Cornwall 2011

[TomH]

Not posted on here for a while, been in the water pretty much every day after work though! Went for a night dive last night with Andy. We weren't expecting much as the tides weren't looking great for our usual spot so we went back to a place we haven't dived for quite a while. We got in, not really expecting to see much, but it was absolutely incredible! There definetely is something about night diving...

Within about 10mins we had seen countless cuttlefish and even a rather curious John Dory! There were loads of smelt zooming about and lots of tiny flatties in the sand as usual. After about 2hrs in the water we came home with 3 red mullet and an edible crab between us.

Also I would just like to point out the value in swimming up the beach in the shallows! Andy was walking (about 3ft of water) and I was swimming a few metres away, where I had my first sea trout encounter. Very bass-like in their behaviour, three zoomed up, checked me and dissappeared into the gloom, I just had time to get a good look at them and fire off a quick photo. Brilliant!

 

[podge]

Good luck Epic and Tom those John Dory are some funky fish aren’t they.

 

[TomH]

A few more...

 

[sj257]

Graet pictures.

I really must get in for another night dive.

sj

 

[Padaxes]

Had a lovely dive yesterday o the north coast, low tide stringweed action, mixed vis, finally saw loads of fish, took home a couple of Bass, nothing big but a relief after the season i've been having!

 

[badlander]

First night dive last night. Hooked up with my buddy at 2am and got suited and booted. We'd decided to take an inflatable to use and just row to our desired spots and although i was sceptical initially it was an ideal set up. Saw plenty of life about and we finished with lobster, crab and bass between us. Absolutely loved it though and i'm sure it won't be long until the next time.

 

[Pav]

Went in on the north coast yesterday. Spent a good 40mins swimming with 3 seals. Have the gopro mounted now so gun unloaded took some video for my daughter to see. It always suprises me that you can be surrounded by active seals and Bass can swim past you! Infact I saw more fish whilst with the seals than when I left to hunt. Took 1 Bass for the car park lady as she seemed very enthusiastic when she knew I was going fishing. I have never met anybody so overwhelmed to recieve a fish. Made my day!

On a word of caution - Beware of your kit! I know a few on here have suffered loss of kit. Yesterday I had my my rucksack taken which was empty except a pair of gloves (left high and dry on a rock outcrop). The only people around were couples and families. I was amazed that it hadn't been handed in / or left on a fence post. Times are a changing! Thankfully I had all my kit except my gloves with me including my gopro.

 

[Sebaldo]

Went out after work around Rosemullion area, about two hours before high tide, and it was teaming with life. Shot at a bass, and for once I am glad I missed it, as the line snapped ... this was the original setup and I am not quite sure how to to rig it now!
I can see a lot of different setup with bungees, monos etc... - any advice?

 

[foxfish]

You might be interested?
http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/91953-mini-fish.html#post855994

 

[badlander]

Another night dive last night. I'm beginning to appreciate the addictive qualities of hunting in the dark. We didn't have great hopes as the tides were against us but it's becoming apparent that even if you blank it's still time well spent. Saw a absolute wealth of species but nothing really large enough to warrant taking except from the many cuttlefish that seemed to litter the sandy floor so it'll be cuttlefish for lunch.

 

[badlander]

I use an Omer bungee like this one fixed to the muzzle. My shooting line is fluorescent yellow mono and attaches to the bungee clip with a crimped loop. This allows the line to be unattached so you can pull the line through the fish. The yellow mono helps matters if you drop your spear at this point!

 

[devondave]

July O.M.D. F.O.M poll is now open.
http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/91541-o-m-d-f-o-m-comp-july-2011-a.html

 

[Pav]

The previous 2 days on the North Coast were rewarded with 2 more Bass. The current exchange rate for cream teas is good !

Burnt myself out with a hike down to GH which was a bit dissapointing as only managed a Mullet, although met a tiny seal pup.

All changed now, winds have picked up. Took my 4yr old daughter out in the Yak and she caught her first pollock which went back. Water isn't looking as clear any more.

 

[sj257]

I have been given a pass to get out after work.

Currently planning to try somewhere new to the north of the camel estuary. Anticipating that with the lack of swell recently and the wind building from the south today a NW facing spot up there should be a good bet. Any thoughts or suggestions here or via pm greatfully recieved.

sj

 

[Pav]

Headed up towards falmouth today. Viz was a lot better than I expected after yesterdays wind / swell and rain! Had a bass and a mullet. Shed loads of bait fish.

 

[alix.leclerc]

Is anyone sailing down to the Isles of Scilly around the 10th of August and fancy taking along a hitchhiker?

 

[Misterdave]

That is an amazing vid on my second spear dive an inquisitive seal came rather close to me I didn't quite think of the implicatons of playing fetch with it until a friend shouts "it's not a puppy" haha EpicBE where are you in Cornwall? I am having trouble getting to grips with the long breaths but am rather new at this.

 

[watermandrew]

Got in at my favourite spot (read: only spot!) after work for 3 hours near falmouth, saw the usual pollack and a monster resident wrasse which must be close to 6lbs - very friendly chap. Also saw red mullet, grey mullet which were very skittish, a flounder going warp speed, garfish, a mega dustbin lid sized starfish, sandeels....and a smoothound! Absolute pleasure to follow around, completely undisturbed by my presence. Fired once and had a decent pollack shed the spear so came home empty handed.
Saw no bass today, only had one of 44cm from the spot in about 5 sessions - should i go somewhere else? The ground is mixed depths, sand, rock, kelp and stringweed with interesting terrain and gullies but disappointingly barren much of the time. Is it my poor novice skills or should I persist? Never seen another spearo so dont know if that is good or bad...
Great dive today despite lack of capture and poor viz though, what a sport!

 

[foxfish]

Sounds like a good spot but you might need to dive it at different states & size tides to find out the true potential.

String weed is the key to spearing bass but again you need to get the conditions just right to find the bass.

Bass love the string weed, very often when the tide is slack & the weed is only just covered or even lying on the surface, you can find them hanging almost motionless, almost like sleeping wrapped up in a blanket of protective weed or if there is more depth & tide you might find them mooching around for food. You wont find them there if the weed is being pushed over by the tide but they might be in the lee side of a reef waiting to ambush prey swimming through...
Sand is almost aways best fished over a low tide, a big spring tide is even better. You can finds flatfish in very shallow water when the tide is very low but find a comfortable diveing depth for you & search the area in a grid fashion.
Prod any suspicious lumps in the sand & you might discover a nice plaice or sole.

 

[watermandrew]

Encouraging and helpful, most constructive response ever thanks bud! Will have to get a go pro and share some footage of the ground