Boats & Motors

10/23/2026

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10/23/2026

YOU WILL SEE SOME SCHOOLIES IN 3 OR 4 SEASONS

The sept seine hauls in Maryland did not produce a miracle. The final 2026 yoy striper survey number was just below the 6 mentioned here before the last sweeps were done. Even though it's an increase from the disasters of the last 7 years , it is such a below average number that it can be considered indicative of a poor to failed Maryland spawn

However , and somewhat overlooked , was the yoy count from the Virginia tributaries and rivers. This study is conducted by the kids from William & Mary. The 2026 mean from that survey was an above average 9. Last year was a 5. Average is 7. Although substantially less spawning ground is covered by the Virginia surveys , it still means that we had a fair number fish make it out of larval stage down there.

spawning conditions were considered near optimal this spring so taken as a whole , the yoy production can only be considered disappointing.

As much as these results are not the 9th inning home run we needed , they do mean that we will have reason to keep a small topwater rigged for morning fun in 2029 and 30. I guess we just bought a smidge of time to get the thing figured out.

It certainly wasn't seals , overfishing or bait issues that caused the situation we are in. The cause was macro environmental changes. How it gets solved is anyone's guess. My roulette bet would be on hatcheries

My belief is that New England charter boats focused mainly on striper fishing are going to see it much tougher in 27 amd nearly impossible in the years following. Don't get into the biz !!!

Skippy

Pic below of me taking kids out to have fun this summer. Hopefully I can continue to provide that experience

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Fintastic! That is the only word I can think of to describe the Derby experience I had today. I’m blessed to call Leigh and Kevin Lord friends. Kevin had texted me on Sept. 30, “I got an offer you can’t refuse. My biz partner is coming down the last week of the Derby from New Orleans. I’m ta...

10/19/2026

For the coming season 2027 we have some open vaccancies on Morgenster for

- mates (with dutch CoC for sailing vessel

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

"The awards ceremony was full of humor and good cheer. Another testament to the community spirit of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race that has spanned more than three & a half decades. A dramatic celebration of the wonder of the Chesapeake Bay. Both PRIDE & VIRGINIA are two of its “queens,” representing the two states that bound the Bay. And are clearly benefited by the Bay."

In his latest Captain’s Log, Captain Jan Miles reflects on PRIDE II’s participation in The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, from the light winds & shortened course to the tactical challenges that shaped the race against VIRGINIA.

Read Captain Miles's full log here: https://pride2.org/captains-log-great-chesapeake-bay-schooner-race-2026/

Photo courtesy of Tim Mangus.