December 1, Departure day and . . .

The day is here to leave for Kiptopeke "Sunset Beach Resort" and hopefully just in time for a cow frenzy.

Have to keep my eye on the quarry.  Adam Beaty hefts this 45+#er with ease.  Ah, to be young again!

Had lots of problems getting the boat trailer coupler to drop on the ball.  Took an hour and lots of lube and hammer persuasion.  An hour late, got on the road, well almost two hour later than I agreed to meet Bill.  He got a room key early so we unloaded my gear and didn't get to the office.  Next day, I wanted a key and the clerk couldn't find my reservation.  Previous shift clerk gave Bill the key and the next shift clerk cancelled my reservation?  Guess all is well that ends well.

Small craft warnings were cancelled at 1 PM and we decided to get on with fishing.  Slow going out of the Kiptopeke launch and I was flustered trying to get the sonar running.  Got the GPS tracking going OK.  Finall had to run the echo at 83 KHz to get much of anything related to bottom.  200KHz wasn't doing the job.  At least 4 foot seas, but the weather reported it would lay down.  Nope. It didn't!  

Bill decided to set corks and did.  I didn't dare look aft as the waves were so high above the stern.  The wind continued to increase intensity, as did the seas.  There were a few other boats.  I was having trouble trying to keep clear. The seas continued to increase the white caps were all around.  The boat was rolling at times with the bigger waves.  Some times the  water came all the way up to the top of the gunnel.  Thanks to Mike Smedley's recommending this great sea worthy boat. We didn't take on water.

The sonar was showing bottom as rough as the seas up top.  Huge fish marks, but dur to the pitch of the boat. The marks were jointed.  Moyme slow the ping and scan rate for a future outing.

Finally, Bill and I agreed that it was long past time to head for the dock.  The coast guard cutter got close and I reasoned that we would be boarded.  They like to board num nuts that get on the water when the seas are running high.  Fortunately, I think they got a call and disappeared into the fog.  Could see for a few miles, but nothing to the shoreline.  

OK, lines coming in, Not OK,  eels decided to join forces due to Joy's steering in circles!  As the lines came in, obviously a spider instructed the eels.  Nothing to do but cut lines.  While I was trying to cut my way clear, Bill raised the motor and was busy trying to get lines out of the prop.  Damn, I left the prop in neutral and the spin picks up fish lines in a heart beat.  Bill is GREAT!  Kept the line off the prop.  Lost a lot of tackle, but we were finally about ready to roll.  Well, the trolling motor .  .  .  Isn't simple  even in calm seas.  The head usually spins and drops back in the water.  Can't stand on the deck in these seas.  It's all muscle! Gotta lie on the deck.   WOW, Bill hauled the motor in one heave and it locked in place.  

I got the motor started and after a short, Bill took the helm for the return.  With the boat pitching, rolling and dropping off wave peaks, Bill claimed later that he needed clawed feet.  Slow return for about 3 miles at not more than 5 mph.  Due to the zig zag off waves, we likely covered 5 extra miles 

distance.  I estimate it was a 2 hour return.  Swell at the ships were huge, but the ships did the deed and allowed entry through the narrow passage to the dock.  

Since we couldn't see the shore lone until about a half mile out, the GPS was crucial for a safe return.

Talk with others that fished on Tue, fish were thick near the ship anchored near 36 and further North.  Unlikely any real size, maybe 30 pounds.  The oblective is a "60# cow".

Bill left an hour or so ago to attend the funeral for a long time family friend.  He might be back on Thursday evening or Friday AM.  This evening and Thursday, small craft warning in effect.  Can't hardly wait to write about the future adventure.  As you might guess, it's unusual to have a day off the water to write about the happenings.

Well, time to reheat last night's Chinese Hot and Sour soup.  Think there's also a rib left from the PO PO platter.

Departure Day is nearly here . . .

Hey Guys,

I read reports from Teacher and others telling me that the Cows have come home.  Not a lot of citations recorded at Chris' Bait and Tackle when I go on-line.

Bill Fowler and Mrs helped me get most of my gear in the truck and do some maintenance on the Sea Pro and trailer.  Sometimes the simplest task becomes a day long activity.  Had to get a new grease gun as the plunger squeezed by the grease and locked the grease.  The new one had a coupling that locked on the zerk.  Trying to get it off, pulled the guts out of the buddy bearing.  An hour later, the zerk was remove from the buddy cap and the coupler from the old gun installed.  Finished all the hubs and put the air at 45 pounds.  Only a few more tasks to complete and I'll be ready to get on the road on Monday, Dec. 1.

Saturday, Nov 29 .  .  .  .

Supposed to be Warm today, maybe 66.  I made up a dozen hook leader terminal tackle last night and left two to put a skirt and another flashers.  Using #10 Ohner and #8 Gamakatzu octopus circle hooks with 50# flurocarbon leaders.   Snelled the hooks with 7 or 8 wraps, depending on how my fingers could hold the hook.  Made a standard drop loop opposite the hook end.  I'll use this to attach the terminal gear to the ball bearing swivel off the main line.

The heavy leader is used because the gill plates on COW stripers can cut the leader.  When the striper is running away from the boat and thrashing, a lesser leader would part.

Unfortunately, I can't spell!  Noticed the package was split on one edge and thought a  hood was missing.  I'd dropped a few on the floor under the table.  Found most, but seemed like one was missing.  Melody took a look for me and it was under her chair.  Whew, I'd never heard the end of her getting hooked at the kitchen table.  Or the dogs, for that matter.

Still need batteries for the Trolling Motor.  If I'd had the cores with me yesterday, I would have got the Interstate 29s.  I went to Green Top to get the wifi to install with my sonars.  I wonder if this toy will ever be useful?

Sunday, November 30 .  .  .

Teacher and Adam shared their latest catches.  

But, getting ready to go is a horrible task that is fraught with forgots!

A mess in my Man Cave where sometimes stuff gets organized to move toward the door.

As Santa says, the rods and reels are ready to go along with a few other plastic bins that moved toward the door.

Now, just where does all this stuff fit?  Some still in the Man Cave, some in the doorway, some on the ground .  .  .

I know, uncover the boat, clean 6 months of trash out of it and there be lots of room for light weight stuff.  Like patio chairs, rods, rod holder for the room, 

I think it's about to work out!