a different look. That's all for now, till then I see you when I see you.

Regards

Fishanatic

***Damai Fishing Village***

Hi all,

Hope you guys in good health and wishing all, "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri". Well, I did not manage to go to the Damail Fishing Village luring pond (Catch and Release) last few days due to Hari Raya Celebration. However, I am posting some photos of my last trip there sometime last year, 2010.

First Hit on Anre's minnow (Suspend action) by Palms.

This Giant Trevelly (GT) did give a good fight especially when you are using light gear. The gears that I used were:

Rod: Genesis Assassini
Reel: Shimano Twinpower 2500
Line: PowerPro 15lb
Leaders: Xzoga 30lb
Lure: Anre's Minnow (Suspend Action) by Palms

Second Hit of the day

I caught this fish towards the last 15mins of the session and boy, I have to thank my lucky star for this. The fight lasted not that long, only around 6mins, however, it was an experience that I will for sure come back for more!! 

The Lure that gotten the hits 

This is the lucky lure for me that day, and hope it will remain as one of my lucky lures collections. I will surely bring this lure for my next luring trip as part of my arsenals. Till then stay tuned for more updates and I see you when I see you.

Regards

Fishanatic

**Rubbery Feels**

Hi all,

I have just mde a trip to Angler's Outfitter (Tackle shop) and again could not resist myself, resulting of me purchased a set of Jamrfin Wobbling Shad Tail (soft rubber lure), a packet of Pentagon Head (jighead) and Decoy Jigging Hooks. Well, I am planning to make a visit to the Catch & Release pond either in Pasir Ris Farmway 1 or Damai Fishing Pond (Johore Bahru). If any of you guys wanna join me, do leave me a comment.

Jamrfin Wobbling Shad Tail by Valleyhill.

This wobbling shad tail by Valleyhill comes in 4 colours, i.e, black, green, gold and red. I have chosen the gold and hope it is a good bet. I will post a catch report soon if am able to catch any using this wobbling shad tail.

Well, the lure is not complete if there is no jigheads. So I have bought the Pentagon Head to use it with the shad tail. As per Benji's advise, I have chosen size 3/0 for the hook and hope it will fit just nice to the shad. Here is the picture of the Pentagon Head that I am talking about.


Pentagon Head

I just bought a packet to try it and if work nicely during my upcoming trip, I will recommend it to all. So stay tuned for my update and catch report.

Last but not least, I also have purchase this Decoy Jigging Hook to place it to my hard bodied lure. By looking at the hook, I feel it can easily fit nicely to my palm's lure. I have yet to fix it to my lure and see it for myself. Again, this will be my other bet when I am going to the Catch & Release pond.


Decoy Jigging Hooks

These are some of the accessories and lures that I am planning to bring along for my trip. Will update again on the catches, provided the lady luck is smiling on me. May the luck be with me!!

Tight lines everyone!! Till then, I see you when I see you...


Regards


Fishanatic

**Accurate Reels Collections**

Hi all,


I am featuring my all time favourite fishing reels that I have been using for all my offshore fishing trips and trust me, its "Accurate" choice that I have made and never looked back.


Accurate TwinSpin 30 (Limited Edition)

This reel is a Limited Edition reel that I have bought for my popping trip. However, I can't bear to use it and it is now sitting as an "exhibit" in my display cabinet.


For those who have been wandering on what makes this reel a Limited Edition reel. My answer is the colour of the reel that makes it a Limited Edition. Well, that's what the dealer told me.. :-)




Accurate Extreme 500 (2 speeds reel)

Another Accurate Reels? Well, that was the questions that have been playing in my mind since I have setted my eyes to this lovely reel last year, 2010. Guess what, without much hesitation, I bought it and never never regret my decision to buy this beauty.


I have used this reel for my May 2010, Sabah offshore fishing trip and it performed flawlessly. It has more than enough drag you can asked for and the best part, it is 2 speeds. You can engage to a lower gear when you have hooked a "big" one at the end of your line and can switch to higher gear when retrieving your line from the deep without wasting much time. Well, what can I say, It's Accurate!




Accurate Extreme 400 (Limited Edition)

Well, when you have started, you can't just stop.. This is my latest collections, Accurate Extreme 400 (Limited Edition). This black beauty was bought early this year, 2011 and it is unplanned. It was raining that day that I have to stop over at the tackle shop (Angler's Outfitters). Thanks to my itchy eyes that laid a sight to this reel and without thinking much, I asked for the price. Thanks to Alvin (one of the owners) whom has offered me a price that I couldn't resist and straight away made the purchase. Like my other purchases of Accurate reels, I have never regretted and never looked back. Well what I can say, It's Accurate!




Accurate 870N

This my very first Accurate reel. After I have used this reel, it have made me realised that I don't need a big and chunky reel to haul up the monster from the deep. A small reel with lots of "power" can do the job and it won't drained me out as it is small and light. This the beginning of my Accurate craze...


Well, that are some of my Accurate Reels Collections and hope to get more of these lovely reels provided my financial permits and for sure with the approval of  Ministry of Home Affairs (wife).


Till then, that's all for this edition of my Accurate Reels posting. I see you when I see you..


Regards


Fishanatic

Starting of a blogging journey....




 Hello all,

18 August 2011 is the starting point of my blogging journey. Thanks to my beloved wife who has indirectly influenced me to this new "addictive" hobby. Well, atleast I am pretty sure that my spare time will be spent here in my blog page. Anyway, I am still in the midst of doing editing to "beautify" my blog.. Let's wait and see how this page will turn out.. *keeping my finger crossed*




Till then, I see you when I see you..




Regards
ReelTeaser

**My first conventional reel - Abu Garcia Ambassaduer 7000**

This is my 1st conventional reel that I bought in Perth, Australia, in 2001. I have been using this reel for bottom fishing and surf fishing. This is one of the simplest reel that I have owned so far. It is not a complicated reel as you can dissemble it and put it back together on your own. I have done the servicing of this reel on my own. Trust me it is a simple reel that an angler could own.


Here are some of the my own review on the reel:

Pros

• User friendly as it is a simple reel that does not need much of setting before you use it.
• It has a level wind that will assist the angler in laying the line neatly.
• Good clicker that will alert the angler when there is a pull from the other end of your fishing line
• Has a good line capacity which is more than enough for bottom fishing

Cons

• The drag is not that fantastic and it needs to be upgraded to after market drags such as Carbontex drag.
• Star drag is not my preference for an off-shore reel (individual preference)
• Not much of a "bling bling" as to compared to other reels in the market
• The level wind will cut some distance if this reel is being used for surf-fishing.

Basically that are some of my review or rather opinion on the Abu Garcia Ambassaduer 7000. Stay tuned for more posting of my other fishing toys..


Till then, I see you when I see you..


Regards

Fishanatic