Cornwall 2010

[Padaxes]

Hah and I get inspired by your Kayak reef adventures Gutshot (not to mention a little jealous!), I'm planning a reef trip next weekend as a direct result! Though I only have one I'm comfortable visiting at the moment (the others have angry looking seals or insane currents) , I guess I need to purchase some nautical charts to locate more - that a good bet ?

I'd be much happier about my night dives if they were netting some results but my luck seems just as bad at night at the moment! I am quite pleased about the approaching dark though, anticipation of after work night dives, thats offset of course by the though of another long barren winter!

 

[gutshot]

Hah and I get inspired by your Kayak reef adventures Gutshot (not to mention a little jealous!), I'm planning a reef trip next weekend as a direct result! Though I only have one I'm comfortable visiting at the moment (the others have angry looking seals or insane currents) , I guess I need to purchase some nautical charts to locate more - that a good bet ?

I'd be much happier about my night dives if they were netting some results but my luck seems just as bad at night at the moment! I am quite pleased about the approaching dark though, anticipation of after work night dives, thats offset of course by the though of another long barren winter!

The charts are good. They help pass the cold winter evenings. Mind you, i plotted one which should have been 2.5m LAT but the reality was 7-8m shallowest point last fri. Good fish but you have to be carefull with the charts and a good fishfinder is essential to be sure you are on the reef if it doesn't break the surface. Some of the reefs i dive are, as mentioned, well below the surface down to 8m.

 

[sj257]

Daft question of the month here.

Has anyone found a way of luring small fish into a trap while diving?

I've seen loads of small fish that would go great in the pond, like bream, but obviousely the spear isn't a good method for that intended use. Wondering if something like a baited prawn trap might work having seen something similar used to catch pin fish for bait in Florida.

I'm also trying to work out whether I should be saving for a 5mm or 7mm spearo suit? Looking for an improvement over my 6,5,3mm windsurfing suit that's blind stiched with a shoulder dry zip. I get pretty cold in that even now after a couple of hours.

Another consideration is that I need to be able to get it on and off on my own if that's an issue with some suits.

sj

 

[Padaxes]

I use a 5mm all year round day or night. My longest dives in the summer are up to 6 hours day / 3 hours night, winter 2 hours day 1 hour night (but there bugger all fish so theres no point anyway!).

 

[sj257]

I use a 5mm all year round day or night. My longest dives in the summer are up to 6 hours day / 3 hours night, winter 2 hours day 1 hour night (but there bugger all fish so theres no point anyway!).

Thanks. I do get the impression the spearo suits just work better and don't neccessarily need to be thicker to perform. Added bonus being they must be more comfortable/fleible too. Things have probably come on a long way since my suit was made about 18 years ago.

Netting has been cancelled tonight to time to get in the water. Will probably head in somewhere around Meva way.

sj

 

[spearflap]

i was going to report about the weekend but gutshot got there before me, i get a bit slack , any fun day and good diving ,cheers speardog and gutshot.
ps smug is the new look for this summer.....

 

[speardog]

:head:headseen plenty of bass but still not fired my gun yet:vangry still time will only perfect me roflrofl thanks for the dive guys and enjoy the bass

 

[redvanrob]

Roseland very murky today...

 

[sj257]

Went in after work yesterday but vis was awful. Couldn't see past the end of my spear (750). Finned out a bit hoping it might clear but gave up in the end and swam in. Jumped in the motor (took fins and mask off first of course) and headed to another spot and found slightly better vis and a 2lb bass that's now in the fridge for tonights diner.

sj

 

[bobdonny]

well done on your first bass... sounds a bit on the small size tho... legal size?

 

[sj257]

Thanks (although strictly my second). Comfortably legal at over 40cm. I'm guessing at the weight as I'm not that fussed as there's two decent fillets on it whatever it's weight.

I must say I do struggle to get them to come close enough to get the tape measure along them before I shoot them though. :head

I find it a lot harder to size the fish up under water. Are there any clever tricks to this that I'm missing? I'm confident I'll know when I'm looking at a 3lb plus fish, but when you come back closer to legal it's pretty tricky to spot what's under or over. I'd say that fish probably looked clearer of the minimum than it is.

At the moment I'm employing a confidence buffer, i.e. only shooting something that looks confidently clear of minimum, but don't want to be leaving fish that would make a good meal if I don't need to.

sj

 

[bobdonny]

Thanks (although strictly my second). Comfortably legal at over 40cm. I'm guessing at the weight as I'm not that fussed as there's two decent fillets on it whatever it's weight.

I must say I do struggle to get them to come close enough to get the tape measure along them before I shoot them though. :head

I find it a lot harder to size the fish up under water. Are there any clever tricks to this that I'm missing? I'm confident I'll know when I'm looking at a 3lb plus fish, but when you come back closer to legal it's pretty tricky to spot what's under or over. I'd say that fish probably looked clearer of the minimum than it is.

At the moment I'm employing a confidence buffer, i.e. only shooting something that looks confidently clear of minimum, but don't want to be leaving fish that would make a good meal if I don't need to.

sj

That sounds perfect so, enjoy!

Once you get over the thrill of the first few kills you start to set a higher standard. I know I cant judge 40cm (same size here in Ireland) so I try to only shoot things around the 4+lb and over 50cm that gives me such a high margin I'm unlikely to shoot anything small and illegal.
Its taken very seriously in Ireland and we have a 2 bag limit so its better not to waste shots on small fish or you could go home with 2 schoolies and then see a monster you cant legally shoot!

Further people (and fishermen) are wary of spearfishermen and I don't want to give them any cause for concern.

Incidentally, I use the same standard (around 4lb+ and 50cm) on most of the fish I see and shoot so it helps to gauge the size when I do spot a bass.

If in any doubt at all leave it swim away... its only a child after all

 

[gutshot]

In cornwall the local bylaws state the min landing size for bass at 37.5cm. That's as of 2009. It is worth bearing in mind that only bass over the length of 40-42cm would have reached spawning size so it is always better to aim for something no less than the 40-42cm. It is also worth noting that local fishing clubs set their min landing size to this for the same reason.

I tend to use my forearm to my finger tips as a rough idea of size. I have a length of 42cm from my inside elbow along to the end of my finger tips. If the fish looks about that length or longer then i shoot! Obviousley i don't hold my arm out to check before shooting but i gives you a rough idea. It does take experience though to fully get to grips with sizing a fish up! If in doubt don't shoot. It's beautiful sight watching them. Mouth watering but beautiful .

Good work sj257. Enjoy!

 

[sj257]

In cornwall the local bylaws state the min landing size for bass at 37.5cm. That's as of 2009. It is worth bearing in mind that only bass over the length of 40-42cm would have reached spawning size so it is always better to aim for something no less than the 40-42cm. It is also worth noting that local fishing clubs set their min landing size to this for the same reason.

I tend to use my forearm to my finger tips as a rough idea of size. I have a length of 42cm from my inside elbow along to the end of my finger tips. If the fish looks about that length or longer then i shoot! Obviousley i don't hold my arm out to check before shooting but i gives you a rough idea. It does take experience though to fully get to grips with sizing a fish up! If in doubt don't shoot. It's beautiful sight watching them. Mouth watering but beautiful .

Good work sj257. Enjoy!

Sounds like we've got the same size arms because that is the method that I use. Still tricky to know when they look about 40cm.

Unfortunately if I waited for 4lb plus fish, the only thing I'd of shot this year would be wrass. Roll on 4lb fish and I'll happily leave the 40-45's alone.

I shot that one by fining around gently until I saw a fish, then pausing and waiting for the fish to come to me and into range. Are the bigger fish equally curious and likely to come towards me (so I should be patient) or are they likely to keep clear and need to be followed?

sj

 

[devondave]

Well done SJ!.
Probably most UK spearos started with fish they would leave when more experienced, though some still shoot them.
Legal is legal, I just wish people would not post pictures of small fish on db, it causes trouble.
Judging fish size is not always easy, they appear one third bigger and 25% closer under water.
There are a few tips though :-
You can paint a mark or put tape on the gun from the mussel to what size fish you are after (helps as a reference.)
Some people look at a fish and think 'would I want to sit down to a meal of one fillet of that fish and will the girlfriend laugh at me' this actually works quite well.
The way I use is a bit more vague, 45cm is my minimum target size, fish of this size have a 'presence', a way of moving and behaving that's different from smaller fish, they grab your attention and set the trigger finger itching.
Just my take on things, once again, congratulations SJ, it's good to see such enthusiasm and perseverance payoff.

Dave.

 

[sj257]

Thanks Dave.

I like that 1/3 bigger and 25% closer rule. Dead handy and makes sense of what I've observed.

I also saw a Garfish yesterday that I didn't shoot as I wouldn't rush to eat it. First time I've seen one whilst in the water though.

It feels like the fish are coming in now, and I'm getting more of a feel for when in the tide the fish are about. Roll on some bigger bass.

sj

 

[gutshot]

and will the girlfriend laugh at me' this actually works quite well.
Dave.

roflroflrofl. Now thats a good one!

 

[Pav]

You can eat garfish buddy! I've only ever managed to spear 1! Also mackeral are suprisingly difficult to shoot. The shoal is very effective at distracting you each time you take aim. I know Bass is your mission but nothing more satisfying than a mixed stringer.

 

[Padaxes]

I know what you mean I shoot at shoals of mackerel when I see them with a "surely I must hit something!" mentality and have never got one yet

Worryingly Im developing a real taste for mullet, even to the point where I may prefer it to Bass. Filleted and fired or BBQ`d it's really good. Course that might just be the lack of bass.....

 

[tribs]

Thanks (although strictly my second). Comfortably legal at over 40cm. I'm guessing at the weight as I'm not that fussed as there's two decent fillets on it whatever it's weight.

I must say I do struggle to get them to come close enough to get the tape measure along them before I shoot them though. :head

I find it a lot harder to size the fish up under water. Are there any clever tricks to this that I'm missing? I'm confident I'll know when I'm looking at a 3lb plus fish, but when you come back closer to legal it's pretty tricky to spot what's under or over. I'd say that fish probably looked clearer of the minimum than it is.

At the moment I'm employing a confidence buffer, i.e. only shooting something that looks confidently clear of minimum, but don't want to be leaving fish that would make a good meal if I don't need to.

sj

Easiest rule ever - If in doubt....don't! If when you see a fish and you have any second thoughts, it a "NO" all the way!!!!

When you see a decent fish you won't have to think because in your brain you'll already be eating it in a lightly salted butter sauce!:inlove

M2PW

Tribs
out