41cm, 1.25kg. The comparison fish is 26cm, the legal limit size in Qld is 25cm so that is the smallest I typically take home. (usually target 28-30cm) Shorncliffe usually produces at least a couple around 30cm most nights. 25-28cm are common, and smaller ones can reach plague proportions. :)
I pulled that big-boy up on a $50 Pryml rod & reel combo from BCF.
The only extra money I spend on my rods is putting some decent line on them. For fishing around structure I go with 10lb braid (Power Pro, sea green or a smoke colour) and a 20-25lb Daiwa sealine for a leader. (1~2m) Braid is prefered for putting the brakes on fish intent on getting to structure. Even still, this guy got me around a pylon that I had to wait him out to get him off it and back into open water. That is where a good leader comes in to ensure the line doesn't get cut.
For hook a size #4 or #2 long-shank Mustad brand hook, and a size #0 running ball sinker. Bait is a homemade dough bait that I mold onto the hook. It's effectively cotton candy to fish like bream and I favour it around structure as it keeps the hook fully concealed, with the small sinker this reduces the risk of snag-ups. If there are fish around, this stuff will get them biting typically within 30 seconds of hitting the water.
The tip to running braid without breaking the bank is that you don't need to spool an entire reel with braid. One 300ft spool of braid is enough for 4-5 reels for estuary fishing. Simply spool off ~20-30m of the default mono that comes on the reel, then tie on the braid and spool on the 30m of braid. When using a mono leader on the end, the 30m of braid is more than enough for fishing around jetties or shore and you won't lose any during bust-offs, just the leader.
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