| It's well known by now
that the kayak anglers have the best place to target trophy stripers
at the concrete ships off of Kiptopeke State Park on the Eastern
Shore. What makes it the best place for kayakers is the ease of
the fishery. The ships are 200 yards from the ramp at its closest
point. You don't have to paddle miles to have a chance at a big
striper. The rigging and technique are equally simple and easy as
well.
I use a heavy but slow
action solid fiberglass custom rod by Jessy Buky of JB rod which
I call the "Striper Stopper". Any conventional reel
will work as long as it has a clicker. This year I am using a
Daiwa Saltist LW20HA. I use 50 pound high visibility braded main
line with a 2 to 4 ounce egg sinker.
I put a bead between
the weight and the heavy barrel swivel. I use an arms length of
80 pound leader snelled to a 10/0 Owner SSW cutting point hook.
Do not use a leader lighter than 60 pound test. The stripers sand
paper mouths and will wear through lesser line during the fight.
The technique is simple.
I take one rod; any others in the rod holders will scrape against
the ship walls. The ends and alley ways between the ships are
where I like to concentrate. I drop the eel down to the bottom
and crank it up two or three turns to present the eel suspended
two to three feet above the bottom. Keep the eel off the bottom.
He will get into a snag faster than you can tie on another rig.
I like to keep the
eel as close to the walls as possible, I sit on the butt of the
rod so that my hands are free. I paddle to hover in position.
I leave my rod in free spool and the clicker on. When the eel
gets nervous the rod tip will bounce and a little line will roll
off. When the clicker makes a solid quick zip, zip, that's the
striper.
I know most anglers
don't like to deal with eels, but handling eels are a lot easier,
if you know how. A small flip top plastic container that has holes
drilled into the bottom works for the eel box. You have to drain
the eels otherwise they will suffocate on their own slime. I transport
them over ice.
While on the water,
I dip them in to freshen them up. I use a washcloth to grab them.
I get a real good grip behind the head. I hook them up through
the jaw and out the eye. Then quickly toss it into the water before
they ball up on the hook.
Stripers can be caught
anytime and any tide at the ships but we found the hottest bite
to be around the morning and evening change of the tide. Getting
that trophy striper onto your lap is a lot easier then most would
think also.
Forget about a net
or boga grip. I've seen too many lost at the side of the kayak
because the angler was fumbling around, trying to get a boga grip
on the stripers. Just remember leg, leader, lip, and lift. With
the fish alongside your boat, facing you, leader it with one hand,
put your leg in the water and your rod down. Lip the fish with
your rod hand. Use two hands on big ones. Lift with your leg and
arms and he will be in the boat.
The kayak striper fishery
at the concrete ship is the best place to target and land trophy
striper, and the easiest place to GET ON'EM. Check out last year's
striper footage on the "Kayak Fishing the Chesapeake Bay"
DVD at kayakkevin.com
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