July 11, 2015 Meet & Greet at Lowes Wharf

[moc]

I was not planning on a convoy since I might get over to Lowes a little earlier so that I would meet Coop and be ready to meet everyone at the launch. With that being said, if anyone wants to meet at the Wawa and follow me to Lowes. That is not a problem. I plan on leaving the Wawa on Route 50, just before the Bay Bridge at 4:15am. I need to have myself situated so that I can help Coop make sure that everyone park their vehicles in the correct location, not directly in the restaurant parking lot. Since there will be a lot of us, we do not want to take up the parking spaces for the restaurant and the people paying to sleep in the rooms there.

The ramp is owned by the restaurant, and there is a sign that says you have to pay $5 to launch. Fortunately, Coop1486 has known the owner for a long time and worked out that we kayakers can launch there for free since we visit the owner's restaurant. Since we are launching early in the morning, please try to be quiet and keep the noise down, so that we do not disturb the patrons who overnight for the weekend at the restaurant's motel.

[Cowpokey]

That's a little earlier than I was planning. I'll see you at the launch.

[moc]

See you at the launch... that is why I was not thinking of a convoy....LOL. I knew it might be too early, especially since we are not launching until 6:30- 7 am.

[moc]

What rigs to bring for a person unfamiliar with the area? Well, I agree with what Mark posted earlier in this thread. You can choose to use artificial lures or bottom fish with cut/live bait such as bloodworms (but I prefer fishbites), fresh shrimp and squid on a top and bottom rig. You may catch croakers, perch, and spot if they are in. The jig head and spinners will probably get you rockfish, perch and cow nose rays. Here are some pictures of some of the bait/lures that you could bring.

If you have a VHF radio to stay in touch, you can tune yours to channel 68 to keep in touch with other Snaggedline members.

[ronaultmtd]

Moc- gonna have to cancel due to family committments

[jsnyd86]

Moc,

Count me in for fishing, no to lunch. Excited to see and meet everyone, sounds like a good time. My last M&G was 3 years ago I think.

[jsnyd86]

Thanks to Moc and Mark for posting what to have. I was a little unsure on what exactly I'd need. One question I have is.

CNR, never caught one before but I read they have stingers. How are those managed at the boat? I'm guessing I'll be cutting the line?

[Pat Smith]

I am hoping to be there, it will require me leaving my house at 4am or so, but I got approval from the wife, which is the biggest hurdle. This will be my maiden voyage for the season.. I hope I can find everything I need.

[moc]

Moc,

Count me in for fishing, no to lunch. Excited to see and meet everyone, sounds like a good time. My last M&G was 3 years ago I think.

You are over due for one...

[moc]

Thanks to Moc and Mark for posting what to have. I was a little unsure on what exactly I'd need. One question I have is.

CNR, never caught one before but I read they have stingers. How are those managed at the boat? I'm guessing I'll be cutting the line?

The last one that I caught, not on purpose, I had to cut my line. Sometimes they will break your leader and get away on their own. They will give you a strong fight. I have seen some yakers, pull them towards shore, beach their yak and pull the ray onshore to measure and release it.

[moc]

I am hoping to be there, it will require me leaving my house at 4am or so, but I got approval from the wife, which is the biggest hurdle. This will be my maiden voyage for the season.. I hope I can find everything I need.

I will be leaving at that time too... see you there.

[moc]

Moc- gonna have to cancel due to family committments

Sorry to hear that, I will miss you there pulling in the big fish.

[moc]

Just to help out with where to park, I found this picture from Coop1486 that was posted on the July 2014 Meet and Greet. The areas t park away from the restaurant are marked. If you park past the ramp, then you have gone too far. Avoid parking past the ramp.
Lowes Wharf Parking lot.jpg

[Mark]

CNR, never caught one before but I read they have stingers. How are those managed at the boat? I'm guessing I'll be cutting the line?

I don't bring rays to the boat. I used to but got soaked in the process and lost a lot of fishing time getting them boat-side. I never got my lures back anyway. Instead I now point my rod directly at the ray so that there is no bend in the rod. I hold the drag (my spool) so there is no release of line. The ray will break my line fairly fast either at the lure or at the junction of my leader and line. This method saves line and time.

The good news is that rays have been scarce to non-existent in my recent outings in the Severn and Whitehall Bay. I haven't been near Poplar for over a week so I don't know if they are there. But I wonder if the deluge of fresh water from our rains have chased the rays south?

Good luck on your outing.

[moc]

Here is the current list of everyone who is going as far as I know...we have 23 scheduled to attend and maybe more....

Coop1486 (lunch)
MOC (lunch)
MrJB00G13 (lunch)
Cowpokey (lunch)
Pat Smith (lunch)
Ken Kayak (lunch)
YakCapn (lunch)
Echo5oscar (lunch)
DonV
22Tango (lunch)
Yak67 (lunch)
FishingGeek (lunch)
MedicYaker (lunch)
Fast Eddie (lunch)
Bohunr (lunch)
Goody (Tentative) (lunch)
Dimo (lunch)
Plastic Boat
Jsnyd86
DaddyG (lunch)
yakken121212 (lunch)
Pc4sun (lunch)
Shield

The weather is still looking good with low 6 mph winds 85 degrees. With the low winds, this will be a good Meet and Greet for those that have never been to one, or are new to kayaking. Fish the shorelines, bottom fish in the deeper channels or just troll for a hook up....

Do not forget to bring a lure, artificial bait, or fishing related item for the bucket of lures (this is not mandatory and is just for fun). There will also be a prize for the largest fish landed and measured via your camera. Your lures will be collected at lunch time and the prizes will be given out at lunch. You must be present to win.

As for those of you with marine radios, we will be on channel 68, unless anyone has any objections.