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  My card was out of date and Bill changed cards.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,

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!

Guess the 2014 Kiptopeke COW season is coming on . . .

Hey Pardners,

Just got a call from Bill Fowler concerning lodging.  While I already made reservations at the Sunset Beach Resort, a house is just too tempting.  Especially with the likes of Gregg Patterson.  Called Gregg on August 7 to check about his house rental.  Think he's too busy with charters.

Still home bound due to rotator cuff surgery on my left wing, I'm getting anxious to head to any water and fish.  But, doing boat maintenance instead.  Just got the quartz spot lights on the T (fore and aft) changed to LED.  Still need to replace one of the two start batteries, grease the boat steering, and the wheel bearings.

Bill invited me to test my shoulder at Kerr and it was a great test.  I only boated two of these, one on a pencil popper and one from a downline.

Got some silicone around the base of the liquid filled compass, but having trouble getting the forward screws seated.  Need to redrill the holes, maybe that will solve the problem.

I want to get the Sea Pro on Lake Anna and check the electronics and other performance stuff.  Blog.jimhemby.com shows a lot of great striper fishing techniques and catches.  If you follow his daily journal, you can follow his change from Lowrance to Simrad and the addition of CHIRP to his arsenal to locate stripers.  Check out Youtube Mike Smedley and  take a look at his finding stripers with CHIRP.  Mike does both inland lakes and salt and is also known as "Team Old School".

So, here's the current evolution of the my Sea Pro electronics.  The Simrad on the left has a CHIRP hub and can accept the Airmar TM150M.  Chirps about 95 to 150 in the specifications, but has a broader range.  But, I'm finding that the HST-USBL wide angle skimmer will chirp at several custom frequencies.  Seems to be more effective in shallow inland lakes.  Running at 200 kHz seems best on Lake Anna. This ducer chirps about 185 to 215 kHz (a guess) when 200 is chosen.  It can run as 50, 83, 200, medium chirp and high chirp.  Each might work best for differing situations (species).  Yes, I have a blank screen at one frequency and beautiful arches at another!  It makes a difference.

The Lowrance on the right has a build in LSS gen 2 hub. The display is fabulous even with the 9.   the screen shot of an underwater bridge above Stubbs Bridge on Lake Anna is awesome!

Of course interpretation of the view in the following image is a learned experience.  The Airmar CHIRP TM150M ducer is being run at a custom 105 kHz and the boat was slowed from about 20 to the shown 3.4 mph to show the arches to the right of the sereen.  I'll post screen shots later with the broadband ducer running at chirp 200 kHz.

Had some problems with voltage drop from the battery to the simulatneous operation of both units.  The Simrad will tolerate a voltage of 9-31 volts.  The Lowrance will only tolerate 10.8 to 17 volts.  Pretty easy with full load of electronics on the battery system to have a voltage drop to 10.8 volts and risk black out of the Lowrance screen.  Pete D. recommended a voltage regulator that will convert 9-24 volts to 12.0 volts.  Got it installed and it does the job!

Chirp and LSS can't be run simultaneously on the Simrad under some frequencies as the LSS shows "paused", but with two heads, I can run Chirp on the Simrad and LSS on the Lowrance and get er done.  Having both on the same display makes it easier to make screen shots and correlate the sonar and structure images.  Pretty important for interpretation.  As of 9/25/14, the latest update by Simrad corrected the "paused" problem when Chirp and Structure are shown in a split screen on the Simrad.

Think the Sea Pro electronics are ready for the Kiptopeke COWs encounter.  Will the COWs be there this year?

Planning for the 2014 Season

OK, it was a bad 2013 season.  No reason not to think positive for 2014 and decide how to striper fish in the Kiptopeke area.  2013 provided information about a larger area to fish than previous years.  Mother Nature cooperating, we are more assured of the capability of the Sea Pro to handle moderate seas.  Yet, it would be nice to have friends with larger boats extend an invitation when the seas get heavy.

Planned modifications of tackle include: make new eel tubes to have wider slots, need 12 for my boat and 12 for Bill's boat.  Need flags for planers and increased tension springs for the rear keeper.  Some means to make deployment and stowing of the Trolling Motor in heavy seas safer.  Side curtains for the T top.  Rear view monitor for the boat trailer like the one used for the hook up.  Change the reel spooling to mono overshot?