MO

NTH

LYVOLUME 3.

8th October, 2014

Welcome and thanks for joining us in our third edition of JTSM. As always, we appreciate the feedback and I’m happy to report that our rant towards the QLD Tourism body in issue #2 managed to �nd its way back to the relevant department. So keep reading, keep “liking” on social media and keep sharing with mates, and be sure to let us know your thoughts on the topics surrounding our sport. An overwhelming number of readers have requested that we discuss the technology surrounding graphite rods and which style will best suit their Sport�shing needs. So I shall dedicate the majority of this month’s article to the history, development and science behind your favourite graphite rod as well as the usual report on all things �shy, including a guest appearance from “Reidy” (Jack) discussing surprising results in the Northern Fishing Sectors.

With the constant evolvements in new sport�shing techniques, enthusiasts are becoming more inquisitive towards the di�erent styles and tapers of rods. Much press and advertising dollars have been spent developing and marketing fancy plastic baits and hard bodied lures on our shores throughout the past decade. Whilst it pains me to say it, the Bream and Bass competition scene continues to drive not only tournament egos but the constant demand for the latest and greatest

lures from around the globe. For the local sport�shos this has ensured the availability of high quality “tournament winning” lures to be widely available throughout good local tackle stores. Yet little is known by the majority in relation to what type of action or taper they should look for in a rod to best suit their angling needs.

Standing behind the counter of such stores over the past decade in both Australia and the UK, I have observed that the knowledge of keen Sport�shos has evolved no end. �e desire for a product 10 years ago that “did the job” isn’t good enough anymore and the perceived need for cutting edge equipment a must. �e average angler has become well educated in the �elds of reels, line, lures, techniques and terminal developments, however there still lies a grey area in knowledge surrounding modern sport�shing rods. Cult followings through Internet forums and the power of advertising jargon used by pro�teering manufacturers has somehow convinced lure �shing enthusiasts to purchase their latest and greatest rods. �e majority of the aforementioned continue to manufacture lavish colour schemes, fancy names and made up graphite modulus �gures, convincing anglers their products are something more than mass produced Chinese made rods.

cont’d

Any true Spor�shing enthusiast at some stage over the past 30 odd years will be familiar with the name G.Loomis. Gary Loomis was one of the early pioneers in graphite composition and paved the way for all manufacturers to follow. But he was not the �rst. �is title will always remain with the good folks at Fenwick in the USA. �e �rst graphite �shing rods were introduced by Fenwick in 1973 at the AFTMA trade show in Chicago in an endeavour to create a tool that was lighter, sti�er and more sensitive. Like the �rst generation of most manufacturing in that era there was room for improvement. Fenwick became the market leader with their new material but unfortunately durability was a major problem.

Gary Loomis, an employee of the Lamiglass �shing company at the time, recognised the bene�ts of the new material and convinced the owners of Lamiglass that it was a worthwhile venture and the way forward in rod technology. �e design and infrastructure was put in place by Gary Loomis, with the consultation of Harry Mathison, at Boeing in 1974 and is still the recipe used today in the construction of graphite rods. Loomis recounts the pioneering days in graphite rod development in an extract taken from a recent interview below.

“I went to the Seattle library to see what I could �nd

about the material and only found one article. It was

pretty vague, but mentioned that it was being worked

on at Boeing (the airplane company formerly based

out of Seattle). So I went to the Boeing employee gate

and asked every individual coming in and going out

if they knew about or knew of someone who knew

about graphite.”

“As I stood at the gate that day, an employee who had

seen me the day before saw me and said, 'weren't you

here yesterday?' ‘Yep, and I'll be here tomorrow.’ �e

employee told me that I should go to the other gate

where a majority of the engineers went through. I

went to that gate and found a gentleman by the name

of Harry Mathison. He was one of four composite

engineers in the world at that time and he agreed to

talk with me about graphite.”

“If graphite is designed and built with respect to the

material and its properties, it is strong. Because I had

enlisted experts in the �eld of composites and

structures, Lamiglas became the �rst rod

manufacturer to make a reliable graphite rod.”

After spending some years in the further

development of graphite rods at Lamiglass, Gary

Loomis left the company and ventured into a joint business with Taiwan Tackle and began Loomis Franklin Rod Manufacturers. In the new company’s infancy Gary bowed out, took some time to collect his thoughts and determine the future of blank manufacturing.

“�e beginning of G.Loomis is quite a remarkable

story, one day I went home and told my wife I needed

her to sit down because I wanted to talk with her. I

told her I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my

life but it would require that we sell everything we

had accumulated over our lifetime and take the

knowledge I’d acquired over the years and start a new

rod company.”

“We sold everything we had to come up with the

money to start G.Loomis,” he said. “For the next six

months, I completely redesigned the tools of the

blank-making industry and had one more piece of

equipment to �nish before I could get the company

started on production”.

cont’d

Lack of funds threatened to force the closure of the business before it even reached the production stage until Dennis Shiebe from Cabela’s contracted Gary to build 280 blanks a day for 8 months. He explained the situation and the Cabela’s boss at the time inquired as to how much it would take to complete equipment manufacture and be ready to start production.

“I �gured it’d cost me $50,000 to get the equipment

made, buy the materials and get sta�ed up for

production. �at much money back in the 80s was a

tremendous amount of money and I �gured they’d

never give me that kind of money. So I called Dennis

back, told him the bottom line and he asked, “if you

had $50K in your bank, you’d be able to �ll this

order?’ I said yes. His next reply was, ‘what’s your

bank account number? �ree days later I had the

money in our account – I never signed for anything.

It was all on a handshake. I paid back the �rst half of

the money that year and the second half the next. I

continued making blanks for them when I sold the

company in 1997. �at’s how G.Loomis began – on a

dream and a handshake."

If you have a few moments click on the link below where multiple time world �y casting champion Steve Raje� takes us on a 5 minute tour of how a graphite �shing rod is constructed in the G.Loomis factory.

Click to watch

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TACKLE PROFILE

Rod Action�e term “action” typically refers to how quickly a rod returns to the straight position after being bent. �is is possibly the most confused term in all rod speak by novices and professionals alike, as it is thought to refer to the bending curve. �e action of a rod is usually indicated using the terms slow, medium, fast or extra fast and can even be described as a mixture, like medium-fast. �is action can be in�uenced by its taper, length and even the materials used in the construction of the blank. From this explanation we could derive that a blank made of �breglass would be slower than one made of graphite, simply because it continues to wobble more after being bent. Another word used to describe a rods action could also be “recovery”, that is how quickly it recovers to the straight position after being bent.

ModulusBasically “modulus” refers to the sti�ness of the graphite used in construction. It does not refer to how many graphite �bres are used, nor does it refer to the amount of material used to wrap a blank. One of the largest manufacturers of graphite for �shing is the Hexcel Corporation, and whilst many won’t be familiar with this company name, you may be with their trade names. IM6 and IM7 are probably two of the most used graphite cloths in carbon rod technology throughout the past 15 years.

�e trade names IM6 and IM7, produced by the Hexcel company, are not an indication of quality or some kind of industry standard. �ey are simply two varieties of materials produced by this particular manufacturer. �erefore it would be unfair to try and conclude that rods produced using these types of cloth are better than others using proprietary cloth by another manufacturer.

However one could conclude that the higher the IM

number, using that scale, the sti�er, lighter and more sensitive that particular blank will be. �e same conclusion is so using the ton modulus system, the higher the ton modulus rating, the lighter, sti�er, more sensitive and better casting the rod blank will be. �is is what a sheet of carbon �bre looks like prior to wrapping and cutting for the manufacture of a �shing rod.

Rod Taper�e “taper” of a rod describes the �ex on the tip when pressure is applied in a perpendicular mannerto the rods butt. To check a rods taper only a small amount of load needs to be applied to the tip, whilst holding the butt section rigid, for example holding the butt of the rod whilst gently bending the tip on the ceiling. Traditionally variations of taper were described in �ve main categories, slow, moderate, mod/fast, fast and extra fast. Refer to the image below as an indicator for the rods taper.

cont’d

Tackle TipsEvery model of reputable modern graphite �shing rod is manufactured with a particular use in mind.

Selecting the taper of a rod is critical to getting the best out of your expensive lures and plastics.

For example, if you’re intending on soft plastic �shing, choose a rod that is “fast” or “x-fast” in taper with a quick recovery. �is will allow you to cast relatively light weights a long distance and recover quickly after hopping your plastic. Conversely, I would recommend a “slow to moderate” tapered rod for �shing with crankbait style lures. �e rod will load deeper when casting and its more forgiving progressive bend under load will both work the diving crankbait better and aid in protecting light gauge hooks.

Each month, Neil Gri�ths brings you a wealth of knowledge via JTACKLE TV. Following on from episode 5’s discussion about bait �shing techniques for snapper, Episode 6 takes you through a variety of ways for targeting snapper on lures. From the latest thing in micro jigging to the tried and true soft plastic presentations, there’s something for all in this video. To keep updated on all JTACKLE TV- follow us on youtube or keep an eye out on facebook. We hope you enjoy.

JTACKLE TV - EPISODE 6: LURE FISHING TECHNIQUES FOR SNAPPER

WATCH EPISODE 6

OFFSHORE FISHYREPORTWhat an array September delivered, a mix of glassy calm mornings, thunder storms, dreaded NorWesters, rain and strong Southerlies with a few �sh thrown in for good measure. Steady reports from o�shore Moreton and Stradbroke Islands have indicated good numbers of schooling Squiry/Snapper throughout the month. Whilst keen snapper specialists are not setting records in the size department, plenty of good schooling �sh are falling to the �oated soft plastic. �e in�ux of anglers using the new slow pitch style jigs and bay rubber jigs are having success from the 50m lines and beyond. �e e�ectiveness and ease with which these types of lures can make it to the sea �oor in the deeper water allows for presentations to be “in the zone” for a lot longer.

Exciting reports from the heavy tackle Bill�sh �eet this month indicated superb captures of Yellow�n Tuna right along the South East corridor. Some of these beauties are exceeding the 40kg mark and it is believed there may be a couple of records pending. Light tackle boats also reported a run of good size Spanish Mackeral and Dolphin�sh throughout September, along with the positive news from Cape Bowling Green, we may just have a good season on the way.

October should see numbers of reef �sh continue to improve with the presence of Grassy Emperor and Spangled Emperor being felt around the shallower reef systems. King Fish and Amberjack are continuing to improve in both numbers and size with the deeper wrecks and reef systems holding the better AJ’s.

An inquisitive Bill�sh becomes entangled in a submersible inspecting an oil platform o� the coast of Brazil. It was subdued by the machines mechanical arm, not Billy’s lucky day!!

INSHORE AND ESTUARYREPORT�is years’ Flathead Classic is underway as this Emag is being �nalised so we look forward to passing on the news in our next edition. Early signs from the �rst two days indicate excellent number, with some beautiful quality females being captured and released. Flathead are �shing well through all our SEQ estuary systems with the larger �sh coming from Pumicestone Passage and the greater Jumpinpin area.

Customers are reporting School Mackeral throughout the deeper areas in Moreton Bay

so try trolling a deep diving lure or spinning the shipping channel markers up the inside of Moreton Island. Cobia are now on the move and whilst no monsters have been captured as yet, good table size �sh are being caught on plastics, jigs and even �ies. �eir numbers and size should only continue to improve throughout the month of October. With our local bay snapper �shery a little quiet over the past few weeks Sport�sho’s have covered the miles and come across some excellent Longtail Tuna.

Both Moreton Bay and Hervey Bay have recorded captures of Longtails exceeding the 125cm mark throughout September, possibly a great sign for what’s to come.

NORTHERN SECTORS PRODUCING SURPRISING RESULTS - BY JACK REID

As we see the e�ects of a change in weather patterns and seasons the �shing has been following along nicely with some excellent �sh being caught in the northern areas, in particular Hinchinbrook and its surrounds. Steady and improving numbers of Barramundi are turning up with a few better sized �sh into the triple digits caught on deep �shed soft plastics and trolling.

Unusual or Just Good Timing?

�is could be said for some of the �sh being caught up there recently, with some trophy �sh being landed in areas where you would usually be left thinking. Fishing is one of those things where you can never really get it right, and there will be times when the �sh just prove you wrong. You expect them to be

there and they aren’t, the timing is wrong but they bite better than before. I think that is why it is just so addictive. Species turning up in spots that you have never seen them before, it all happens. A few exotic �sh, for example on a recent trip I was �shing in a creek system where you would normally be tangling with smaller Fingermark and the occasional Barra and being very surprised to see 110cm of healthy Cobia laying on the brag mat. It makes me wonder what was he doing there and why? Lost maybe? Unlucky for him that day regardless. �e Tripletail is one species that is sporadic in its catches to say the very least, you’ve got more chance of seeing snow in Weipa than you do of catching them on a regular basis. Although catching a couple on consecutive trips can make you think you are really doing something right, especially when they were the size of the one pictured overleaf. Some �sh just turn up in unusual spots, but we aren’t complaining! Well I guess they all have �ns and can swim wherever they like!

4LB COMPETITION WRAP UP

�e annual 4lb competition was on again in late August at the Hinchinbrook channel and was graced with some top weather. A �eld of 73 anglers had a ball catching some nice �sh and making sure the beer served at the pub was still ok. Held over two days �shing at Cardwell, the northern end of the system gave the anglers plenty of options. A few titles worth a mention were; largest Barra - 90cm taken by Andrew Gleeson, best catch- 110cm Cobia taken by Miles Tam, best individual angler – Michael Raisbeck and the top three teams were 1.Wally Wilton 2.Lindsay

Pemberton/Andrew Gleeson 3.Karim de Ridder/Jake Mitchell/Craig Gri�ths. It was a top weekend with a broad range of species landed from all teams.

Until next time,

Jack Reid

FINAL NOTEWell folks that’s JTSM for another month. Hopefully I have managed to share a little history and insight into the manufacturing of graphite rods. So let’s give China a break, do your research and invest in a quality hand rolled graphite rod, maintain it well and it will in turn look after you for many years to come. As always, for any questions or topics you would like to hear discussed don’t hesitate to drop into the store or email us at jtsm@jonestackle.com.au. Happy �shing and enjoy the outdoors in October.

Editor of JTSM

TACKLEJONES’S

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