Dorset Spear Fishing 2012

[misterlizard]

Got in at 0430 today at my favourite local spot that I haven't dived for a long long time. Viz was terrible - around 1-2m with the occasional 3m patch. Saw one gargantuan wrasse, one too-small bass, and lots of too-small pollack.

Then just as I was about to get out, a shoal of 3 or 4 nice size bass swam straight towards me and caught me off-guard. As I brought my gun up they all shot off. Bugger! But then out of the corner of my eye I saw one of them sneak back up behind me to take a closer look. So I slowly turned around. As I did so it started to swim slowly away so I took a shot and saw it flip over. I quickly let go of my gun, followed the line down to the seabed where I found... an empty spear. Grrr! :duh

Searched around a bit more but didn't see anything more so headed home for a shower, breakfast, and off to work.

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Fish do have a knack of turning up just as you decide to get out!

How big was the wrasse?

robdigital - I think the link is broken.

 

[speerolee]

Jumped in for a very vey quick half hour dive; managed a nice little 3lb mullet and missed a 6-7 lb bass.

I was teaching a newbie mate of mine, thus spent most of the time in the water unarmed!

0 three sorted him out with a great deal on new kit, very friendly and helpful bunch as always.

Going in later today for a 'real' dive. Will report up later.

Oh,,,,, vs yesterday was 8 meters best and 4-5 at worst. Tons of mullet on the surface and bass and pollack from 8-14m.

Hoping to get a few new species today for the comp.

 

[robdigital]

robdigital - I think the link is broken

sorry not sure whats going on, cannot view anyone else's pics either ?

 

[barny02]

Got in for a fab dive with Nobby best dive in a long time was a night of fun and funny mishaps no fish ! gun blew up ! lost me snorkel ! lost 2 goodie bags and me shoes got to laugh, life is great

 

[Scoobaru]

Got in for a fab dive with Nobby best dive in a long time was a night of fun and funny mishaps no fish ! gun blew up ! lost me snorkel ! lost 2 goodie bags and me shoes got to laugh, life is great

Sounds like a nightmare dive, but fair play for seeing the funny side of it. I will keep my eye out for you as I dive the same areas nobby does

 

[Scoobaru]

Has anyone else seen any jelly fish around?? When I went diving yesterday I saw 3, one of which I swam straight into face first.

 

[robdigital]

tried 2 spots this afternoon - vis was pretty good, although a bit choppy on the surface.

Scoobaro i have not seen a jellyfish for ages - just plastic bags lol

 

[Scoobaru]

They were the first I had seen whilst being in the water. I thought they looked quite nice just floating in the water, but that opinion soon changed when I surfaced with tentacles on my mask. Reminded me of the fateful day I got stung by a sea anemone on the inside of my mouth : (

 

[misterlizard]

Has anyone else seen any jelly fish around?? When I went diving yesterday I saw 3, one of which I swam straight into face first.

Interesting - I grew up near Sidmouth and spent most of my childhood down at the beach surfing, snorkelling, and spearfishing. I used to see hundreds of jellyfish, big and small, in the water and on the beach. These days I don't see any. In fact, I haven't seen any for years and years. I wonder why?

 

[Scoobaru]

Yea a few years ago we used to see a lot of jelly fish floating around, some the size of dustbins, and they were always washed up on the shoreline. Been a few years since I last saw some. Looking back, i remember when we used to see them the fishing was always really good : )

 

[tribs]

Interesting - I grew up near Sidmouth and spent most of my childhood down at the beach surfing, snorkelling, and spearfishing. I used to see hundreds of jellyfish, big and small, in the water and on the beach. These days I don't see any. In fact, I haven't seen any for years and years. I wonder why?

There were hundreds in Budleigh Bay last time I went! Small, pink ringed jellies.

Tribs

Out

 

[Spiderman]

Yep, loads of small compass jellyfish in East Devon at the moment. A couple of years ago we had lots of blue jellyfish at this time of year but I haven't seen many of them recently. There were lots of compass jellyfish in the South Hams last summer. Attached picture taken in August.

 

[Broseidon]

We get a lot of jellies in North Wales - big ones, small ones, blue ones, white ones, clear ones, yellow ones, orange ones, ones with little fish hiding in them etc etc- last time I was out they were literally everywhere.

 

[Scoobaru]

Yep, loads of small compass jellyfish in East Devon at the moment. A couple of years ago we had lots of blue jellyfish at this time of year but I haven't seen many of them recently. There were lots of compass jellyfish in the South Hams last summer. Attached picture taken in August.

Yea that looks similar to the ones I saw. Cheers for sharing with us

 

[robdigital]

ahh just when the sea had cleared this wind has knackered it up again, anyone know whats up with not being able to view peoples pics they have posted???

 

[manalive!]

Lots of jellies off N. Wales yesterday

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Anyone finding any viz?

 

[Mad4fish]

Hi there,
Thinking about driving down to Portland/Swanage area with the tent tomorrow morning for a spot of fishing over the weekend. Relatively new (compared to you guys) to spearfishing but very confident swimmer. Walked over to Mupe Rocks from Lulworth a few times last summer but caught nothing. Have been reading posts from you guys and reckon I need some help on where I should be going and where to get in etc. Anyone with some experience mind me tagging along with them? Keen to learn and wouldn't be any hassle. Reckon I'm pretty well kitted out too so no need to worry about that. Itching to spear something worth cooking back at my tent!! Cheers

 

[Scoobaru]

Hi there,
Thinking about driving down to Portland/Swanage area with the tent tomorrow morning for a spot of fishing over the weekend. Relatively new (compared to you guys) to spearfishing but very confident swimmer. Walked over to Mupe Rocks from Lulworth a few times last summer but caught nothing. Have been reading posts from you guys and reckon I need some help on where I should be going and where to get in etc. Anyone with some experience mind me tagging along with them? Keen to learn and wouldn't be any hassle. Reckon I'm pretty well kitted out too so no need to worry about that. Itching to spear something worth cooking back at my tent!! Cheers

Hi buddy, I personally would avoid Portland this weekend as there are big swells coming in, due to the strong winds we've had last couple of days, and the spring tides. Even the spearos who regularly dive Portland haven't been out. Unfortunately I can't advise about swanage as I haven't dived there much.

As for catching a fish, you have just got to keep at it mate and get some underwater hours in. Then the rest will click into place. Keep an eye on the forums for general areas where fish are being caught and any tips/tricks people put up. Then if your still stuck ask questions as I'm sure there's at least one person on here who can answer any questions you have.

Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck if you do go