Cornwall 2011

[Pnut]

Been ages since I posted anything up here and thought it was about time.

Went out to a sheltered spot south of Falmouth this evening. Visibility was increasing towards the more sheltered area, maybe 4m at best. Probably the most exciting point of the dive was coming across what must be the largest spider crab I've ever seen. I went down to have a look at him, wanted to pick him up, but found that my hand wasn't anywhere big enough to span the main body. Figured that if I need two hands to pick him up, he's sure as hell not going to fit in any of my pans so just admired the beast for a bit and let him be.

Then, as is always the way just after unloading the gun etc., maybe 5m off the beach I found myself surrounded by bass. Was quite relieved though to find that they were all tiny so no wasted chances. Had a look around for bigger bass amongst the small ones but didn't see any.

Is it common for bass to be this close to the beach? I've always concentrated on mixed ground/string weed and never even bothered looking for anything but flatties on large sandy flats. Have I been doing something wrong?

 

[Sebaldo]

I went back in this evening, still some plankton but better visibility (about 3m). Caught my first pollock of the year. A lot of life over there, some large wrasse and a lot of small fishes, quite promising for later on...

 

[Goingtothecoast]

Just a quick video to show how Ive been catching razorfish, basically I wedge the mouth of the razor against the side of its hole with my spear and quickly grab it with my other hand, I cant take all the credit for teaching this method as it was one of Trelawney's old posts that I got the idea from.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGPb_3oF-S0"]www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGPb_3oF-S0[/ame][/youtube]

 

[Broseidon]

That's amazing - BUT - how the hell did you know it was there!?!

 

[foxfish]

You can see what looks like two shiny silvers eyes looking out of the sand or gravel, in fact you see them in the vid!

 

[Goingtothecoast]

That's amazing - BUT - how the hell did you know it was there!?!

Yep what foxfish said plus there is loads in that particular area so the chances of one being in front of me when I dived down was quite high

 

[Broseidon]

You can see what looks like two shiny silvers eyes looking out of the sand or gravel, in fact you see them in the vid!

Yep what foxfish said plus there is loads in that particular area so the chances of one being in front of me when I dived down was quite high

That's really interesting - will keep an eye out!

Apart from the eyes, are there any other tell-tale signs they are there? Are there any specific areas they like to inhabit?

 

[scottwilson]

Are there any specific areas they like to inhabit?

Sand





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[Broseidon]

Sand

Ummm.. are you sure about that mate?

Don't be getting all mad because you can't spot them hiding in the kelp!

 

[Goingtothecoast]

Ummm.. are you sure about that mate?

Don't be getting all mad because you can't spot them hiding in the kelp!

roflroflroflrofl

 

[scottwilson]

roflroflroflroflrofl Nice skills Bro, Nice skills rep on its way

 

[venturesports]

Sand





.

Rotfl



Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

 

[fearthespear]

Ummm.. are you sure about that mate?

Don't be getting all mad because you can't spot them hiding in the kelp!

Beauty!!!
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[REddie]

Howdee Fellas.

Been off the plot for quite a while cos of work but am attempting to get dive fit again ready for the summer - static apnea tables have been helping a lot recently.

Just got back from a fantastic 3 hour session on the south coast. Vis was fantastic!

I was a bit concerned about the bloom and the affect that recent swinging winds would have had but vis ranged from 6 - 10m. Plenty going on but no decent sized round fish in shore so settled for 4 flounder and a daddy cock crab. I haven't weighed the crab yet but I could only just pick it up with one hand. Saw plenty of mullet and small bass schooling but was surprised not to find bigger fish around at HT.

During the dive I came across a spider crab net which was laid along the bottom by the edge of a reef for about 150m. There were about 25 very large cock crabs tangled in it - a bit disturbing really. I've never seen one before; anyone know if they are legal? It was buoyed at both ends just like a pot line so you would never know what it was from the surface.

Eddie

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[BENOK13]

that sounds pretty dangorous to me. and a bit wrong
so the bloom is passed then ive not been in yet trying to get my fitness up :blackeye

 

[foxfish]

Probably just a standard mono gill net, legal and very common!

Multi strand mono crab nets were once pretty common too, they were used to snare crayfish but I haven't heard of any being used for a long time (probably since the decline of crayfish in fact)

 

[REddie]

Cheers guys.

The net was definitely purely for spider crabs as the mesh was about 6" square and actually not that dangerous to divers being only 3' off the seabed. Just didn't feel right watching so many crabs being trapped in a one-er as they march up from the deeps up on to the reef.
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[foxfish]

Standard gill net it 5'' x 5'' x 5' x 150'......you can buy 4'' 5'' or 6''square mesh.
Mono gill nets will catch lot of different prey & that is one of the controversial issues about them.
Basic net cost about £50 - 70 but you can get replacement mesh only, for about £20
Look on Ebay....

 

[tonyeynon]

Hey guys,

Does anyone know the size limits for lobster and crab in the UK? Cornwall specifically if it makes a difference. I'm having real difficulty finding this info :-/

 

[Crispin]

Hey guys,

Does anyone know the size limits for lobster and crab in the UK? Cornwall specifically if it makes a difference. I'm having real difficulty finding this info :-/

http://www.helfordmarineconservation.co.uk/downloads/minimum-size-guide.pdf