CHATHAM / BARNSTABLE you VOTE July 15th

[John R]

You might want to check places on Mass South Coast and miss some / most of the Cape traffic. Unfortunately in Wesport or Dartmouth (Padanaram sp??) you might have trouble parking for a few days. But there must be some good ramps marion, Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, Wareham - access from 495/25/195/

[Jon G]

Parking at Ryders is BAD , they re did that parking lot a year or so ago and proceeded to severly limit off street parking,with in days of finishing the lot state and local signs went up, before you could always get in it was a matter of how far you wanted to walk to park your truck, now they have a new parking lot and seven or so of the 20 or so spots are for Chatham residents only, you need to get there early or you have to walk at least a 1/4 mile way up the street before th no parking signs stop. Still do able just a pain, I also just remembered that commercial striper season starts the 12th so sunday parking will be gone by 6:30 AM Also this year the inlet has really changed for the worse leaving very shallow water to get through even two hours before and after low tide. I can't remember the last time I saw commercial boats sitting out front waiting for the tide to come in. I have used ryders exclusivly in the past ten years, going out four or five days a week in mid summer but this year I've been out twice so far. I hate being limited to having to watch the tide so hard if the wind pics up your in trouble if its low tide. The inlet used to have good water and was runnable 95% of the time, this years bar leaves DRY SAND fifty feet from mid channel at low tide. I've been using the south side ramps for monomoy access and have not regretted spending $$$$ on ramp stickers. The south beach inlet is now shoaled in to and usable only at high tide, that used to be my escape if the Chatham inlet got so ugly that I didnt want to try it when it ws time to come home, I would shoot down and slip through the south beach cut but thats all but gone now unless its high tide so If you get in a jam and can't run Chatham inlet you need to go all the way around Monomy to get back to Stage harbor. If the tide is gonna be up it should be fine, As far as fog usually a south or south east wind will make fog almost guaranteed, but not alaways, fog just happens, I've seen it in every wind condition, I have been out in nice bright sun and within thirty seconds had fifty foot visibility. Some times it lasts for an hour sometimes for days. If it does lift its funny to watch fifty boats put the throttle down for the inlet only to have the fog settle in agian with in a minute. It also has to do with the tide as far as Pleasant Bay is concerened. I've seen the tide change and after a while cold water floods pleasant bay and the fog hangs only over the cold water making a wall of fog. One Saturday Last year Ryders cove was hot and sunny tons of boats heading out and as soon as you hit ministers point a wall of solid fog covered the other half of the bay and just sat there. Funny to see sixty plus boats filled with people and all there beach stuff sitting ther not knowing what to do just sitting waiting for it to lift. It was there all day to. It always a possiblity but if you keep your gps leaving a track and you get out you just follow it back if it turns foggy. Fog is usually worst in Chatham and Nantucket but it also gets in to Nantucket sound and Cape Cod Bay too at times. But its not nearly as thick. I have seen Chatham fog so thick it was running down my eight foot anteneas while I was trolling almost like it was raining out. I have also seen it where it is was foggy but you could still see half a mile to. Can't let it ruin your day but some times it pops up with out notice. Hopefully I will have my gas tank 5200ed back in by them

[RS]

Maybe we should consider meeting on the CCB side. Barnstable perhaps?

[oldbluesplayer]

Roger - I've wondered the same, given all the talk about access, parking, fog, etc - the other ramps mentioned sounded pretty good, but going all the way out and around Monomoy when I don't know the area is a bit daunting... but this is Trayder's gig, so I'll let him make the call...

John R - on the topic of ramps giving good access to MV, I'd rather run the cape traffic, to launch near Falmouth area, to run over there - what have you heard / know about the ramp near Edwards Boatyard in the upper Waquoit Bay area? supposedly public, with good parking: state / town / fees / useage at any tide / inlet access out of Waquoit into the sound ???

thanks

Bill

[Trayder]

Its OUR gig so lets take a vote.

Chatham or Barnstable

I could care less as a day on my Seacraft even in Antarctica is fine with me.

Barnstable would be a great alternative as it is easy to get to, has great fishing, fantastic ramp, and a very nice sandbar.

you guys vote

[caper]

Barnstable

[oldbluesplayer]

I gotta admit I could go either way - either is new ground to me, and Chatham does sound real interesting - plus it sounds like there are alot of folks right there -

I'm just thinking that for Chatham, having done some ramp and chart research, that gathering up that caravan, launching en-masse at Harwichport, and doing a buddy boat trip to Chatham - especially if we go out and around Monomoy - or meeting a local to guide us through any inside route, would be the way to go.

either way, I'm game.

Bill

[rockdoc]

I'm out unfortunately. The '65 Bowrider is getting a new mercruiser engine and outdrive that I'm pulling out of the '70 Seafari (which needs a transom, how convenient...), and I doubt I'll have it done and ready for the trip over by the 15th, LOL! Oh well, I'll get to the next one for sure!

rockdoc

[RS]

I would have liked to explore pleasant bay and the fishing off of Chatham - it would have been new water for me. But Jon G makes a compelling argument to find another location (lack of parking, fog, shoaled inlets, etc).

I've only been to Barnstable once - this year. Parking is also limited, but there is also easy access from Sandwich or Sesuit. It's also generally in the lee of the normal SW winds.

If we choose Barnstable, my plan would probably be to put in at Sandwich and fish my way to Barnstable.

I'd vote for Barnstable with what I know now. A good argument for Chatham could change my mind, but so far the local members seem to think there is a high likelihood of problems.

[CHANCE1234]

I am from chatham and having said that i am not always comfortable navigating in and aroudn the area especially in fog. I would have to say that the cape cod bay side would probably be better. Not to mention i have seen school bluefin upto 100lbs there already this year. many good bass areas too. I vote for Barnstable.