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Dorset 2016
- Thread starter Almostafish
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 90 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It's official, the Dorset thread is as dead as the Dorset waters!
Took a dive today, which was the first for 2 months. Went on the mid western Jurassic Coast, sheltered from the NE breeze of the last while. Was greeted by close to flat calm, and decent viz of 5m ++. Had a poke though some shallow boulders which looked like mullet heaven, but saw absolutely zilch. Went out a little about 7-9m dropping into lots of likely holes between larger rocks and kelp, still nothing. Went further again, drifting on the wind and weak tide and found some small school pollock which I left. A touch further and deeper and the ground changed to cleaner bottom but with some ledges and looked good. Only trouble was my fitness! I don't have a dive computer, but my float line tells me it was approx 15m at low water. As this purely prospecting a brand new spot and with the tide pushing by then, I called it a draw and came away, but will certainly explore that spot again soon. Glass half empty is that I saw NO take able fish at all, and very little sign of any life. Glass half full is that the shallow ground is not worth pursuing, but getting on out to those ledges is.
Took a dive today, which was the first for 2 months. Went on the mid western Jurassic Coast, sheltered from the NE breeze of the last while. Was greeted by close to flat calm, and decent viz of 5m ++. Had a poke though some shallow boulders which looked like mullet heaven, but saw absolutely zilch. Went out a little about 7-9m dropping into lots of likely holes between larger rocks and kelp, still nothing. Went further again, drifting on the wind and weak tide and found some small school pollock which I left. A touch further and deeper and the ground changed to cleaner bottom but with some ledges and looked good. Only trouble was my fitness! I don't have a dive computer, but my float line tells me it was approx 15m at low water. As this purely prospecting a brand new spot and with the tide pushing by then, I called it a draw and came away, but will certainly explore that spot again soon. Glass half empty is that I saw NO take able fish at all, and very little sign of any life. Glass half full is that the shallow ground is not worth pursuing, but getting on out to those ledges is.
The weather this year has meant that the south coast was only fishable for small windows and in specific places. Seems that the gulfstream was right over us most of the summer sending wave after wave of weather fronts.
Fingers crossed for a calmer winter and a better 2017
Fingers crossed for a calmer winter and a better 2017
Hi all,
I just wanted to introduce myself, I’m Bournemouth based & looking for some local spearo knowledge & buddies. I completed a RAID freediver course this weekend and got on really well, so itching to get going, though I appreciate it seems to be all quieting down now the cold is setting in.
Chesil seems to be the place to be but I wondered if there was anything in the Poole, Bournemouth or Christchurch area that was worth checking out? Preferably without the need for a boat / kayak.
Cheers in advance
Ash
I just wanted to introduce myself, I’m Bournemouth based & looking for some local spearo knowledge & buddies. I completed a RAID freediver course this weekend and got on really well, so itching to get going, though I appreciate it seems to be all quieting down now the cold is setting in.
Chesil seems to be the place to be but I wondered if there was anything in the Poole, Bournemouth or Christchurch area that was worth checking out? Preferably without the need for a boat / kayak.
Cheers in advance
Ash
Welcome along.
The trouble with Poole bay etc is probable lack of visibility, it's a big open expanse with an unstable bottom, big currents and lack of shelter. Also a LOT of boat traffic there. Plenty of archives from when the Dorset thread had some buzz, just do your homework! As this is a public forum you won't get much straight up info on dive spots, but there are several well known locations that I'm sure are not too secret. Anywhere from Swanage to Portland is good, just find some shelter from the wind and swell and be very careful of the currents anyplace that has no physical structure, such as a headland, to divert it. Some Purbeck marks it can flow at a brisk walking pace, and Portland more so! Remember that it ebbs west and floods east, and the ebb will normally be a lot stronger than the flood. Any wind with south in it is curtains for viz, and any north will flatten the swell off. East and west winds can normally be sheltered from somewhere. The beaches more towards Weymouth will allow easier access in and out, whilst the cliffs area towards Swanage require careful thought as exit points can be few and far between, and should be avoided for beginners. For a gentle leaner slope then sandsfoot castle at Portland harbour is as tame as it comes.
Stay safe.
Up to 7m yesterday around Mupe Rocks. Water is still warm - 15c! On Thursday night in Ringstead was not good - 1m to 3m only.
Excellent Paul. Was planning on a night dive tonight, but my buddy cried off! Will possibly be a day dive Monday pm, or night dive mon or tue.
went out today at Osmington, high tide. vis up to 7 Mts. Stayed in for 2 hrs but I was getting too cold in my 5mm. When I settled into the dive I began to notice more activity seeing Mullet and Bass real close to the shore (less than 2 Mts depth) Lined up quite a few shots but I either missed or spotted the fish too late.
Towards the end of my dive saw a few even larger fish in distance swim by, too far away though to take a shot.
Although no fish taken I had a great day.
Towards the end of my dive saw a few even larger fish in distance swim by, too far away though to take a shot.
Although no fish taken I had a great day.
I am going today to campsite near Wareham. Will stay for 2 or 3 days - depends on waters conditions. Time to fold down the caravan awning and inflatable boat. And, of course, to do some day and night sessions around the area.
On Sunday 6th NOV leaving for 10 days holiday in Los Cristianos, Tenerife. I hope that when I am back, the spearfishing season will not be over.
On Sunday 6th NOV leaving for 10 days holiday in Los Cristianos, Tenerife. I hope that when I am back, the spearfishing season will not be over.
Had my maiden night dive last night at a beach on the eastern jurassic coast, and can admit I enjoyed it a lot! Due to work, I never made it until just after HW, and after a little searching found a few fish, starting with a gg mullet, 2 sole and 1 bass. Saw quite a number of small flatties, but realistically all the takeable fish came home! Other than missing a mullet and a plaice! One sole was 2lb14oz. I'll be going again for sure. Quite a treat to shoot a fish and stand up to string it! Viz btw was variable from 1m to maybe 5 or 6.
Had another night dive last night. Chose this time to explore an area of shallow and rough boulders,ledges and gullies in depths up to about 3-4m. We got in about 2 hrs after low and in a sheltered part of the bay and was greeted by questionable viz of 1-3m, but very patchy. Explored a small area of sand without any joy, then headed for the rough ground. This is an area of sharp ledges and tight gullies with patches of string weed and shallow kelp. Instantly found scattered shoals of pollock here, but passed up on those. There was a moderate swell there as it was more exposed. Found a nice bass approx 4lb just over a ledge, drifted over silently and with the spear about 1ft away missed. Doh!! The swell made aiming interesting. Carried on through worsening viz and found another bass that tried to sneak under a ledge, I waited a few moments and he just showed himself again, bang and he was on! We carried on exploring zig zagging tight in and out to as deep as the viz would allow as it was real patchy. Added a couple of modest pollock too, but could have filled up in them, and also a nice lobster which I only just made out in the gloom at 3-4m deep.
Other than a couple of small rays no flatfish were seen at all, and only 3 bass, 2 of which came away with us.
We were in maybe 2.5hrs and covered about 1.5 miles, and came away with a bass each at 2 and 4lb, a 4lb mullet, 2 pollock at 2lb and the lobster.
Other than a couple of small rays no flatfish were seen at all, and only 3 bass, 2 of which came away with us.
We were in maybe 2.5hrs and covered about 1.5 miles, and came away with a bass each at 2 and 4lb, a 4lb mullet, 2 pollock at 2lb and the lobster.
Looking to go out to maybe Portland harbour this weekend, just because it will be sheltered and as the water temp is dropping quickly I think it may be one of my final dives this year.
Any news on activity/best spot to go for the Harbour?
Any news on activity/best spot to go for the Harbour?
Best spot in the whole of Portland Harbour is any where outside of it! There's plenty been written about the harbour, so time to use the search function. The forecast is pretty up and down regarding wind strength and direction, so kudos for getting out, I know I'll be tucked up somewhere nice and warm myself.
Thanks, I know what you mean regards the harbour !!!
I will be keeping an eye on the wind and swell direction, if all works out well then I'll get out and find a suitably sheltered spot.
I will be keeping an eye on the wind and swell direction, if all works out well then I'll get out and find a suitably sheltered spot.
I'd be grateful if anyone local can let me know any chance of viz Swanage to Weymouth Sunday through Tuesday please. Thanks in advance.