This season is a bit different because Xacho, a Goldendoodle (10 months)will join me. Ha, ha, only gold is her nose from either her mom or dad (both blond). At one time, she was total black. Now turning gold and silver? Not sure the meaning of the sadness in her eyes? Fortunately, the Kiptopeke Inn is pet friendly.
A substantial net is necessary. This Frabill Power measures 36 inches from the top of the loop to the yoke and 30 inches across. The 4 foot telescope handle is not for lifting the fish. It's only for reaching the fish in the water. Once in the net, the net/fish is lifted by grasping the netting. A 60 pound COW may take two fishermen to lift the fish onboard.
One might imagine that toteting lots of rods from the boat to the motel room and back is a bit much for a fossil my age. So, I modified a rod holder and put a set of wheels on one end. Grab the rods on the same end as the wheels, tip the cart and push it to where ya want it. Don't know about stairs yet.
Now making a list and checking it twice, at least. New additions this year are a 7 cubic foot freezer, the Creek Bank 30 gallon bait tank, and the Honda EU2000 generator. I checked the ampere load of the boat onboard chargers and together they draw a max of 9 amperes. The Honda can supply 13 and will run 8 hours on one gallon of gasoline. The Mister Heater with squat propane tanks is also new on the boat this year. The Kiptopeke Inn may not be power friendly. Previous stops, they have a terribly smelly fish cleaning station along with a hose that can be used with a bucket. Maybe take my own hose to was down the boat?
Tried to rain today and slowed the boat/gear prep. Got some clothing gathered, but now need storage boxes to organize the gear. Only 14 days until departure.
Several BISC club members are interested in joining me for some COW fishing. Unfortunately, no one has committed to a date. Hopefully lots of BISC members join in the fun.
Friday evening and Bill Fowler and I are traveling to Kiptopeke Inn to evaluate the accommodations in the morning. Will be nice to have company along for the long drive. Kind of wish I had a smaller and more fuel efficient vehicle for this kind of trip. The idea is to check how the eel tank might be situated, how boat electric can be connected.
Tied a dozen leader set-ups this evening. Ball bearing swivel, about 30 inches of 40# flourocarbon leader and various size hooks from 5/0 to 10/0. Will make it easy to get rods set up at Kiptopeke and on the water. Found that the 100 pound ball bearing swivels are difficult to both tie with the polarmo and keep free of salt/corrosion. The 300 pound swivels are much easier to maintain. I think more attention with a reel lubricant like Real Magic will keep the swivels running free.
