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
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