Cornwall Spearfishing 2006

[Huw]

Hi guys.

Page 13 of August 22nd's edition of the Daily Mail, has an interesting follow up of the looe shark diving trips if anyone is interested.

Pretty 'newspapered up' but if you get past that then, you can get the picture. I mainly enjoyed a few facts that it contained including the origin of the work Mako for the Mako shark... apparently it derives from the Maori for 'Maneater'!

Also gave some brief details on uk sightings of various shark species. if anyone is interested and doesnt have a copy/hasnt already read it then i will post more.

Just letting you know

Huw

 

[podge]

Hi guys.

Page 13 of August 22nd's edition of the Daily Mail, has an interesting follow up of the looe shark diving trips if anyone is interested.

Pretty 'newspapered up' but if you get past that then, you can get the picture. I mainly enjoyed a few facts that it contained including the origin of the work Mako for the Mako shark... apparently it derives from the Maori for 'Maneater'!

Also gave some brief details on uk sightings of various shark species. if anyone is interested and doesnt have a copy/hasnt already read it then i will post more.

Just letting you know


Huw if you could post a bit more I’d be grateful as the whole shark thing scares the S**T out of me.
And as I’m 6foot and the wrong side of 16 stone it takes a bit to scare me.

 

[spearheads]

me to im crazy abought sharks i always want to hear the latest sighting and reports.

 

[Huw]

Huw if you could post a bit more I’d be grateful as the whole shark thing scares the S**T out of me.
And as I’m 6foot and the wrong side of 16 stone it takes a bit to scare me.

rofl !!!

Well the report says...
"...Hysterical swimmers in bude claim to have spotted killer Mako sharks - a 15ft predator which can swim at 60mph, whose name derives from the Maori for 'maneater' and whose long teeth protrude unappealingly from its mouth.

Last summer a surfer near Penzance claimed he came within 6ft of a deadly bull shark and in May angler Peter Scott landed a 9ft long 550lb porbeagle shark in Cornish waters. Experts claim that, as ever, it's all down to global warning...

If, however we're 'really, really lucky' - and it would be as if all Richards [ The host of the charter trips] 58 Christmases and birthdays came at once - we might spot a great white. Richard is convinced that at least 5 of the hundreds of recent unconfirmed sightings of the great white are genuine. 'We've got everything they need - seals, water temperature, the right sorty of coast line - to thrive. ' My own personal conviction is that they're here. But for me thats the best bit about this job - never knowing exactly what will come up to the boat.'

'The problem with white sharks is that their mode of attack is a big disabling bite. Usually though. it's just a "mouthing". Sharks don't have hands so they feel things with their mouths. They gently explore us - it's just that they do it with 450 razor-sharp teeth.'

'However its very, very rare. You're more likely to be killed by a runaway pram than eaten by a shark.' Hes got a point. Worldwide there are fewer than 100 shark attacks every year and just a handful of deaths. Against that, 1600 people are bitten by other people in New Yorkevery year, 150 die from coconuts falling on their head and more people are killed by dogs in the U.s. each year than have been killed by great whites in 100years."


Was quite an interesting report in the whole, but like i said was quite glamoured up. However i think we should all remember some of Daves tips form the thread on a shark sighting in june/july where he said "it is a good idea to half the size of all reported shark sizes"

Dont think we really have anything to worry about to be honest!

Happy Hunting guys,

Huw.

 

[Mr. X]

Those shark probabilities sound extremely speculative. I reckon the chance of a spearo being hit would be many times greater than that for a regular Joe (spearo: somebody who spends much longer than normal swimming in the sea & often much further out than normal, who dresses up in black rubber & so looks a bit like a seal and, perhaps, ties bleeding fish to their belt and who prefers to hang out around tasty fish...and whose relative clumsiness & noiseness in the water might resemble an injured animal).

By the way, I think Saturday might be starting to look promising -- if you are not sat in a huge line of traffic:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3732

 

[PeteyH]

Worldwide there are fewer than 100 shark attacks every year and just a handful of deaths. Against that, 1600 people are bitten by other people in New Yorkevery year, 150 die from coconuts falling on their head and more people are killed by dogs in the U.s. each year than have been killed by great whites in 100years

Ok I was getting scared by the statement until these facts were presented! I must say that I never thought a coconut was more dangerous than a GW SHARK!

Does anyone know the details of shark diving trips? It may be quite interesting to see what I've always been scared of!

spearo: somebody who spends much longer than normal swimming in the sea & often much further out than normal, who dresses up in black rubber & so looks a bit like a seal and, perhaps, ties bleeding fish to their belt and who prefers to hang out around tasty fish...and whose relative clumsiness & noiseness in the water might resemble an injured animal

Great definition of a Spearo there Mr. X!! rofl

 

[podge]

(spearo: somebody who spends much longer than normal swimming in the sea & often much further out than normal, who dresses up in black rubber & so looks a bit like a seal and, perhaps, ties bleeding fish to their belt and who prefers to hang out around tasty fish...and whose relative clumsiness & noiseness in the water might resemble an injured animal).


Mr.X
You’re the man, great description some of my mates only dive with me as they say I look just like a seal what with the slight forward waistline.

 

[Jez]

That's why I get nervy about diving in water where I can't see the bottom, even if its fishable. Your silhouette on the surface will be seen still, even more blurred, by whatever swims below. Then CHOMP!:crutch

 

[Huw]

Its put me more off going to New York than going spearing!

 

[Mr. X]

By the way, I think Saturday might be starting to look promising -- if you are not sat in a huge line of traffic:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3732

Looks like the wind picked up quite a bit in the weather forecast for Saturday. Will just have to look for some sheltered bays around the Lizard. Will not have internet so, will have to hang up a wind sock or some seaweed!

 

[Huw]

Looks like the wind picked up quite a bit in the weather forecast for Saturday. Will just have to look for some sheltered bays around the Lizard. Will not have internet so, will have to hang up a wind sock or some seaweed!

Thanks, Mr X,

The tides are also wonderful at the moment for evening spearing...

I think we will drop into a sheltered bay at around 7pm saturday. Will let you know how it goes.

Huw

 

[Pav]

Just got back (Friday) from Cornwall. North coast was ok. Bit of swell but clear enough at low tide. South coast (Marizion) was poor but workable.

 

[Mr. X]

Just getting ready to make the trip down. Had a quick check of weather - think we're just going to have to find sheltered spots to make the most of it. I am wondering about if Helford estuary/ria might provide shleter (or is it a restricted bass area?). Porthallow nearby looks familiar, did somebody post about spearing there (or getting attacked by fishermen)? Nearby watersports centre might not be a good thing. Dennis Head/St. Anthony in Meneage? (Pav, you're the estuary expert - worth a look?).

For fine days, Manacle point looks interesting. Anyway must go. See ya down there .

 

[foxfish]

:head So your telling me that Huw and I just ate a record fish for lunch!
happy Hunting!
Pete.

PeteyH I thought you might like to read this, I found it in our local paper.

 

[SurfnSpear]

Went out of Fowey today on a boat. Vis was about 6m. Had a nice mixed bag between us. I am making sure I pin the safety catch now as I had 2 consecutive instances of large bass off the end of my spear with no spear leaving the gun:head :head
Anyway, went on to nail 4 decent mullet (one weighed 6lb, 3 weighed 4lb) and a 2lb bass. Be perfect for a BBQ on Crantock Beach tomorrow as it's my kids 3rd birthday:friday

 

[Huw]

Went out of Fowey today on a boat. Vis was about 6m. Had a nice mixed bag between us. I am making sure I pin the safety catch now as I had 2 consecutive instances of large bass off the end of my spear with no spear leaving the gun:head :head
Anyway, went on to nail 4 decent mullet (one weighed 6lb, 3 weighed 4lb) and a 2lb bass. Be perfect for a BBQ on Crantock Beach tomorrow as it's my kids 3rd birthday:friday

Nice catch surf and spear!

PeteyH and i jumped in at the moth of fowey this evening, and exactly the same thing happened... i fired low at a bass, peteyH went for the shot, but had his saftey on and then had to rush the shot and missed too :head Anyway the 6lber (approx) dissapeared into the distance never to be seen again :head

Luckily for us, two other bass wernt so lucky.. i ended up with a nice 4lber and PeteyH had a nice one of 3lb.

a really nice evening!

PS i didnt know you headed this way surfandspear... next time, be sure to give us a message and wecould meet up. Where abouts did you go from fowey today... round to lantic, or the otherway over to the gribben?

Cheers,
Huw

 

[SurfnSpear]

Hi Huw, dived near the mouth, but then went over to Gribben. Not much doing though. Over at that little island, saw another spearo moored next to the island in a grey rib flying a divers flag and did not want to crowd him so went back towards the mouth as we had seen loads more action there that day.
Yes, I do stay in Newquay at the outlaws quite a bit so just a hop over the china clay really! Might catch up with you guys sometime.

Regards

 

[Huw]

Hi Huw, dived near the mouth, but then went over to Gribben. Not much doing though. Over at that little island, saw another spearo moored next to the island in a grey rib flying a divers flag and did not want to crowd him so went back towards the mouth as we had seen loads more action there that day.
Yes, I do stay in Newquay at the outlaws quite a bit so just a hop over the china clay really! Might catch up with you guys sometime.

Regards

Hi,

Sounds great! I will look forward to meeting up sometime... just send me a PM when you next think you will be coming over.

Happy hunting,
Huw.

 

[Mr. X]

Got back from the Lizard last night (awful traffic both ways). Excellent trip. Rained most nights but good weather most days (except Sat. when we had to leave). Managed to spear most days (except one day doing doctors visits & another playing in the surf). Saw 7 or 8 big silver/grey fish (bass/mullet/...), the longest almost as long as my speargun (maybe 60-80cm?) - had shots at all of them and missed:head (even had the safety on for my first bass shot...& I never use the darn safety:head).

The bag was v. modest: 2x 5+lb wrasse for the BBQ (early in the week had only seen a 3 non-Wrasse -- although they were all good size -- saw dozens of big wrasse) & we needed to eat. A smallish bass caught on a hand-line from the kayak (initially thought it was a mullet, as I chatted to an older spearo the day before who had one from the same area...on checking the web though, I think it more likely that we both got bass - whatever it was, tasted v. good). Got up at 5am yesterday, last morning, to spear the local beach for the first timeduh), turned out to be much better than I had expected, v. fishy. Got 2 pollock but saw maybe 10 large wrasse, and 2 good size mullet/bass. It rained while I was out but made no difference - you can only get so wet!

Details to follow...

 

[Mr. X]

The Lizard, summary

Details:

We stayed at the friendly Little Trevothian caravan park; grid ref 772 178. Under new ownership this year. Rodger & Anne lived opposite our very clean caravan & proved helpful (Rodger used to be a chef!) on a number of occasions. The site is small & friendly but well establish with good hedges for shelter & privacy (plenty of tent camping area too).

Originally we tried to get near Kennack Sands (so I could walk down for a pre-breakfast or post-dinner spearing session) but they were full. In hindsight though, I think Little Trevothian may have worked out better - as I only saw Wrasse & small pollock at Kennack (although a snorkeller said he saw a large mullet on the right hand side). - and it made me explore more areas.

A detailed (1:25,000) OS map is highly recommended to check the coast (a boat is necessary to reach much of the coast here) & navigate the various narrow roads & short cuts. [Map 103 Explorer Map, The Lizard, Falmouth & Helston].

We stayed mainly to the east coast for max. shelter, for diving viz & family kayaking.

Area Summary:

Coverack- local beach for Little Trevothian.
I only kayaked here at first - it seemed too sandy, or rod fished off the rocks; I was wrong, it offers great spear fishing & snorkelling too. Unusually well sheltered - so a good bet for diving & kayaking in most weather conditions (like a mill pond most days). Tidal, sandy & rocky beach; the outside of the harbour walls & old lifeboat slipway are surprisingly deep & fishy. Rod fishing is popular from the harbour walls & rocks around the head. Any state of the tide is good. Excellent kayaking. Kayaks can be taken down the shortest set of steps by the sandiest part of the beach (in front of the paper shop). In season, park in one of the 2 car parks just before you reach the sea (or small carpark at far end of village for evening rod fishing). Pollock, mullet, big wrasse & bass.

Kennack Sands - great family beach
Flat as a mill pond one day, a small wave another day, choppy another & full on surf on Friday (boogie boards sold out!). Probably the best family beach around. 2 shops, extremely easy access for kayaks as the car park is right next to the beach (we never did kayak there - many others did though). Saw seals one day. Wrasse, small pollock, mullet.

Lizard Point- no diving, 4 seals, pretty though.
Annes Famous Pasties at the Lizard are very tasty (as were the staff, come to think of it).

Porthkerris Cove- pricey, no spearing
This seems to be a commercial beach run for diving & fishing; I think prices were £2 parking, £1 per rod, £3 to dive, ... a long itemized list of charges & rules (inc. no shooting). I can imagine the thinking that went into it but it struck me as trulyghastly. I asked about spearing, they smiled and said "no spear fishing", I smiled and said "oh, goodbye then". We'd already passed the next venue, which was an altogether better proposition.

Porthoustock - the great secret
The gray slate beach is admittedly not the ideal family beach but I love this place. The OS Map is wrong, the quarry is in use -- when I went one evening to dive the high tide (low tide is just as good though) a big ship was tied up taking on slate gravel. This beach has a lottery funded toilet, honestly box parking donations, you park on the beach, so v. easy access for kayaks & diving. Left side of the beach is left clear for local fishermen. Scuba is popular here - the water is deep straight off the beach (20-30ft for the most part). Rightside on low tide, Manacle point, saw the 60-80cm fish (bass?) & two smaller but decent size bass; strong current for the last section - long fins highly recommended. Didn't see much else there, just a few wrasse (one only 10 foot from the waters edge). Left side on high tide, interesting rocks & ledges, saw dozens of huge wrasse, a small edible crab &, while hiding on top of a rock, a big bass swam right by (usual routine: we looked at each other waiting for the other to flinched, I straightened my arm as much as I dare - not fully able to aim, I pulled the trigger, he shot off like a rocket). Also found 4 golf balls.

Poldhu Cove - neat little W. coast surf beach (didn't stop or spear though)

Places we wanted to visit but didn't have time for: St. Anthony/Dennis Head, Porthallow Cove (did somebody say spearing was banned there?), Cadgwith (check out the north coast ariel images on multimap), Poltesco, Bass Point, Kyance Cove, the rocky headland Chynhalls Point (a mile walk from the Caravan site or by boat), & Church Coves (nr. Lizard or nr. Poldhu Cove), Housel Bay. For those with boats or willing to walk in: Carrick Luz, the Bees & Black Head on a south facing stretch of coast looked interesting but no doubt exposed. We had a quick look at Mullion Cove but heavy seas suggested staying on the East Coast (via the chocolate factory) - is just before the village (which is v. small); Polurrian Cove is just north.

A boat & lots of time would be the best way to explore the Lizard, we just scratched the surface.

[BTW The bass was caught on the 30 year old blue & white Edison eel.]

Re. Boats: somebody mentioned people often launch boats from St. Anthony. Coverack has a walled harbour but it is small & often full, & the slipway steep - you need the Harbour Master's permission and 3rd party insurance to launch there.