The plan is in the making for 2015

Got a call into Raymond and the event is still percolating at his end.  He is trying to get here on the 13 of December.  His boys are still considering arrival about Dec 19, but that only leaves a couple of days to challenge the weather waves.

I'll call the Shore Stay Suites today and try for a reservation for the period December 13 arrival and December 22 departure.  I think that's ten nights if my brain is working OK.  It's an efficiency with two full size beds and a kitchenette.  Rates say $89 a night, but I think I got a quote for much less?

Captain's Quarter 540 721 1175  Dewayne Lamb  No room at his new cottage, ut he might have an opening on his crew after the 14th of Decemer  


Teacher  919 274 1410  Sent a note to Jimmie Beaty to ask about charter availability after Dec 14 and also about a possible meet in late November.

Tom Hughes sent a note that he has refunded a deposit of $200 that I made years ago.  He got tired of waiting for Bill and I to get with him.

Shore Stay Suites  757 331 4090  Made reservation without confirmation of rate. 
can't find the note.  Murphy is still with me today.  Spilled a drink on my favorite wave keyboard and it's toast.  Now using an old flat keyboard and it's tough to adjust.

I made some changes on the boat in case I have to fish alone.  First, I put a rope to pull the trolling motor.  But, the release lever is still a problem to unlock with one foot while lifting the trolling motor head when the water might be rough.  I added a tall leaning post in lieu of the seat and it works well as a balance grasp while standing on the bow deck.  I'm thinking to run a line from the T to the bow as a safety grab.  Side curtains would be great, but this is my last outing on the bay.  No sense with adding stuff that won't be used again.  But, wouldn't a 12 inch monitor be great!

Time to start a plan for kiptopeke lodging . .

Time for a plan as so many things are changing with regard to Kiptopeke Cows.

This year, have to watch where the fish seem to be.  Last year, they seemed to be above buoy 38A and nearer 40A most of the time.  A long run from the Kiptopeke Ships.  A few miles shorter from Cape Charles if ya cut the sand bar.  Then, there's a few other launches that could be treacherous if the weather becomes windy. 

With the passing of Kiptopeke Inn and the abusive management at Shore Stay, I moved to the Sunset Beach.  844 666 2583.  The facility has a cleaning station nearby and ample parking and a buffet breakfast served after 7 AM.  😥

 Bill Fowler mentioned a few times that he might take his travel trailer as there's a huge facility associated with the motel.  32246 LangFord Hwy, Cape Charles. 

There's also the Peacock that was renovated a couple of years ago.  757 332 1127,  26369 LangFord Hwy, Cape Charles. 

Yet, there's Exmore and Easton  to consider if the fish are near buoy 41A.  Maybe the Morely's wharf Creek area might be worth the dangerous/tortuous outlet.  My boat can only handle winds less than 11 mph.  

Need feedback from Dewayne Lamb, Teacher, Yogi, and other Kiptopeke officianados doing the tournaments.  A distant network not always willing to share.

Got my gear boxed and ready to go.  Do want to repair my sport mask and have it available.  That cold wind forces never a look see where someone else's boat is going.  Honker down in my parka.

Certainly more planning needs to be done.

Too early to plan for Kiptopeke 2015?

OK, just what is the plan for 2015 .  .  .

Well, it depends on how long it takes to get with a plan.  For me, I'm pretty slow and it takes months.  Still in the packing/sorting the gear for 2014, let alone get ready for the coming December.

Got my winter duds stowed as I'll need them if I get on LKA or Kerr before spring.  Also got rods stowed in the furnace room.  Additional eel tubes constructed for a total of 13, maybe a lucky number.

Thought about restoring 4 older planer boards, but now think it best to buy 4 new Walleye boards so they'll fit my storage on the boat.

Think this year will be different with regard to lodging and the length of stay at Kiptopeke.

Now September and the season is passing quickly.  Doctor, doctor, when can I fish?  Gout and arthritis are the controlling health issues. 

Brother Raymond says he will be available with his son over the college vacation around Xmas.  Not sure about Bill Fowler.  Think he may have had enough interference with his hunting turkey and deer.  A friend here on LKA, Pete DeRosario might have a day or two.  As might my son, Hawley.  I might try to reserve a room for two weeks at the Sunset Shore Motel where I usually stay and see where it leads.

I've tried to contact some of the skippers that I'm sure will be fishing for Kiptopeke Cows to find out if I can hitch a ride.  No success yet. 

Can't plan to do it solo, that's for sure.

YES, Kiptopeke Fishing for Cow stripers is fun, I think . . .

Thought I'd just post photos taken on my boat by Raymond.

Oh, the pain of hefting a striper.

Joy and Bill in a standby position.

Raymond has limited rods in the water while Bill has 6 on the opposite side of the boat.  Hmmm, why did Raymond catch all the fish?

Joy just had to do it!  The oysters were great, the steaks sucked.

Can't get enough photos of Raymond's catch.

Yep, Raymond with another prize.

Joy and Bill waiting for something .  .  .

                                                  Maybe the 2 fingers between the sun and the horizon?

Not sure this is the best part of fishing?  Had to wash my rain jacket after the event.

Oh my gosh, what's this?

A change in terminal tackle and approach for Kiptopeke Cows 2015

Bill Fowler, my fishing buddy and Dewayne Lamb (owner of Captain's Quarters, Smith Mountain Lake) both recommended smaller hooks and lighter leader.  I reasoned that the gill plates cut fish off frequently and decided to use lighter fluorocarbon leader, but add some protection to the knot.  At least until the line gets passed the striper gill plates.

I added a sort piece of small diameter eel tubing to cover the eye of the hook and protect the snell.  Notice also the short piece of eel tube between the ball bearing swivel and the plastic bead.  Both the bead and the eel tube are intended to protect the knot from being damaged by abrasion damage from my eel tubes.  I had some lines part at the swivel due to abrasion this year.  Maybe lost one fish do to this problem.  Mono and fluoro seem to be more forgiving than braid.  The sinker, when used will be between 1/2 and 3/4 ounce.  Most useful to help the eel stay at the target depth when pulling at 2+ mph.

While I snell a hook the old fashioned "my way", the shown tool is supposed to make it easy.  I find it just as difficult as "my way".  However, the tool allows joining of two lines (always difficult for me as related to braid/mono), trailing hooks and nail knots.

Haven't given up on my Hi-Viz mono and braid.  Braid is much smaller diameter and produces less drag to allow the eel to get down to the target depth.  Whereas, the mono with varued camo might not frighten the fish?

The day spent on the water with Dewayne Lamb was very informative in what he revealed and what he didn't.  For example, I noticed while at the motel, that Dewayne and crew were busy placing a \
holographic strip to the planers.  The near identical reflective strip is on my Buggz lake planers.  Hmmm, might result in Dewayne's successes (boated 19 over the period my boat landed 1) have more to do with the planer flash to attract the stripers to see the eel than finesse the terminal gear?  So, I also pulled my long stowed and salt seasoned Outcast planers and will update these with halographic tape.  Already replaced the tail swivels.

Dewayne wanted a yellow or lighter colored eel.  He tried to dye an eel, but it washed off as soon as it hit the water.  Several years ago, Bill Fowler and I planned to jig at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel 4th island and the pilings.  Only happened once, but we still have many BKD (Bass Kandy Delights).  As shown, this one is yellow and near 10 inches.  The green/red jig head is powder coated and the huge eyes might make it life like to a striper when towed at trolling speed.

Got all the reels washed by mother nature as it rained steadily before I left Kiptopeke and for the entire trip home.  Also, stayed in the rain over night before I could get the gear off the boat.  Sprayed the reels with Real Magic to prepare them for the long summer nights sleep.

Keep thinking that there must be a launch closer to 40A as it's 17 miles up the bay from Kiptopeke launch.  Cape Charles is closer if I choose to cross the 1 foot sand bar and go north out of the harbor area. Otherwise, it's down the bay out of the harbor channel to a place where it might be safe to cross over the shoal.  Looked at Cherry Stone launch, but it also requires crossing a shoal with 1 foot depth. Look for the Miss Jenifer Charter moored next to the ramp.   Think the launch is associated with the Cherry Stone Camp Ground and an oyster company/hatchery at the location.

Then, there's Morley's Wharf   launch West of Exmore.  About 30 miles up the peninsula from Kiptopeke and only a 5 mile run out into the bay.

But, the day we looked, the tide was HIGH and the parking lot lines were a foot under water.  Not sure about the channel to the bay.  This facility is on the South side of Occohannock Creek.  Take route 183 West from US 13 at Exmore and turn right on Morley's Wharf Road.

Also, I would be concerned about security at this launch site.

Much of my fishing activity is near or above the 641 - US 13 intersection that runs to Cape Charles.  Alcohol free fuel is at a Shell station a few miles North of this intersection.  Select the mid grade as it's alcohol free.  Much less expensive than alcohol free sold at the Cape Charles Marina and much less of a hassle.

                                        Tight Lines,   Joy T Brew

What learned this season?

Well, it's "fishing" and that doesn't always mean "catching".  So, I come away with new found knowledge.

First, the experts say my hooks are too large and tire the eels long before they croak.  So, need to reduce the size of the hook from #10/0 to 7 or 8/0.  Some how choose a hook that won't straighten with a 50+ pound COW, but light enough to let the eel swim?  Yet, I was alerted that repeated use of the same circle hook would dull the point from just hooking eels. Yep, on tear down of the terminal gear, some of the hooks were not the laser sharp as should be.

Learned how to use 1/2 to 3/4 egg sinker weights on all lines.  This helps the eel swim down to the target depth holding fish, while allowing the drift speed to approach 2 plus MPH.  If there has to be a sinker, it will be powder coated!  This is a very different approach from used in the past where drift speed was deternined by the tide.  Just keep the wind at yer back, say some.

Obviously, I need 4 each planers for each side of the boat.  Two aren't enough when corks are limited to maybe 2.  Well, I'll have them available if needed, but quite possibly a crew of 2 can't handle so many lines.  One experience with a smart fish that tangled 4 lines makes a believer of fewer is more time fishing.

This photo shows my brother, Raymond holding a striper in the net and Bill Fowler trying to untangle fishing line.  Eventually, the knife came out and cut the tangles, while trying to retrieve the terminal gear still in the water.  Lost time when the bite may be on!

The type of line is still a question that only the owner of the gear can choose.  I'll continue to use hi-viz mono and hi-viz braid.  Braid gives the spool capacity for a long run with a big fish.  Some of my reels are now spooled with braid backing and mono top shot.  Others are mono backing with braid top shot.  Not sure about the leader as the gill plates are so sharp and shred lighter fluorocarbon leader material.  Think I'll stick to at least 40#.  The high viz braid (orange) appears as a heavy rope in the photo.  Does a striper see it like this?

For now, I'm informed that I must move my boat with the tide.  My previous thought was that the current always overwhelmed the tide, but I stand corrected.  Always fish with the tide.  Wind may force reconsideration.  If a wind out of the South with outgoing tide, the boat may actually be pointed against the tide.  The boards deploy OK, but the boat moves backwards with the outgoing tide.  Not a good situation as the trolling motor can't keep up.  Use the big motor in my case with some kind trolling plate to slow the boat.  The trolling motor would take max speed and use the battery in a short time.  Those experienced say this is a no-no.

If the wind is out of the North and the tide is outgoing, let the drift haul the boat and use the trolling motor to steer the direction.  Try to get a sweet spot where little is needed in trolling motor speed to achieve 2-3 mph.

Incoming tide and South wind out of the South, this is great and will use a bit more trolling motor power, but again, the speed must be at least 2 mph.

Incoming tide with North wind out of the North, means the big motor or a kicker motor to get up to 2 mph.

I've tried quartering the tide/wind situation to make a drift work.

Don't even bother deploying baits if there aren't baits in the water!  When the bait leave the bay, the stripers are gone!  The stripers move with the heavy concentrations of bait.  Might do a collision encounter when an ocean striper enters the bay and searches for bait.  But boating stripers is the name of the game and ya gotta fish where the odds are in my favor.

Another bit of knowledge is a carry over from previous techniques as it relates to the size of eels.  Sort of correlates with the water temperature.  Less than 45 degrees might be required for the smallest eel available.  Temperatures near 50 may be desirable to use bigger eels.  Has to do with the digestion period for the striper.  Think they choose the size that can be digested in about 6 hours.  The same eel may take 12 hours to digest at 42 degrees.

Third, I need a bigger boat to get more time on the water!  At least 25 foot with high gunnel!  Maybe a cuddy cabin like the Parker 25.

OK, for those that are still finishing the 2014 season, good luck.  For those that are  home for the holidays, Merrry Xmas and Happy New Year.  Look for my writings prior to the next 2015 Kiptopeke Cows.

                                                  Joy T B

Weather forces abandonment of the COW chase

Been a few days without posting on the blog and I need to do some catch up.



My son Hawley came to fish on the 20th and Dewayne Lamb volunterred to take our crew in his boat.  Bill, my fishing buddy and I needed a refresher in technique and tactics.  The boat for this excursion was a 25 footer powered with a 250 hp and cruised at near 50, seas permitting.  Went to buoy 40A as the stripers and bait were still in the area.  Bill took the first hit and got the monster to the boat - whoops, line broke and the fish was gone.  While battling Bill's fish, another hit and and my son Hawley took the rod.  Whoops again, the Captain had slowed the boat and lots of slack in the line.  Needed and experienced hand on the rod to even  have a chance of another hook up.  By the time line was OK for a hook set, the fish was gone.  Bill had 4 bites and didn't boat any of them.  Captain put him in the time out corner for the minutes of his age.  He could help deploy lines, but couldn't reel a fish.  Finally, another hit and Hawley had the line and boated a 30+ pounder.

That was it for the day.  Lots of COWs being caught, but not for us to hear the scream of the drag this day.

Went to dinner and it was too late (Sunday) for much to be open.  Ended up at Yak-Yak for pizza, jalapeno potato skins, and buffalo shrimp washed down with some Coors light.  Nostalgia told me to get a Bloody Mary to remember fishing with my daughter, Deborah, years earlier.

Such enthusiasm!

Per usual, Yak Yak didn't have celery for the Bloody Mary or the Buffalo Shrimp, but did have the blue cheese?

 Yep, how Joy feels about the 2014 Kipotopeke fishing season.