Guernsey 2007

[gsyrider]

Thanks for the advice guys, especially Old Man Dave. Lots of info, cheers!

I'll keep my eyes peeled on this forum for more advice from you guys, but after speeking to my mate, we're quite keen on taking you up on your offer sometime foxfish, to get some firsthand advise.

We went out on Saturday about an hour before low at a west coast location another friend of mine advised. Vis wasn't too bad i guess and we ended up staying in for almost 3 hours!! (love my new wetsuit) spent most of my time hiding in the thick bootlace at about 3ft depth looking out over sandy channels about 7 ft depth with bootlace either side. Saw more deccent sized fish than i'd ever seen anywhere else, a few bass and mullet around and i saw a rather large Bream from a far.. never seen a bream before! shot a lovely sized Bass in the belly (clearly my shot needs practice!) and it got away looking quite worse for wear... poor fish. it'd have suffered a lot less if it had stayed on my spear

[Andy.R]

Hi all

Had my stag in Dinan last weekend and lived to tell the tale

Trying to get in the water this evening, I know its a falling tide and the wind is due to get up again, but its just about my only slot with the first relatives turning up tomorrow!!

I saw the Gordon Ramsay prog and thought it was mighty suspicious at the time.

Filletting flatties is easier than round fish, what you need is a very sharp and as flexible knife as possible. that way you can run the blade down the bones. If the knife isnt flexible it just doesn't work.

[Old Man Dave]

Went for a quick snorkel Saturday but conditions were poor. Saw a bass which was way too quick and then missed a second one at range. Neither were very big. Eventually speared a golden grey and a thick lipped mullet. Got the GG with a long range head shot using my Omer. My first successful long shot and must say I was impressed by the flat trajectory.

Sunday was out in my boat. Mainly caught a feed of scallops but had some mackerel and Pollack using the rods as well. Only one sole in the flatty department despite visiting some inshore gravel banks. Worst year for years for flatties – for me anyway.

Highlight of the day came while I was doing a drift dive prospecting for new scallop grounds. In about 55 foot over a shitty, stony bottom with little bits of weed I came across a big ray. It was a male blonde of at least 20lb and it was just sitting there resting on the stony bottom. My stabbing hand was twitching but I no longer take ray so after a good eyeballing I left him in peace. Another 50 yards with my nose fairly close down, looking for any scollies hiding in amongst the stones, I came across another grey patch of seabed. This ray was a female with an impressive wingspan and a weight of probably 30lb+. BIG fish. Like the male she was also lying uncovered and docile. Wish I had had my camera. Had a close look especially at the eyes. Blonde rays have golden eyes with weird concertina shaped pupils. She also had a strange little cartilage turned up nose. Amazing. Down here she appeared to be shades of grey with 5 big dark eye spots on each wing. Beautiful. Just touched her on the wing being careful not to scrape off the protective slime and then I went on my way. A little bit later I found my scallop patch, so maybe some reward.

I used to hunt big ray, targeting them in July/August when they come in to breed. They are still the mainstay of the commercial wet fish catch and are definitely very good eating. However, now I no longer fish commercially I don’t kill them, well I will not totally rule it out completely but generally they’re safe from me.

Dave

[Andy.R]

Nice one dave. BIG fish.

I had a nasty experience with a ray off brehon tower years ago. My mate stabbed it and it swam off with him. He ended going round in circles and we got the bobber line around us. I ended pulling him up on the bobber line by inflating my suit. Luckily we dived together a lot and trusted each other so it was not a problem.

Interesting article in Press today about the demise of the scallop

[Old Man Dave]

Brehon tower is a summer ray hotspot. Have had up to five large ones on a single drift for a total weight of well over the hundred pound. You definitely have to know how to handle them as they are very strong and can easily tow you around. You have to hit them right and apply a coup de gras in just the right spot. Big angler fish are also a problem although not so strong they got more teeth.

Forgot to mention yesterday that my mates SMB, a big dan complete with flag, almost got run down by a jetski. I had a big rigid fibreglass dive flag showing on my boat and was close by but bozzo probably didn't know what it meant. I gave him a shouted warning at which point he stopped, looked around, looked perplexed and then sped off. He had a small child riding on the back. Someones gonna get killed one day.

Dave

[Sarnian]

Scary stuff lads! Luckily there's no danger for me as a) I don't dive in deep water and b) I can't spot flatties anyway!

[Wardio]

hi all

Just got into spear fishing, bought the basic stuff, a basic beuchat gun from fletcher sports. and me and friend go down near the imperial hotel as his house is very close.
I was amazed to see so many guernseymen on here, didnt realise it was that popular in guernsey.
I know there have been lots or replys to newbies like myself asking for tips but it would take me ages to shift through it all.
So just looking generally for hot spots or good places to go and general tips for a newbie starting out!

Cheers
Alex

[Magpie]

Welcome! We've got bloney popular lately!

General tips:
If in doubt, move slower,
Don't shoot yourself,
Read ALL of this thread,
And this one http://forums.deeperblue.net/trip-re...ey-2006-a.html
And this one http://forums.deeperblue.net/trip-re...r-fishing.html

[Old Man Dave]

Great weather yesterday, for a change. Didn't manage in myself but looking out the window at work the sea looked sooooooo inviting.

Determined to go today but of course the usual shit load of wind came from nowhere and crapped it all up. However managed a quick dip after work that turned into a marathon. Went in Grande Havre to look for a flat or two just on low tide. Not too deep and the vis was better than I thought it would be at 15+foot. I spent two and a half hours searching every inch of sea bed. Was determined to find some. In the end managed 3 plaice, all small, but that means the most tasty. Two were very well buried and I found them by prodding and the other one was uncovered. Found a small sole as well but left it and also saw some cuttles and a couple of good size bass, all out on the sand.

Should be quite pleased with 3 fish but it was bloody hard work and my ears are still sore. Still plaice for tea tomorrow .

Dave

[Magpie]

3-2 now then, probably the only time I'll be in the lead till you hang up your mask for good. Nice work OMD.

[Old Man Dave]

Originally Posted by Magpie

till you hang up your mask for good. .

As Charlton Heston famously said "They'll have to pry it from my cold dead hand."

Dave

[foxfish]

Well done Dave, as you rightly say the small ones are the best eaters.
I am not sure about fishing for flatfish as last years ear problem is still on my mind. If there were more around I might be tempted but I guess there never will again?

[Wardio]

hi guys

I know your guna be thinking, oh god another newbie, but just thought i would post anyways.
Went out today at about 6 o clock with a buddy of mine, we went down portlet next to the imperial hotel as he lives literally 2 minutes away, just as we suited up and made for the sea the sun disappeared, a little disheartened but never the less we made our way into the deep blue and i was quite suprised at the good level of visiability. But unfortunately 20mins in and the further we went out the poorer the vis got, so hunted around the shallows looking for flatties and anything else we could find. Only seeing a small grey mullet we decided to call it a day after about an hour. Sea was suprisingly warm.
Bit disappointed at not seeing much but then again its all good experience and thats the best bit about going out, you never know if your going to see anything at all.

Anyone know of any good spots down on the south west coast??

Thanks

Alex

[ADM]

Good to get in the water though even if not much about and wouldn't worry about not seeing flatties, never seen one myself, seems to be an art which OMD is the best at!! Personally never seen much in open water, much better round and in the weedy reefy areas.

Down that way, try round the reefs just past low water from where you were Northwards. Couple hours either side of low, some of them are better on neaps as they are more covered and not dried out.

[Magpie]

Wardio, everyone is welcome mate, young, old, experienced, novice, male and even female!

Your input is just as valuable as anyone elses so write away. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask, but generally people don't get much response to "have you got any general tips" because its too general a question or "where should I go" because a) the fish can be anywhere round our island and b) people probably aren't going to give away their favourite spots to someone they've never met and certainly not on a forum that can be viewed by anyone, including commercial fishermen and shore netters.

Around Portlet is a good spot, plenty of bass round there and I know there's be flatties on the sand under the boats but haven't got round to actually going after them yet. The bit that I reckon holds the flatties down there would be quite deep for a novice though, but then there's always night diving...