Dive buddy south west

[Rossi01]

Looking for a dive buddy, I have decided to take up spear fishing and for the last couple of months been hitting books, accumulating gear and training.

I'm looking initially for someone who doesn't mind showing me the ropes, future dive buddy's and hopefully some like minded friends.

I have a boat that can be used between April and when I decide to take it out of the water for the winter, this will be moored in Teignmouth.
Also I can stay in a friends house in Anglsea and pretty much willing to drive to most parts of south west and south Wales for a bit of spear fishing.

In return I offer a good craic, some banter and maybe even a few beers.

Should also point out that I currently live in Gloucestershire so anybody who would like to lift share to and from are more than welcome also

Yours in sport
Steve

 

[John86]

Hi Steve, I was in the same boat this time last year!
I found most of the guys didn't come out of the woodwork till Aprilish! I think they hibernate....
There's few guys down your way, you've got Venture sports in Paignton and Exe club.I Started off going to a try dive day run by the Bsa, it was a good day out, met loads of friendly experienced spearoes who where willing to teach and learned a lot of tricks of the trade just in one day! I think they're running one this year... Hope this helps! John

 

[Rossi01]

Cheers John, I will look into that Sounds like a good starting point.

 

[John86]

Cheers John, I will look into that Sounds like a good starting point.

Cheers John, I will look into that Sounds like a good starting point.[/QUOTE

Cheers John, I will look into that Sounds like a good starting point.

Cheers John, I will look into that Sounds like a good starting point.

the try dive is being held on june19th they will put venue on there fb page closer to the time...

 

[Rossi01]

Thanks John, I will keep my eyes peeled, I'm sure to have got wet a few times before then .

If you fancy a dip anytime, give me a shout, being self employed gives me the oppertunity to load up the van and disappear at the drop of a hat or on the reports of good vis

Cheers

Steve

 

[John86]

Thanks John, I will keep my eyes peeled, I'm sure to have got wet a few times before then .

If you fancy a dip anytime, give me a shout, being self employed gives me the oppertunity to load up the van and disappear at the drop of a hat or on the reports of good vis

Cheers

Steve

Yeah I'll give u a shout if im heading down your way, im up in North Devon but visit my dad in exmouth and tend to go on a lot of random missions all over the place!

 

[Rossi01]

Cool, I live in Gloucester, just the boat is moored in Teignmouth, I also have a place I can stay in Teignmouth, I'm happy to drive anywhere for a day out

 

[Adder]

Out of interest Ross, have you ever tried spearfishing in teignmouth? I just wondered if you have any recommendations because it's early days for me and I'm only 5mins away from teignmouth. I'd offer to be someone's buddy but then again I'm only 15 and would probably just be a liability. Nevertheless, if you have made a successful catch anywhere if you could tell me what time of year and when in the day it would be much appreciated.

 

[scrumpy]

Best bit of advice I can give you is to check old forum debates to gain a better knowledge. Also learn what wind / tides do that affect diving and viz.

The only way to gain the experience is to dive and record it, i.e. wind, sea state, good, bad and build a picture of what conditions suit your particular dive site. Example easterly winds knocks out Exmouth to Start Point, where as Thurlestone side will be calm and possibly hold viz, if it’s been settled that side and vice versa. Prolonged wet weather will result in runoff from the land and cause any area around estuaries to become undivable with the silt etc travelling down on the outgoing tide. Also learn how the outgoing/incoming tide affects dives near to estuaries. I’d advise sitting down at the point car park at Teignmouth and watch the movement and sheer volume of water coming in and out and how you do not want to be anywhere near it. I’ve dived the mouth of the Teign a fair few times and you only have an hour or two window before the current will be too great. Again personal experience one minute I was off the headland by the Ness, next thing I’m washed up on back beach. Couple years ago a strong fit guy lost his life there due to the under current, so never underestimate it. If you are caught in it, go with it and save your energy until there is a chance to kick yourself free from the current.

Study Google maps i.e. South Devon and the knowledge from previous dives to gain an understanding of how the wind etc can alter conditions. You will slowly learn where you can and can’t dive. Also by making mistakes and having poor dives due to conditions, is a quick way to learn not to repeat the mistake. I’ve done this many times when starting out. Also check out the web cams for conditions, search and store them in your favourites. Do this even when you’re not diving through the bad weather or winter months to gain that understanding.

There isn’t one area that will produce fish, there are better areas but again look on Google maps, rocky areas will throw up areas for fish/you to hide. Open sandy areas can be quieter but you may find flat fish and fish on the move. Areas around estuaries will have fish coming in and out with the tide, around our way (teignmouth) there is the chance of anything really mullet flounder bass, towards the south hams there is the better chance of rays, plaice etc.

PM me if you want to ask anything else, pretty clued up on Teignmouth / Dawlish and South Devon in general.

I am Billy no mates so usually dive alone, I’m content in the fact that if I get in the poop, then so be it.

Cheers

Lee

 

[Adder]

Best bit of advice I can give you is to check old forum debates to gain a better knowledge. Also learn what wind / tides do that affect diving and viz.

The only way to gain the experience is to dive and record it, i.e. wind, sea state, good, bad and build a picture of what conditions suit your particular dive site. Example easterly winds knocks out Exmouth to Start Point, where as Thurlestone side will be calm and possibly hold viz, if it’s been settled that side and vice versa. Prolonged wet weather will result in runoff from the land and cause any area around estuaries to become undivable with the silt etc travelling down on the outgoing tide. Also learn how the outgoing/incoming tide affects dives near to estuaries. I’d advise sitting down at the point car park at Teignmouth and watch the movement and sheer volume of water coming in and out and how you do not want to be anywhere near it. I’ve dived the mouth of the Teign a fair few times and you only have an hour or two window before the current will be too great. Again personal experience one minute I was off the headland by the Ness, next thing I’m washed up on back beach. Couple years ago a strong fit guy lost his life there due to the under current, so never underestimate it. If you are caught in it, go with it and save your energy until there is a chance to kick yourself free from the current.

Study Google maps i.e. South Devon and the knowledge from previous dives to gain an understanding of how the wind etc can alter conditions. You will slowly learn where you can and can’t dive. Also by making mistakes and having poor dives due to conditions, is a quick way to learn not to repeat the mistake. I’ve done this many times when starting out. Also check out the web cams for conditions, search and store them in your favourites. Do this even when you’re not diving through the bad weather or winter months to gain that understanding.

There isn’t one area that will produce fish, there are better areas but again look on Google maps, rocky areas will throw up areas for fish/you to hide. Open sandy areas can be quieter but you may find flat fish and fish on the move. Areas around estuaries will have fish coming in and out with the tide, around our way (teignmouth) there is the chance of anything really mullet flounder bass, towards the south hams there is the better chance of rays, plaice etc.

PM me if you want to ask anything else, pretty clued up on Teignmouth / Dawlish and South Devon in general.

I am Billy no mates so usually dive alone, I’m content in the fact that if I get in the poop, then so be it.

Cheers

Lee

Hi, I've been looking for places to dive near teignmouth torquay as I am situated in rocombe (near ridge road and a 2 minute drive from Barton). It's very helpful and looking at maps and videos online meadfoot has come up a few times. However, I am still a little unsure and as you are "clued up" I wondered if you recommend anywhere I particular where you have dived and where you from experience think the visibility is best. I know that you have already wrote a hefty message and it's much appreciated and if you could give some specific examples I would be very grateful.

 

[scrumpy]

If your fairly new to all this? Keep it safe.

Teignmouth pier can throw up mullet and bass but otherwise is pretty quiet but a good learning site as there is a lot to hold onto. Sometimes the bass are in very close 6 feet or less. HIGH TIDE
Ness beach is strangely quiet and very unpredictable with the viz but will have schoolies around the rocks near to shore, good chance to get in amongst the rocks. Both need W or gentle SW. 2 hours either side of high or low then it's to dangerous.
Maidencombe is another place that is usually quiet the fish seem to swim headland to headland and don't come in along the beach, saying that the old big bass has been taken close in.
W or SW. HIDE TIDE
Watcombe can be good for viz as it is fairly sheltered but a long walk down even longer back up. Watcombe caves to the left of the beach hold big spiders late spring. W or SW ANY TIDE
Babacombe is a good dive again for viz but usually fairly quiet and you get lots of scuba down there so awkward. Best place for cuttlefish.
W or SW HIGH TIDE
Anstey cove good viz but quiet. W or SW ANY TIDE
Meadfoot good learning. W or SW HIGH TIDE
Beacon cove fairly quiet W or SW HIGH TIDE
All these will throw up bass mullet and the odd flattie, odd crab or lobbie if you're lucky.

Brixham and paignton can hold viz when torquay, teignmouth are blown out. HIGH or LOW

Dawlish warren, around Langstone rocks W or SW HIGH TIDE
Dawlish town along beach W or SW HIGH OR LOW.


Further a field blackpool sands, beesands, W or SW HIGH or LOW
salcombe, thurlestone, bigbury E OR SE, gentle SW HIGH or LOW
All these will give you a chance of bass mullet John Dory red mullet better flatties I.e plaice sole thornback Rays.

If there is a certain area not mentioned give me a shout

Lee

 

[Adder]

If your fairly new to all this? Keep it safe.

Teignmouth pier can throw up mullet and bass but otherwise is pretty quiet but a good learning site as there is a lot to hold onto. Sometimes the bass are in very close 6 feet or less. HIGH TIDE
Ness beach is strangely quiet and very unpredictable with the viz but will have schoolies around the rocks near to shore, good chance to get in amongst the rocks. Both need W or gentle SW. 2 hours either side of high or low then it's to dangerous.
Maidencombe is another place that is usually quiet the fish seem to swim headland to headland and don't come in along the beach, saying that the old big bass has been taken close in.
W or SW. HIDE TIDE
Watcombe can be good for viz as it is fairly sheltered but a long walk down even longer back up. Watcombe caves to the left of the beach hold big spiders late spring. W or SW ANY TIDE
Babacombe is a good dive again for viz but usually fairly quiet and you get lots of scuba down there so awkward. Best place for cuttlefish.
W or SW HIGH TIDE
Anstey cove good viz but quiet. W or SW ANY TIDE
Meadfoot good learning. W or SW HIGH TIDE
Beacon cove fairly quiet W or SW HIGH TIDE
All these will throw up bass mullet and the odd flattie, odd crab or lobbie if you're lucky.

Brixham and paignton can hold viz when torquay, teignmouth are blown out. HIGH or LOW

Dawlish warren, around Langstone rocks W or SW HIGH TIDE
Dawlish town along beach W or SW HIGH OR LOW.


Further a field blackpool sands, beesands, W or SW HIGH or LOW
salcombe, thurlestone, bigbury E OR SE, gentle SW HIGH or LOW
All these will give you a chance of bass mullet John Dory red mullet better flatties I.e plaice sole thornback Rays.

If there is a certain area not mentioned give me a shout

Lee

Hi lee, thanks so much for giving me all the details on pretty much the whole of the south Devon coastline! I find this so helpful and very generous of you as without this, I would have no idea where to spearfish, let alone when and in what conditions. It's not like you can search spearfishing spots torquay!(I only no because I tried) Of course, I will stay safe as I train with someone else who is only a month older than me and recently turned 16. I shall try as many of these spots ASAP and once again much appreciated.

Tom

 

[Adder]

*i only know-not "no"

 

[scrumpy]

No worries mate. Just ask if you need anything else. Sometimes you get lucky but the longer breath holds and techniques will obviously bring home the fish. If you haven't looked already type in spearfishing uk into you tube, watch people like Kevin daly and spearo shiny experienced guys who got me hooked
Especially kevin dalys collateral damage - 10lb bass and bass execution amazing videos with stunning fish and breath hold.
Shiny has some great videos spearfishing plaice.
Sorry not a tech geek to provide links.

Lee

 

[Adder]

No worries mate. Just ask if you need anything else. Sometimes you get lucky but the longer breath holds and techniques will obviously bring home the fish. If you haven't looked already type in spearfishing uk into you tube, watch people like Kevin daly and spearo shiny experienced guys who got me hooked
Especially kevin dalys collateral damage - 10lb bass and bass execution amazing videos with stunning fish and breath hold.
Shiny has some great videos spearfishing plaice.
Sorry not a tech geek to provide links.

Lee

I'm awful with tech too! I looked up some of the videos and they look really cool. My longest dive time is only a bit more than a minute at approx 8m deep. I've gone down to 15m and got a static of nearly 4 min but am just trying to put the two together to increase my chance of a good catch. As it's Easter holidays I'm tempted to try watcombe as soon as there is dry weather. However I'm doing a four day hike in the Brecons which will take up the rest of my holiday so I'll have to wait a bit .

 

[Santo sullivan]

Hi mate,

I live in Stroud I've moved over from Australia and I'm in the process of getting my dive gear sent over. I'd be keen to go do some spear fishing on weekends. Do you go scuba diving at all? At home I used to go scallop diving and lobster diving can you do that over here any where. I e done a lot of diving at home but not over here

 

[Ollie88888888]

Looking for a dive buddy for a spot of spearfishing. Been spearing for a few years. Always dived by myself though. Anyone interested in the Devon area let me know

 

[Santo sullivan]

Scuba diving or free diving?

 

[Ollie88888888]

Scuba diving or free diving?

Spearfishing/free diving. No tanks here!