Four rods, 2 jigging and 2 spin

Three reels (I cross over a couple of reels between spin and jigging to save weight) Still looking for a box for the reels to stop a crush accident.

Three sets of snorkel gear.

Three wetsuits.

 

Comes to just over 16kg so can round off the weight with some clothes. Lures and terminal tackle will be in bottom of wife or daughters bag.

 

 

CBF

Whk

My charter was a pre-arranged share cost trip and I was asked to turn up at the Marina at 9am. Late the night before I was rung and told "make it 7.30am", which was fine because I was chomping at the bit. So I got there at 7.30am as requested, only the skipper was nowhere to be found. His off-sider was though, and told me that two of the other share-costers had pulled out, and i'd need to pay double (along with the only other reamaining guy). Still chomping at the bit I said "OK", but they had to work hard to convince the other guy (another Kiwi). Eventually, at 8.30am, the skipper showed up and then took his sweet time loading the boat. Finally we're on our way, and despite all this i'm still positive and chomping at the bit. By this stage just excited just be on the way out of the marina.

 

Well I thought we were - just as we approached the open sea we turn and yes...we're on the way to fill up with gas. Finally making it to the front of the queue half an hour later we're full up and finally on our way. Then the fishing actually started, and as i've already related it was very slow. Gear was pretty ordinary and prep was not what i'd expect - cheap popper rods with rings rusted out and leader knots breaking on the cast. God forbid a GT was actually hooked on that gear!

 

I don't do a lot of boat charters so I'm not best placed to compare, but to me this was up to the standard i'd expect in NZ. I thought i'd chosen a decent operator (certainly looked more onto it than many others there). But I don't want to totally bag them because it was clear that they tried and struggled to find the $$ to plough back into the business. Take home lesson for me was to do my homework and not always expect the earth.

 

Cheers

Andy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

so may be a few tips here re flight baggage regs.

 

Firstly if in doubt about anything ring Aviation Security who

are on hand 24/7 & are most helpful. They of course deal

with security matters & your airline can advise re baggage

allowances. Security advised me that mob/camera corded

chargers are ok in cabin luggage as are spooled reels but

of course no blades, screwdrivers or liquid containers with

over 200 ml of liquid & any form of aerosol ... shaving foam

included along with a few other items.

 

Adrian & myself will combine our luggage allowance & hopefully

will come within the limit having paid for an extra bag (rod tubes)

beween us & narurally it will not be allowed as cabin luggage due

to length & weight.

 

I had assumed the 23kg baggage allowance per item would be the

combined weight so with tubes at 16 kg + suitcase 30 kg = 46 kg

divided by 2 = 23 kg. However rang the airline & was told the limit

of 23 kg was per item so some re organising was required.

 

For the rod tubes we purchased a 6 mtr length of 90 mm pvc pipe

cut plus 25 mm longer than rods which gave two rod holder tubes

plus a 2 - 2 mtr offcut & 6 end caps @ approx $75. The two rod tubes

held our six rods plus 3 flyrods. The offcut was utilised to hold various

other items. The caps are held in place with screws in order to be secure

& it is intended to attach a list of contents to each tube so as security

can identify what is inside. The three tubes are bound together by two

belts purchased from the hospice shop for approx $8 likewise a largish

suitcase for $15. The two belts are prevented from moving by a couple

of screws then a strap between them provides a carrying handle. When

I had to reduce the suitcase weight was surprised how much could be

stuffed inside the tubes despite being stuffed with rods.

 

The cabin luggage is supposedly restricted to 7 kg but in my experience

this is seldom checked. If in transit as we are from Ak/Brisbane/Honiara

any duty free drink purchased in Ak will be confiscated at Brisbane as is

over 200 ml but is OK if purchase at duty free at the last transit port in

this case Brisbane or port of dissembarkment.

 

We rang the airline to ask what the max length of baggage was & were

told there was NO max so if feeling mischievious could try taking an item

longer than the plane.

 

 

 

Stunning new plan. Was in Katmadu today and they had this marked down from $240 to $60. Will get the

Right size PVC tube for rods but use your imagination for now.

 

 

Ok rods an reels will be broken down for the trip.

Big thing is the SALE PRICE

CBF

Whk