The Kiptopeke adventure is over for 2010

Hey Guys,

Glad to get a reply from Benji White about Condo living. Wish it came when I asked BISC members for info several months ago. Unfortunately, I don't know nuttin' and I'm getting requests? The bay water temperature dropped below 45 degrees after December 1 and as far as I'm concerned, ended the COW fishing at Kiptopeke. Those fish caught in the 40+ class were far and few between. Maybe next year there will be some offers to join forces for a condo for 2 months, Nov and Dec so we'll meet the stripers head on. Or, maybe it's time to move to Deleware bay and try something new. Or is that Ruddee Inlet where the COWs might be sitting and waiting.

Could't leave this blog alone without mentioning again the breakfasts at J.H. West Seafood, Inc. Only a couple hundred yards up the street from the Kiptopeke Inn and a convenient breakfast/meeting place. Two eggs, two pancakes, 3 slices of bacon for $3 plus a buck for coffee. The other great evening/lunch is Kelly's Butternut Pub in Cape Charles. It's a place you'll remember long after you've forgotten about the greasy spoon "Sting Rays". Up to Exmore, about 20 miles north of the Kiptopeke Inn, is another great eatery called "The Great Machipongo Clam Shack (6468 Lankford Hwy, Exmore, VA 757 442 3800). Had a great shrimp salad and stuffed flounder!

Joy TB

In retrospect about what needs for lodging to bring along

Found that most of the stuff I took along to Kiptopeke went unused, like the freezer. Likely a hundred other things needed, but . . . looking at lodging, it seems there are other options that have similar costs to the Kiptopeke Inn at $650 plus tax. Tumbleweed, for example paid $700 (one of four) for a huge house for the month. Yogi, I heard got a house in Cape Charles for about $700 for the month. Just getting some thinking going for next year.

If the Kiptopeke becomes a focal point in 2011, make careful consideration of where the room is located. Stay away from the NW (rear) corner rooms that are close to the fish cleaning debris. For some reason fishermen need that sign that says "clean up after yourself, your mommy doesn't live here". Many of the rooms along the North outside are OK as ya can charge yer boat with a thin long extension cord that can pass under the door. Boat washing is at the fish cleaning station. Any of the rooms facing the swimming pool are OK, but I think those toward the south end of the pool would be more desirable. Some on the SW outside might be OK if maintained. KI has 24/7 TV monitoring of the lots. While the KI is pet friendly, it didn't work well for me and I'll board my dog next time.

OK, for the room if ya get permission. A small refrigerator, a coffee maker, Ramrod kept a small slow cooker going with his version of stew, maybe a small microwave, some bring a small barbee for outside the room. Food Lion, VA liquor, Micky Dees, Sting Rays, and other ilk are within 7 miles North. I favor J. B. Hunt wholesale fish for breakfast (2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 3 slices of bacon) $2.95 plus $1 for coffee if ya like. Of course, there's good eats at Kelley's Gingernut Pub in Cape Charles. Further up 13, about 20 miles, there's a clam shack and a fish house noted for great food (unlike Sting Rays greasy spoon).

A few things hardly worked, like the TV and internet access. Mobile wireless seems best if it serves the area. VirginMiFi worked well for me and also covers my home town. I'll be terminating my satellite service. Next year, there should be broadband wireless in Scottsburg too. News and other movies are best by VCR or online in my estimation.

While I stayed 12 of the 31 days, I figure I break even. May get a few more days before the end of the month if the weather and the fish cooperate.

Waiting for Gale/Blizzard to pass . . .

I met Bill Fowler displaying his expertise with crappie at Ivy Hill right after he was recovering from his cancer. Later, he got his prosthesis and can speak, but I don't hear all that well. He puts up with my lack of hearing his instructions. Both he and his Mrs (Lidia) are great people to know. He got me into redfinning and it stuck. Never boated one yet, but the strikes and events were spectacular. He's got dozens of personal hurdles to corral crappie.

Both he and Lidia can join me anytime as I hope to fish from Bill's float too.


Steve Smith welcomed Kiptopeke last year with a 58 1/4 pound striper. I was pissed as it was my COW. Yet, couldn't have happened to a nicer guy and he's welcome to join me on my boat any time. He made it possible for me to fish Weldon for the first time. Learned about bumper boats and to be sure to have a ruler on board.



With no means to get on the bay until at least Thursday, I opted to return to the homestead for a few days. Left this morning about 11 AM and arrived at Scottsburg at 3:30 PM. Got stuff needed in the house tonight. Other unneeded stuff will be unloaded and some clothes washing will get done. No need for the freezer at all. Rather, a small refrigerator would have been nice, including a coffee maker. Even a small microwave would have been a better choice. I took so many unnecessary things and had to buy extension cords . . .

Oh, the COW situation? Well, some say they aren't in the bay yet. Mike Smedley caught some small schoolie types that had sea lice.

Ramrod and I were the only ones left at the motel. Ramrod called me and told me he was packing to leave. About the time I was leaving and about to let him know I would be gone for a few days. Later, I learned that Ramrod spend near 5 hours waiting in the bridge parking lot due to gale force winds on the bridge. I thought I was having it tough on the snowy roads.

Asked the management to fix my door lock, install a toilet paper roll holder, fix the TV, and fix the bathroom vent. Each time I took a crap, everyone left the room for a while.

Well, time to survey those that fished and find out if there's any news.

Kiptopeke seems a BUST for COWs this year . . .

The SeaPro in it's cocoon to ward off snow, ice, etc.

Got on the water two consecutive days with Ramrod and each day, had one break off. Another day with 4-5 foot seas in my estimation, again with Ramrod and got beat up pretty bad. Lots of tangled lines and . . . :(

Hawely (my son) and Bill Fowler arrived and we fished Friday on my boat without a bite. Water temp was 44.1 on my meter. Hawley left very early Sat morning and Steve Smith joined us about 7:30 AM. Launched and dinked around until about 2 PM when a squal moved in and it got uncomfortable. Steve headed home. Bill stayed with to help load the freezer, but had it in the truck by the time I got off the pot. Water temp continued to drop and spent many days at 37 degrees at Kiptopeke. The bridge at 42 degrees and Cape Charles at 47 or so.

Lanny Parrott checking on the club at Kiptopeke Inn and met Xacho et all.


Now getting most of my stuff packed and ready to haul to the truck. The boat is charging while I sit.

I may come back next week and/or I may not. May go to visit Hawley for a few days.



More later as I think about this misadventure.

Just ruminating at the Kiptopeke Inn

Water is fine, but no one to go out with. Stopped at Chris' and talked with Mike Smedley (Team Old School), had clients and about to hit the bay. Said he'd call me, but so far he hasn't. Picked up 2 dozen eels that now reside in the bath tub. Not per say, but in the 3 bucket system. Ice dripping on the eels to keep them cold and wet. Looks like one croaked already. Time will tell as I'll need ice in the mornng . . . Ramrod kept his eels alive for a week in the 3 bucket system before he opted to try his bait tank. Quite different this year due to the cold tempeatures. In usual years, the bait tanks had to be in the shade and likely needed both frequent water change and frozen bottles of ice to keep the eels happy. Yet, for weekend ventures, the 3 bucket system works great. On the water, I gave the eels a chance to swim around and get a bit hardened. Back in the bucket with ice dripping on them, the became lethargic and pretty simple to handle. By the way, don't drill holes in the eel bucket larger than 3/8 ths. Small eels can squeeze through 1/2 inch holes. Also, I kept my eels on the boat in '09 with a bait spa on the bottom and didn't lose any eels. Just need frequent water change and rinse of the filter. The filter is only necessary to allow the aeration gadget to function properly. Some just use an airstone. One of them 5 gallon insulated drink coolers works great. I never got an inside bucket arranged. Maybe next year, maybe not as I like the 3 bucket system. Yet, in hot weather . . . Think I saw Yogi uses the 5 gal insulated water cooler on his boat.

Think we found that stopping at Ocean's East #2 and buying a couple dozen eels at less than $20 a dozen was a wise choice. Chris' charges $25 a dozen and that's ok considering the bridge tolls. Some bring in a hundred eels per batch and maintain them in a bait tank. A lot of work and I think I'd rather spend my liesure time otherwise.

Talked to Ramrod and agreed to go out with him in the morning (7 AM) oh my god, that's early and cold. I'll call him in a few mintues about dinner. My son Hawley will be here tomorrow about 10 PM. Steve Smith decided not to join me. Bill Fowler will be here sometime tomorrow afternoon, maybe. Will be a room full as I have full size rather than queen beds as earlier thought. No matter, we'll make due as there's no room at the Inn. Whoops, Steve Smith changed his mind and will arrive at 7 AM tomorrow morning. Great to have guys on the boat that are familiar with my tackle and take charge so I can keep the boat on course.

Lots of miniscule stuff to report, but I'll add it as time and incentive permits. This blog is a work in progress.

What about some launch and other fees?

OK, the CBBT will cost ya $20 one way for the car/boat. Car is $12 one way. If ya return within 12 hours, ya get $7 off, but not for the boat. That was easy, I think, if I got it right.

The Kiptopeke launch is a Virgina State park and covered by a daily launch fee. $8 weekend and $7 weekdays for VA residents. NC residents purchasing a VA license qualify for the VA resident rate. The special $11 for a week day and $12 for a weekend is for MD residents. Will Carpenter reports that an annual launch pass for Kiptopeke at the park office is $97 for under 65 and $79 for seniors. Get it in December and ya get two Decembers. Good deal is ya ask me. Lanny Parrott provided additional information, so hopefully all is now correct.

However, I have a handicap placard that allows parking free at any state park. Unfortunately, it doesn't include launching. OK, for $44, ya can get an annual launch pass that applies to ALL state parks in VA. Included Kiptopeke and Kerr.

For those using the Corp of Engineers facilities on Kerr, a $10 lifetime national parks pass will qualify ya for 1/2 price launches. Still better, if ya go to the Dam or Longwood offices, ya can get an annual pass for $15.

So, for $60 a year I get all my fishing launch fees taken care of. Well almost! Cape Charles and the Fisherman's Island launch are not state and may cost near $15. Check it out before ya leave yer trailer on the lot.

Hope this helps.

At the Kiptopeke Inn and it's a zoo . . .

So, I arrived at Kiptopeke Inn on Dec. 1 about 7 PM and checked in. Knew where the room was. Went through several issues with the card that didn't work. Finally, after a few days, I can leave the room with confidence that I can get back in.

The Kiptopeke Inn showing my MiFi center. A mess, but it works!

Room has two queen beds. A good thing as I'm not all that neat. Unless there's company planned, the spare bed is a place for bulky clothes, etc.

Another corner filled with fishing junk. The wheels on the rod holder are working just great for moving them around. Xacho is standing guard. She got a little lonely and decided to jump on the bed and sleep next to me. Easier to just let her do her thing than argue. That's a woman?

Met up with Ramrod and we bought a couple of dozen eels. The price for 100 evaporated and the Chris' cost is $25 per dozen plus tax. Across the bridge, we might get them by the hundred for about $1.50 each. Lots of trouble. Ramrod never set his bait tank up, nor did I. Ramrod had two buckets, one with some holes in the bottom, one solid, and I provided another with holes. The idea was to put ice in the top bucket, let the cold water drip on the eels, and the solid bucket catch the flow through. After two trips on the bay and 3 days at the motel, they seem to be doing OK. Haven't checked with Ramrod today about their status. He took the bottom bucket off and put the thing in his tub to keep the eels from freezing.

First day, the weather sort of cooperated and we went to 18 in Ramrod's boat. Early on, the waves were about 3 feet and a wise choice to use his boat. We got one hook up that ended in a break off with me holding the rod. :( Ran into a line of crab pots and wasted a huge amount of time trying to clear them rather than going back and starting the drift again. Had lots of time to think about the break off. Ramrod changed all his line to braid, don't know what the drag was set for. Pondered for the rest of the afternoon about that breakoff. Unfortunately, I wasn't dressed for the cold and got chilled. Was glad when Ramrod suggested we head for the dock. This, despite the water was almost like glass.

Next day on the water, we dinked around due to high wind and seas, but had decided to take my boat if the water calmed. Everything ready except rods on my boat . Talked to some that tried to get beyond the concrete ships and came back in. About 1 PM, Yogi informed us that we could get on the water, but would be better in Ramrod's boat. Ha, ha, change course and took his boat again. Headed to 18 again and did several drifts. One hookup on a planer, ran drag for a minute, me just holding bend in the rod - poof, break off again. Now, the thought was getting serious. Hooks, drag, line, what was going on? Ya can expect maybe one in 10, but not two consecutive break offs.

Sent a note to Mike Smedley to see what he had in mind and he recommended dumping the braid, no stretch. Or, take the drag down to about 2 pounds. So, by the time I got back to Ramrod, he'd already reduced the drag on his rods. I had mine set at 5 pounds, but adjusted them to 3 pounds, I think. I reasoned that a 1 point soda bottle weighs 1 pound, 3 would give me the drag I wanted to set. Unfortunately, the drag is set with a full spool. Actual fishing, there's about 100 feet off the spool, or more. The reduced diameter of the spool increases the drag! The longer the fish pulls line, the heavier the drag gets. Eventually, it can pull the hook - break off! OTOH, a COW can pull a hundred yards of like of and ya can hear the line sizzling through the guides. Guess that's the fun with big fish.

Since my objective is to catch a COW, I may release any smaller fish and go home empty. Well, that's the plan for now.


Supposed to go to dinner at Tumbleweed's mansion on Sat. night, but got lost and couldn't find him. Shown at the right in his chef outfit. I didn't realize there were two entries to Kiptopeke State Park. The idea was to turn right into the park, left at Arlington, and right into the mansion driveway. It's OK if ya choose the second entry to the park. Ha, ha, got an invite for the next night for deep fried striper/fries/coleslaw. With Ramrod driving, it was a sure thing to reach the destination.

No fishing on Sunday due to the big blow - small craft warnings - gale.


Here we see Larry Robertson, Yogi, and Ramrod dressed for dinner?

Monday through Wednesday, the sea will be like 7 feet, too much for all but the hardiest numb nut to be on the water. But, so far, Thursday looks to be 1-2 foot waves continuing to Saturday. Will be COLD, but fishable.