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.
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.
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