Cornwall 2009

[diver9]

Do you use a drop weight that you can detach from your belt, which anchors the float to the seabed so that yoiu can dive around it, and then recover it an re-attach to your belt before you move on?

Gaz,

I used a drop weight although I prefer to use a karibiner to attach to my belt as sometimes the weight slips out. The one I use does not anchot as such, it tends to just hold the weight in a position but can move around slightly - Dave Spearo does them in yellow.

Stay Safe

Diver9

 

[badlander]

I tend to just clip the float to my gun and when i need to go shallow or in around the rocks i'll just dive down and tether it to some kelp.Which is to say i'm far too stingy to fork out for a drop weight.
To be honest though i probably use a float for 5% of dives if that.There are places though that would be suicide without one but i try to avoid busy places if i can.

 

[Lazuli]

I love my float. When a boat is heading my way I can grab one end of the safety sausage and wave it about like Mallet's Mallet until they get the message and change course. Found an Aerobee Sprint last time I was in, just clipped it to the float and got on with the spearing. Very handy. I never go in without it really. Its a habit I retained from snorkelling and freediving before I started spearfishing.

Each to their own though.

 

[badlander]

Well, drove all the way down the Lizard and located this new spot.Parked up, walked down some lanes.Down some paths, finally down some ropes and discovered.......three spearo's! That's about the number i normally see in a year.
Went in anyway after a quick chat with one.Vis was alright at about 5m but murky enough to be pretty sketched out knowing there's a few guys around.Great terrain at this spot and it has huge potential.Would have been even better if there was anything to shoot.There were some pretty hefty wrasse.....one of which nearly got it as my wrasse curiosity is getting the better of me, and some average sized pollock.No bass though. Second dive today that felt like every drop was going to draw in something special but....no.

Ah well, early days still.

 

[Gaz D]

Gaz,

I used a drop weight although I prefer to use a karibiner to attach to my belt as sometimes the weight slips out. The one I use does not anchot as such, it tends to just hold the weight in a position but can move around slightly - Dave Spearo does them in yellow.

Stay Safe

Diver9

Yeah, that's the one I use too (although I have seen them in the shape of a little four-prong anchor).

Some of the places I've been diving recently have been so boat busy that I'm considering dragging a bouncy castle around behind me in the future!

 

[Lazuli]

Well, drove all the way down the Lizard and located this new spot.Parked up, walked down some lanes.Down some paths, finally down some ropes and discovered.......three spearo's! That's about the number i normally see in a year.

Saw 5 yesterday. Must be the holiday or something. Its a shame about the vis.

Gaz, I've been using a grapnel fishing weight that I found at Kennack sands. Works a treat, just a bit spiky!

 

[REddie]

There were some pretty hefty wrasse.....one of which nearly got it as my wrasse curiosity is getting the better of me, and some average sized pollock.No bass though. Second dive today that felt like every drop was going to draw in something special but....no.

Ah well, early days still.

Prompted me to post the results of the Thai green curried wrasse i made the other week. This was the second time I've attempted this dish. This time I only just cooked the fish in the hope that the texture would improve. The end result was a reasonable meal which tasted ok DESPITE the wrasse. The fish meat holds no taste to speak of and the texture does not ressemble anything like bass, mullet or even pollock. I am now 100% convinced that they look better on the reef than on my plate.

Some people do take them from time to time and the nutritional value is probably ok, but if you intend to try one make sure it's a big boy because you do loose a lot when filleting.

 

[podge]

Foxfish does a mean cold smoked Wrasse, on the first Guernsey summer fish in he had Bass, Mullet and Wrasse on a plate and the Wrasse was by far the best followed by the Mullet with the lowly Bass coming in last place.
If he were to sell that smoked Wrasse he’d make a fortune. (well he would from me anyway)

 

[Lazuli]

Thai Green curry is my favourite for Pollock. If you make it using a green curry paste, coconut milk, fish sauce, a couple of fresh chillies, a spoonful of "Palm Sugar", prawns and Pak choi, it pretty much replicates what you get in a restaurant (give or take the addition of ginger etc). If you lay the fillets on the top at the last minute they stay nice and intact.

Cold smoked wrasse sounds interesting Podge. Im trying to picture it. Was it like a tough strip of jerky (rofl), or more like tender fillets??

 

[podge]

Cold smoked wrasse sounds interesting Podge. Im trying to picture it. Was it like a tough strip of jerky (rofl), or more like tender fillets??

Foxfish did it thinly sliced, and it was soft and tender with a sweet taste and a very slight twang of smokiness.
Delicious

 

[gutshot]

Just a few questions that might keep you busy answering while recovering: How's it all feeling? Did you get both ears done? What was the procedure? Was it in Treliske?


Speedy recovery

The original plan was to drill it out but the main consultant said he was going to use the hammer and chisel method. When they drill it destroys all the surrounding skin as well as the bone growth so healing takes much longer. With the hammer and chisel they only hit the area needed, so less damage to the surrounding area. As mentioned before, if they drilled it i was looking at being out for 10-12 weeks, but now they chiselled their way thru i am only out for about 6 weeks. They start off with either a cut thru the back of the ear and then they fold the ear forward to get to the ear canal or, as i had done, they cut thru the skin at the front of the ear so they can pull it apart to get in. This needs a single stitch.

Yes, it was at Trelisk but this is the second time i have had it done. The first time was private, at the Duchy, as i had health care thru my work at the time but it was the same guy doing the operation. I had it done Fri lunch time and it still hurts. Not really intense, but the sort of nagging toothache pain which drives you potty. I am still on the pain killers but easing off them now. The main pain now comes when my 2 year old sticks his finger in my ear like he did this morning! Oh, and the other nagging pain comes from my wife nagging about the small bloody patch which i leave on the pillow each night.

She will be home soon so i'd best get back to the sofa so i can see how much longer i can milk all this TLC, rofl

Happy spearing guys,

 

[Padaxes]

I feel your pain Gutshot, just been to the docs, my surgical wound is infected yay, course of antibiotics and another 3 weeks minimum out of the water

 

[gutshot]

Ouch, at this rate i will be back in the water before you!! Hope it's not too bad.

 

[podge]

With all you Cornish blokes lead up or recovering from broken bits or surgery I reckon it would be a good time for an invasion from the Dorset Mafia.
A big get well soon from up here to all you under the weather chaps down there.
Best to you all
Paul

 

[diver9]

I agree......I am off to Durdle Door in 2 weeks for a weekend as my boys want to go fossil hunting - not enough time this time to take the spearing gear although I will be checking it out from the shore!!!!

Sorry, not to do with spearing - but which is the easiest place to take the kids fossil hunting in terms of access, distance and parking? I used to go to Charmouth.

Cheers

Rich - Diver9

Stay Safe

 

[Pav]

Damn those ear ops make you feel ill reading about them.

After my wobble last week I am planning to go away in the Van along the coast. I have avoided the trip to Liverpool (I think).

Would like some ideas please if you can help. I want a chilled out time as this is a therapy trip. Campsite near the shore line!! If I could walk from campsite to the sea that would be good. May do a bit of night fishing! , or just spend a lazy day with a couple of spears during the day. Anywhere from Poole to LandsEnd! I have often considered the lizard?? Campsite can be farmers field with toilet block or proper job. I may do a night at 2 different locations for some variety.

local pub a bonus! , but to be honest location is most important.
Not checked the tides or forcast yet, but hoping the south coast may offer some options.

Cheers.

 

[SurfnSpear]

Treago Farm Holidays is in a nice location..

 

[redvanrob]

Just got back from a bass-less spear but did come across this 2lb 3oz flounder in 6 ft of water. Also played with a cuttlefish which tried to pretend it was a sandy rock till i prodded the fella and he shot off in a black cloud. Not a bad session but come on bass, the shoals of bait are everywhere...

Thanks for all the info Gutshot, more knowledge of the procedures and after-effects are always helpful. I'm sure my doc is on the verge and getting me under the knife. What I didn't realise was the op can be done privately - I might try and get it done next January perhaps.

 

[Old Man Dave]

That actually looks like a flounder and a nice one too. You want to enter it in the Hall of Fame?

Dave.

 

[diver9]

Pav,

I have PM'd you with some info.

Stay Safe

Diver9