gannet

Sorry, double post.

I have both the original and the imitation here. On examination I discover that the original appears to be die cast in brass(non magnetic) and has a raised circular recessed eye on both sides. The eyes are painted black as is a stripe along the back and both gills are painted red..The surface has a smooth scaley finish with the words ABU and svangsta embossed on the left side only. A beautifully finished lure with a smooth rounded outside profile. I think they were made in Sweden. The new lure is stamped from steel sheet (magnetic and ferrous hence the rust)and has a rough,square outside profile.I understand they are made in China. The eyes are adhesive with a black pupil. The pattern consists of a series of centre punch marks from head to tail. The word ABU is embossed on one side only. The imitation has a dull nickel finish as opposed to the polished nickel finish on the original. Sorry I can't put pics up here. I have some of the old Abu200gm Prisma pirks (chrome plated brass finish) stamped Abu Sweden, really well made lures.

Thanks for posting Hellbelly, lovely weather you are having there. Glad to see Snatcher and the family having a wonderful holiday in your great country.

Thank's gentlemen for your help. I think I have found an alternative Mustad s/s hook the 34011 (available in larger sizes in USA.) Thank 's Newt, I have emailed Mako Tackle twice unfortunately without reply. Thank's also to Chris Goddard, if you do find them Chris, in 3/0 or 4/0 I shall take them.

Looking for Mustad long shank stainless steel hooks 92608 in sizes 3/0 or 4/0. (Mustad have ceased production of this pattern.)

Delighted to see that you are having a ball in Australia. Haji has been telling me of your exploits down under. Hope the fishing improves in Port Douglas. Weather here and on the MOG has been really bad since you left. Enjoy your holiday and looking forward to your next report.

Most dealers have them at half price ( £49.99), so they look a bargain. Still far too dear, we are certainly being ripped off. Just wait until Pure Fishing monopolise the lot and prices take another hike. Unfortunately it is very difficult to judge quality due to the beautiful finish on these Chinese products. If you do have a problem however small,return the product and the retailer should replace it .This is how Penn operate due to the very high mark up on their goods.

Sorry to say but the Penn 850 is not a reel which I would recommend. It has design issues which is not surprising considering that Penn have them made in China for £8 (yes eight pounds sterling!)and sell them on with a £99.99 RRP. Little wonder they have transferred most of their manufacturing to China.

It was great meeting you again last week on the MOG.My wife and I had a great time with you and your family in your lovely retirement home. I would have liked to have done a bit of fishing with you but the weather put paid to that. Have a great time in OZ and like many others I look forward to your reports from "Down Under."

Great report John and lovely pics. you are fast becoming a bass expert. Leave one for me next week as I have yet to catch a MOG bass. Roll on next week when I hope to meet up with Freddie and yourself.

Thank's for the link John, great report/s there. The lads had some lovely fish considering the bad weather.

Hi John,have booked ferry for Mon 08 Sept. Bringing car over, contact you later

Hi John, well done with the bass this year. Hope to be over from 7-11Sept with the good lady. Perhaps we can get together for a spot of fishing etc BTW look at my post (28-08-08) re MOG report and put some pics up if you can. Hope you are still there when I arrive.

HI Snatcher, I had a fishing party across at the week end to fish Port Logan and Portpatrick. Some nice cod, haddock, gurnard and bull huss before the gale forced us into Portpatrick for the night. Had dinner in the Clash with Freddie, reminiscent over old times and had a drink or three to our absent friend Snatcher who was to arrive on Sunday. Noticed quite an influx of anglers from all over the country and was hoping that you would post a report on the weekends fishing. We left for Ireland on Sunday morning, fished the mull for a few hours and had a rather uncomfortable passage home. It was great to be back in God's Own Country again. Shall be back with the good lady for a holiday soon. Hope to meet up have a drink with you again.

Phone Mick Simmons (Penn Servicing) 01386552949 who should be able to supply the part you require.

Good luck with your venture in this time of high fuel costs etc.

Are the boat's Coded and the skippers licensed?

Apologies glennk i seem to have lost my sense of humour. northsea check out "cooking pollack" on Similar Topics. They hot smoke well on the Abu type stainless steel smokers in about 15minutes.(fillets with skin on.)

What an inane comment to make. Nothing wrong with pollack, it's obvious glennk that you have never had it cooked properly.

Great Report John. Was over in the boat last Saturday,fished Luce Bay for a while until conditions became uncomfortable. Had a few cases of Mal de Mer on board and headed back with some nice fillets of cod and haddock. There appears to be quite a lot of codling and haddock showing on the grounds all the way up to Port Patrick. Glad to see that you are now the MOG resident reporter. Interested to hear reports of any "Jumbo" Haddock being caught around there. You should be catching some good pollack from the shore now. Any seatrout or bass yet? (PM me if you wish.) Gool Luck in your new residence, hope to see you soon.

Don't know about the shore fishing. However the boat fishing is quite good at present. Lots of codling,haddock and whiting in Port Logan bay last Sat. Some very nice cod haddock and ling just south of Port Patrick a couple of weeks ago. Mackerel present in good numbers although a lot of "Joey's"showing. Some resonable shoals of good herring on shrimp rigs when targeting launce. Very good pollack close inshore when weather permits. Tope in Luce Bay at present,PM "Snatcher" for tope and shore marks if required. Good Luck.

Hi John, now that you have virtually taken up residence in Drummore I look forward to some great catch reports from you ( with or without pictures.) I shall definitely be over this summer.

Good report Snatcher, nice to see you are catching some fish. Any plans for a "Lad's Week" on the Mull this year considering that you have a very special engagement in Australia later in the year?

Hi Norrie, Still alive and kicking, hope you are keeping well. Mabye meet up with you this summer on the MOG at Snatcher's Hilton Many thank's for your very comphrensive description of the problems associated with the Mariner 50hp four strokes. Well, I suppose that with a new product problems such as this take some time to manifest themselves. Lucky that this problem failed safe by cutting the revs and did not cause overheating. Glad it's not too serious or expensive to repair. The RNLI only keep their outboards about three years so they would not have experienced this problem. I still use the Mariner 20 hp two stroke on my Orkney Strikeliner. Was considering a four stroke but decided to stay with the old reliable Devil I know Good luck with your repairs and have a good summer.

HI sandpipper, any idea what model/ hp/ 2/4 stroke Mariners were giving problems? The old 2 strokes were very reliable and used by the RNLI.