Cornwall 2007!

[nickever]

I agree that we should be trying to get this forum back on track with some actual tales of spearfishing in cornwall!!

I have had some terrible luck with the visibility this season and seem to have wasted countless hours treking to a number of spots on all coasts in search of new and productive grounds only to find it hard to see beyond the end of my gun! Guess that is just the gamble we take?

With the weather as it is, is their any point in trying to get in the water at the moment with the wind, swell and rain? Any more experienced spearos out there able to offer any tips as where to go at the moment? (Just general advice - i don't expect you to give up your secret spots!)

How is this season measuring up for you guys? Is it just me and my inexperience at reading the conditions/places to go at certain times?

 

[Mr. X]

...I have had some terrible luck with the visibility this season and seem to have wasted countless hours treking to a number of spots on all coasts in search of new and productive grounds only to find it hard to see beyond the end of my gun! Guess that is just the gamble we take?

With the weather as it is, is their any point in trying to get in the water at the moment with the wind, swell and rain?

...How is this season measuring up for you guys? Is it just me and my inexperience at reading the conditions/places to go at certain times?

The weather has been awful this year. I went in on Friday, in poor conditions (but the best of the week so far), in Dorset. I got a shot at a mullet but otherwise it was a bit of a wash out - so I used it as an opportunity to explore the area a bit, visit some shops & cast a lure. All that said, fish wise it has been fairly good this season -- mainly because I have been more selective about the weather & location. High winds: >10mph out of the West, SW or south particularly, are normally a bad sign for me (it tends to kill vis. & make me sea sick) -- but some bays have their own micro-climates & shelter. Rain (& cold) doesn't bother me so much, as least, short light showers. Sometimes the forecast rain all occurs in the early morning or late evening -- so if showers are forecast it is sometimes worth checking the hourly forecast on weather.co.uk.

Was hoping to dive today or Monday but the forecast has deteriated significantly.

 

[dave]

It has been a pretty crap season for me too, partly weather, and partly life getting in the way of diving! It is mid August, and I haven't even made it out to the eddystone yet this year!
As regards finding viz, crap weather is when having a boat really pays off, you can try more spots, and get further out to get away from the inshore muck. If you are limited to shore diving, Sennen almost always has viz, even in a big swell
cheers
dave
Spearguns by Spearo uk ltd finest supplier of speargun, monofins, speargun and freediving equipment

 

[Huw]

I have to say that the weather this season has been the only thing really holding me and buddy back (other than infuriating boat problems). It turns bad and then the vis hits zero, but when it clears i really have been having some brilliant times in the water.

I tend to have been seeing more fish, trying more spots - and also feeling generally more comfortable in the water. I think i would put it all down to a good early start thanks to the new suit, so it meant that all of the usual start-of-season mistakes happened when the fish were not really around.

Before the season is out all I want is a trigger and a conger, but can't seem to find them anywhere and then i'll be happy!

Lets hope this weather clears soon!

Huw.

 

[spearheads]

The viz in devon/torquay has also been rubbish no more than 4 meters all summer. I have also felt that the water has been colder.
Seen 2 triggers this year, wasn't sure if they were any good to eat so left them, some say they are excellent eating so next time i will.

 

[geebee]

Geebee....welcome to the forum, naturally I would hold a degree of suspicion first as to whether you are a troll from BSAC...but if you are genuine you will quickly see that spearo's are generally and collectively a good bunch of people carrying on a sport that has always come from a sustainable, fair and sporting foundation well before conservation and ethics were ever discussed. You may well know, as I have found out that a lot of the UK scuba club foundations grew out of freediving/spearfishing clubs (ie. Swanage).
:friday

I feel better now

Funnily enough I am PADI divemaster trained and have just joined Torbay BSAC this summer -- and they LOVE eating the wildlife They are conservative and eat what they take - mainly crabs and scallops. I was always a bit dubious about it but then I realised I bought seafood from supermarkets that would have had a harder time being caught than anything I pulled out of the ocean as humanely as possible.

I am hoping to find someone to take me out for a "lesson" before I buy too much equipment. I already have my eye on a Scrambler XT/Scupper Pro for kayak diving/freediving/spearfishing...


My wife is going to kill me...

Just been out in Torbay doing my boat handling course today - but its not Cornwall so I will leave it there...the viz is crap and has been all year for us too. Dived the Perron in 1m vis last week and dropped down onto a 14" across crab. Yummy crabcakes.

 

[Old Man Dave]

Been a poor season here too. Worse vis for 30 years in the spring. Must be true as it was even reported on the TV. Since then the vis has got better and then just as it starts to get good there’s another gale.

Currently after nearly 2 weeks of “weather” vis is nothing – again. Even when vis was fishable there have been less fish. Definitely less bass this year.

The real problem though has been the lack of flatties. Commercials did very well in spring probably due to the poor vis helping them hide their nets but since then no ones catching. Day and night freediving this year has produced for me about 20% of last years catch. There’s none out deep either. Tanking the deep banks is producing the worse catches for 40 years.

Then of course because of the idiot politicians we lost our 12-mile limit and the big beam trawlers have been raping our 3 to 12 mile grounds. Some people say they’ve moved off as they have already wiped it clean. Who knows if that’s the problem but it can’t help and as for the future .

Dave

 

[SurfnSpear]

I feel better now

Funnily enough I am PADI divemaster trained and have just joined Torbay BSAC this summer -- and they LOVE eating the wildlife They are conservative and eat what they take - mainly crabs and scallops. I was always a bit dubious about it but then I realised I bought seafood from supermarkets that would have had a harder time being caught than anything I pulled out of the ocean as humanely as possible.

I am hoping to find someone to take me out for a "lesson" before I buy too much equipment. I already have my eye on a Scrambler XT/Scupper Pro for kayak diving/freediving/spearfishing...


My wife is going to kill me...

Just been out in Torbay doing my boat handling course today - but its not Cornwall so I will leave it there...the viz is crap and has been all year for us too. Dived the Perron in 1m vis last week and dropped down onto a 14" across crab. Yummy crabcakes.

Geebee...I think my wife has plotted on many occasions to end my spearing life prematurely, however the skill is in knowing just when to feed them their fish....:chatup

 

[scottwilson]

Hey does anyone know if the Thurlestone spearo comp on the 31st of August is still on?

 

[spearflap]

trigger fish is exellent eating, a bit of a nightmare to fillet as there skin is like plastic,so get those knives sharp.dived south coast yesterday a bit mirky but managed 2 bass one being on the better side of 3 and half pound,took 2 shots at some mackeral wich seemed to do a matrix dodge of the spear, but thats my excuse,
also saw 5 other spearos in boat who seemed to have a good catch ,hello if you use this forum.conditions looking ok for next week

 

[gutshot]

Hello...

Do most spearos have a "Team Death Squad" mentality and rape cuttlefish?

Just got back from camping:rcard . Bloody wind and rain! Never managed to get in for a dive but saw 10+ Great Whites , err sorry, Basking sharks at sennen on saturday. Also found a couple of nice looking spots while walking in the rain!

Anyway, i never raped the cuttlefish. I can assure you it didn't say no once!

And it gave me a kiss

 

[Old Man Dave]

You can tell if a cuttlefish is willing by giving it a testicle .

Dave

 

[nickever]

Heading across to Talland Bay to go camping for a couple of nights at the end of the week. By sheer 'co-incidence' I see that this is the venue for one of the BSA national competitions! Imagine my wifes surprise!!

Anybody fished this area and can give me some advice as to where is productive to try? It must be good if they hold comps there right? Hoping for some nice weather - forecast looks quite good end of the week unless I'm mistaken?

 

[foxfish]

Lets hope you don't arrive the day after a comp!

 

[Spaniard]

Heading across to Talland Bay to go camping for a couple of nights at the end of the week. By sheer 'co-incidence' I see that this is the venue for one of the BSA national competitions! Imagine my wifes surprise!!

Anybody fished this area and can give me some advice as to where is productive to try? It must be good if they hold comps there right? Hoping for some nice weather - forecast looks quite good end of the week unless I'm mistaken?

That whole area is good. Entering from the beach and turning left will eventually take you to Looe Island. Turning right takes you to a headland and then Polperroo if memory serves me correctly. They don't always hold comps in the best areas but for convenience for parking, weighing, accessibility etc. etc. One of my favourite parts of the world; you must go to The Kitchen, a restaurant in Polperro, excellent fish and seafood!!!!!

 

[Mr. X]

By sheer 'co-incidence' I see that this is the venue for one of the BSA national competitions! Imagine my wifes surprise!!

Small & quiet, I like it. Probably best to go before the spearing competition rather than after . Rame head is also supposed to be good too - didn't get to dive it myself tho'.

 

[max01726]

Dave (spearo.com)

were you in fowey a couple of days ago on a little dinghy with wheels on the back?? i saw a spearo but he sort of looked like you?! just wondering!!
cheers
max

happy spearing

 

[badlander]

Serious lack of spearing down my way of late.It's driving me nuts.South coast looks good right now but getting married in 9 days and theres too much to do.I've vowed to get in at the weekend though.No pun intended.

 

[SurfnSpear]

...9 days....vis will be just right by then:head but then you won't be allowed out anymore...:ban
Good luck for the day.

 

[Spaniard]

Serious lack of spearing down my way of late.It's driving me nuts.South coast looks good right now but getting married in 9 days and theres too much to do.I've vowed to get in at the weekend though.No pun intended.

Congratulations in advance, or comiserations.... I'll be doing the same in 12 months. Good luck.