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.

Day of rest . . .

OK,  got my brother off to the airport with about 35 pounds of striper filets.  Had to leave the motel near 3 AM and fortunately the bridge tunnel work didn't delay is.  Worried about fish in his duffle, but security and checking let him board.  Later, he e-mailed that the filets were still frozen in Denver and also when he arrived in Rawlins, WY.

Back at the room, we reasoned that there might be a problem with the braid hi viz line and we changed the order with the braid backing and the mono top shot.  Fortunately, I brought an electric drill and had a 1/4- 20 bolt and nuts available so I could run the line off the spool.  Tried just using a wide spool and that allowed the lines to over lap and made reloading very difficult.  Went to two spools and all worked great.  The drill saved line since it didn't twist either the braid or mono.  Left some hi-viz braid spooled.  Later: Hmm, the bites we had the next day were on the hi-viz braid that had feathers ahead of the hook?  Maybe it was a smaller eel?  Unknown, but both hits came on hi-viz braid.

Then off to find a laundromat.  On Peach street in Cape Charles.  No soap!  Had to go to Food Lion about 5 miles away on U. S.  13.  Also stopped at the Shell station for great chicken. It's also the only station that has alcohol free fuel for my boat.  Back to the boat shop near Food Lion to see about a fix for my defective navigation light.  Found two bulbs and thought that would fix it.  Nope, had to tear it apart again.  Once more to the boat to plug it in.  Oh No, still didn't work.  Bill gave a smack as only he can and it came on!

Thought the sea would lay down, but it was so late that we didn't give a thought about launching.  So, tomorrow it's a go, maybe.  Still 2 -3 foot seas.  Sat and Sun it's less than 2 feet.  

Beginning to look like I won't get my 60 + pound cow this year.  Maybe I'll have to live with the skunk for an entire year.  Bill is ready to call it quits for the year, though he is disappointed that he didn't catch  more.

OK, maybe time to look at what my sonar and GPS were showing.

The above shows the GPS track, the coordinates and water temperature.  The right shows the structure scan to 60 feet each side of the boat at 455 KHZ.  Obviously lots of bait on both sides of the boat with a couple of striper marks.  The red/white buoy near the 2.2 might be 40A.  This screen shot was 12/20/2014.

Having a single Simrad or Lowrance head might make more meaningful screen shots.  Seldom have time to get simultaneous images from two units.

This Chirp echo shows that the water depth was 38.3 feet, the water temp was 45 degrees, the frequency was 200 KHZ.  The water speed was 0.5 MPH, far too slow for the bite.  The bait ball at 30 feet is consistent with the condition.  Bait in the upper 15 feet of the water column, and stripers in the area, some with red might be sizable.  Other fishermen noted that the concentration of stripers were in the water column just below 26 feet.  Note that the fish are not nice arches due to the heavy seas at the boat!

When I have access to my map of the bay, I'll use the coordinates to indicate where we were.  Obviously different places.  This screen shot was 12/5/2014.

Skunk still on the SeaPro, but . .

Well, we were able to get on the water fishing all the wrong places.  Yet, the Pelicans were there to beg one eel, called a friend, and they called friends, and suddenly we were swarmed with them.  Some had signs around there necks saying something like we only work for eels.

Raymond hit at 'en with the net and then the landing pole.  They wouldn't budge.  Think is we sat still they would have boarded and raided the eel bucket.

At other times, Raymond took his usual pose connected to his cell phone.

Raymond waiting to grab a screaming drag rod.  Yet, Raymond refused to abide by the tried and effective COW fishing stragety.  He wanted to hook the eel only through the lower lip?  Also wanted the drag set at near free spool.  Both were of concern to me as the light hook of the eel could result in the eel being torn off the hook.  The stripers suck the eel in and turn.  This pulls the circle hook to the corner of the jaw and the hook bites in - no hook set necessary as the COW sets the hook when pulling against the reel set at strike position.  So, Raymond caught fish with his technique and I got skunked.

Of course Raymond has a great smile.  Yep, that striper did swallow his hand and much of his forearm with room to spare.  No, he's not probing for the hook.

Bill is happy for the moment, but the striper decided to break a snap on the stringer and  the PIG sank into the deep with Bill trying to grasp it's tail.

Bill now uses a stringer of his own design to keep his catches alive and maintain weight.

And so it goes,      Joy T B

Another fishless day

With reports of stripers being boated and being informed the sea was laying down, we decided to launch at Kiptopeke.  The fish were scarce at 38A as the water temp dropped to 42.  Other captains rationalized that the Cabbage Patch area at the gut drop off might be warmer and hold fish.  That was our destination.  

Launched and struggled to get the boat turned and hold course through the narrow harbor entry.  It was tough, but tolerable behind the ships.  Once in the open bay, we were tossed like a cork in the minimum 4 foot seas.  Even near no wake speed, we were wet with the spray, water in the stern motor well lapped on the deck.  Raymond had on my extra Arctic Wear fishing suit for cold  and wet.  While he was wet, inside he was warm and dry.  Thankful he didn't have on his dry weather insulated suit.

Decided to head back in to the dock before we got swamped.  

 Tough going, but Bill got the trailer backed into the water and I got the boat on it with only one miss.  Bill cranked it to the bow stop and the cable parted. Hauled out anyway and then jury rigged the broken cable.  Made it to the Marine Shop near Food Lion and got a new cable.  A project for a supposed Sat off the water.

Then to Food Lion as Raymond would make Gumbo for dinner.  Nope, missing LA ingredients.  Settled for hamburger steaks, sausage, and shrimp.  A veggie pack and artichokes.  Later, oinked down chips and Bill's home made salsa.  He brought mild and hot.  Both too much for my exhaust port, but Bill and Raymond handled it just fine.

About time the clean up was finished, we were exhausted and disappointed with our continued bad. Luck.  Of course I'd rather be writing about Cow Tales.  It seems that without bad luck, we wouldn't have luck at all.

What a gorgeous day . . .

Unfortunately, not for fishing.  Bright sunshine, clear sky.  But, howling wind out of the West and 4 foot and more sea.  Too much for my 21.5 SeaPro.  It can handle 4 foot, but there's always 6 foot rogues.  Hours of getting beat up on the water is not fun in a small boat.  If the bite is strong, maybe, but the bite isn't that good.  What bite there is requires drifting near buoy 40, about 17 miles North of the Kiptopeke launch.  Heavy seas mean about 5 mph - at least 3 hours to get there and the same time for return.  As Bill says, Ya need claw like toenails!

Mike Smedley, my long time mentor using a neat identical boat hull, suggested the following:

SW, W, and NW may be fishable to 14 mph.  16 is dangerous for this boat.  N and S need considerable thought.  Any wind with an E in the direction is fishable.  While I've fished at buoy 18 and boated cows, this year is different.  My historical waypoints show a line from 18'upmto 36A.

So, picked my brother up at the Norfolk International Airport this morning.  Went to the Kiptopeke launch to verify the sea.  It was bad as forecast.

Stopped at Oceans East and got a replacement rod holder for one that got broke on the boat.  These just keep the rods organized while towing to the ramp

Also got a couple corks that seemed to be a different color.  We seemed to occumulate yellow in excess.  Had two tone red/white and red.  

Spent some time drilling the cork to take a pvc tube and trying to glue it in place with JB Weld.  Always used other glues in the past that worked well.  Don't know about this glue job.

This picture is just to show the current colors.  At one time, I wanted a tape color on the rod to match the cork, but it seldom works out.  Yet, it also shows a rod holder I use to transport rods from and to the boat from the motel room.  Rod and reel cost is about $200.  Neighbor uses rod/reel that cost $1000!  Obviously they come off the boat every night and only get back on the boat to fish.

More later as the forecast may change .  .  .

Another day blown off the bay

OK, Guess I'm chicken, but 15-20 NW winds mean heavy seas where we fish.  So, more boat maintenance, blog duty, and naps.  

Still disappointed with the Verizon cloud for the I-pad as it only allows download/visual of photos backed up from the I-pad.  Meaning I can't download photos stored in my cloud account as uploaded from my desktop, android, etc.  Was supposed to be able to access the cloud from all my devices - sucks.  I have to e-mail photos and open them with the device.  

Went North to Exmore, about 30 miles to look for a launch ramp further up the bay.  Found one near Exmore.  Left on 183 Occohannock Neck Rd off US route 13.  Then A right on  Morely's Wharf Rd. 

Ok, but a long drive from the Sunset Beach Motel.  Or was it?  Today was a super high tide and the parking lot was under water.  Couldn't see the ramp. Would b a mess to return at high tide and not be able to find the ramp.  Bill says it would be ok as there wouldn't be any backing down the ramp.  Just drive the boat on the trailer if it hadn't floated away.

More later,     

OK, it's later and had to leave the room for some air because the neighbor is cooking a huge prime rib in a charcoal barbe.  Would be good if we were invited, but not a chance.  So, we get the lighter fluid fumes!  :(

Bill says that our cook will be here on Thursday.  Raymond does it great, but was asking if we had the good eats located?

Maybe I should provide more info about launches here abouts for the bay side.  The one near Exmore is described earlier.  Kiptopeke has a generous parking lot that is above flood tide.  The dock isn't!  Be prepared for waiding if a flood tide.  Get a state year pass for Kiptopeke and save a bundle if Ya got a handicap permit.  Otherwise. Fees range from $7 weekdays and maybe $9 for weekend.  Busy weekends can have a long launch time.

Cape Charles is a great free public ramp that fills fast.  We go there to get further North in the bay.  Also, it's about the only place to get expensive alcohol free fuel.  Ya can get it on the water, but only during open ours.  If Ya want after hour fuel, ya can register a credit card and have an access code and also use your pin to fuel.  As I mentioned, it's a buck more than regular.  Think we should research for another station that has alcohol free fuel.

Finally, keep in mind where a great boat shop is located on US 13 East side just North of the turn off to Cape Charles.

Whoops, don't forget about Chris' Bait and Tackle where ya can get eels and register citations.  Check the face book site to see yerself in print.

For lodging, we do a monthly fisherman's rate.  Now about $40 plus tax.  Sunset Beach is pretty good about a refund if the weather sends everyone home.  The rate includes a continental breakfast, adequate boat an auto parking.  A fish cleaning station is available where ya can wash yer boat down.  A Shell station North of rhe Food Lion has a boat wash station next door.  Maybe nice to know.

Have to check up on my SeaTow policy.  Hopefully never neded, but ya never know.

OK, fingers need a rest .  .  .and so it goes.

Well, the Dewayne Lamb crew next door celebrated their Rockfest wins with the prime rib.  Just before bed, came a knock on the door and I was gifted a huge perfectly cooked prime rib.  Bill and I had settled to the fact that we had 8 wings to share.  

Great to have generous fishing neighbors.  Hopefully Capt. Dewayne will show us the way next time we can get on the water.  

What to do when the seas overwhelm my boat.

Well, the weather isn't cooperating 30 mph winds means "stay off the water".

So, the plan was to go to the boat repair shop just North of Food Lion.  Got bulk gallon oil for the boat and some de carbon chemical.  Took the defective coupler and the right size wasn't available.  There was a repair kit and the shop owner went ahead and installed it.  Good thing as he had all the right tools.  Wanted a 3 bank rod holder to replace a broken one on the boat, but it must wait until I pick Raymond up at the airport on Thursday.  Oceans East is on the way or return.

Back at the motel, Bill got right on installing the repaired coupler.  After a brief warm up, Bill agreed to install the new batteries.  A huge job, to say the least.  Anyone would groan when handling 80 pound batteries.  Especially when wrestling them into a cubby hole inside the console.  I worried needlessly about getting all the battery wires correctly reinstalled.  Not a smooth test as all didn't go right at first.  Then got the tests right and all seems well.

Decided to check the bay.  Looks calm at the Kiptopeke launch and in the Beach Channel.  But, the forecast is for the NE winds to shift to NW and finally W by the end of the week.  10-20 mph throughout the week?  Keep hoping the forecast could be wrong, but .  .  .

Maybe a better strategy would be to fish Lake Anna or Kerr.  Well, likely Kerr as Bill's boat is there.  Yet, it's only talk as COWs are the objective.

one day to get it done, but . . .

So, Bill looked at the coupler, made one attempt and then went for his electric Impact tool.  Short work and the bolts are out and ready for a trip to the boat shop tomorrow.  

And so the boat maintenance continues.

Tomorrow, maybe new trolling motor batteries.  Got two new Interstate 29s charged and ready.  

Dwayne Lamb, Larry Mullins, E.B. Padgeant,  Larry with a 58 1/2 pound COW.

Bill and I fished all day and had to stop when the trolling motor lost power.  We got off to a slow start because we needed alcohol free fuel only available at the town of Cape Charles Marina.  My card was out of date and Bill changed cards.  Really busy day as no parking was available.  Took an hour just to get my card updated and take fuel.  Decided to go back to Kiptopeke launch and that worked ok as we got a handicap space.  Fished near buoy 18 and trie to get on a drift.  But no wind and needed the trolling motor to keep the baits pulling.

Trie all the way up and past Plantation Light.  Then. Off Cape Charles on the West of the gut.  No take down all day, nor did we see anyone with fish on.  With the loss of TM power, decided to beat the crowds at the ramp.  

Back at the motel, Bills crock pot beef was a welcomed meal.  Had a south west salad kit too.  

Later, the catch reports came in.  All way North and just at dusk.  The photo shows just one of the many citations boated.

We were disappointed because the water was mostly ripple free swells.  Unusual for the bay and we could have motored most anywhere. 

Now Sunday and everyone is on shore due to the 30 mph winds expected for the next few days.  

So, BILL DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CRAP ON MY BOAT AND TRUCK.  It now looks somewhat cleaned?

Hey, hey shadow man is in the photo as is a finger.  

Earned a day or two off . . .

OK,  we got beat up pretty bad on Tuesday.  Bill left on Wed due to need to attend a funeral back home.  Since the seas calmed a lot, Jim Bo and his son Brantley went to the ships anchored near 36.  For their 17 foot skiff, the seas were uncomfortable, but they managed.  Brantley had to get back for school.  Wasn't a good fish day and they got skunked.  At least they caught fish over the past weekend.  They had lots of eels left and stopped and gifted them to Bill and I.  Now wish I'd taken a photo of their team.  Maybe Bill took a photo.  Nope,  then maybe Jim Bo can email a photo of the team with their boat and or fish?

Met BJ and David in the breakfast room this morning.  Like Dewayne Lamp and buddies, most all were heeding the small craft warnings.  Yet Dewayne's boat is gone and I presume he' on the water.

No word from teacher about his exploits.  Not sure why he stopped writing.  But, the photos he provided of Adam holding evidence shows he's da man!

Found the eel tubes that I misplaced while unloading gear.  Used Real Magic on the reels exposed to the salt on Tue.  

So, is the boat ready?

Sure hope so.

Well, not so!  The coupler needs work.  I unhitched for transportation while Bill was away. When Bill returned on Friday, took a half hour to get the coupler to lock on the ball.  Certainly less than the hour it took me to do it and delayed my departure for an hour.  Needs work in the next few days.  

Getting gear ready for Kiptopeke 2014

OK, it's time to be sure I have gear packed and ready for the 2014 Kiptopeke COWs season.

(*) marks "to do" items.

(*) I'm thinking that I need new boots.  Since I can't find the ones I've worn for several years.  Strange how things seem to hide without help.  The missing pair came from Walmart and I don't see a reason to change.  While I'm there, (*) I'll buy a micro sd card and adapter for the Simrad.  Might need to store some waypoints.  (*) Need to power the Lowrance HDS 8 to see if it has waypoints marked for the Cape Charles area.  Supposedly, the HDS 9 gen 2 can now talk to the HDS 8?

So many clothes to take along to accommodate the weather situations.  I certainly like the aluminized body fit undies.  Bill calls it a Superman outfit.

Still have a reservation at the Sunset Beach Resort for the month of December.  Should be room 145 at the end of a wing and gives easy access for boat parking electric.  Think Dewayne Lamb reserved the suite next to our room.  We wanted the suite, but it wasn't affordable for my budget.

The refrigerator is always a problem as the dorm size motel unit just doesn't hold enough for a long stay.  I have a 6 cu ft chest and a tall refrigerator with about 2 cu ft freezer compartment.  Have used both and Bill and I need to make a decision.

Bill has a great electric skillet that cooks great fish, steaks, etc.  We also have a folding table that fits over the AC at the front of the room.  (*) Need to get utensils gathered along with extension cords including one to charge the boat.  (*) A garbage can with appropriate size bags.  (*) Plastic bags for cleaned fish.  Will also bring a crock pot.

The Motel an acceptable breakfast if we wait to get on the water in the  morning.  Sort of my undoing as I don't seem to be able to get on the water at dawn when the fish are on the feed.  My bowel has a mind of it's own these days.

(*) Need to lube the trailer hubs, grease the motor fittings,