Dorset Spear Fishing 2012

[BarnacleBoy]

I'd rep you up Scoobaru, but I have to spread the joy apparently! Cheers, yes, looking under the rocks/boulders was one thing I did not do today...learning...

I think I should start reporting my dives in the freediving section rather than the spearfising one...

 

[Spacemonkey]

Hi guys, not been able to get in the water much this year due to moving house (back home down south in Christchurch!!) and my diving buddy shafting his clavicle and thus not being able to do anything this year at all. So I've got some free time tomorrow afternoon as the missus wants to see a friend in Weymouth so I have been thinking of exploring the Sandsfoot castle area either in the water or by kayak.

Does anyone know if it is worth exploring for future spearing expeditions and if the vis is normally good and calm? Any dodgy water conditions there or anything else I should know? PM me if you want to keep it quiet.

What are the restrictions in place in the Harbour at the mo'?

My speargun is still not rigged up (need help with that one from a grown up- and how to sset it up for shooting) so it's just a snorkelling trip really...

How deep is it there?

Thanks all!

SM

 

[Scoobaru]

Hi guys, not been able to get in the water much this year due to moving house (back home down south in Christchurch!!) and my diving buddy shafting his clavicle and thus not being able to do anything this year at all. So I've got some free time tomorrow afternoon as the missus wants to see a friend in Weymouth so I have been thinking of exploring the Sandsfoot castle area either in the water or by kayak.

Does anyone know if it is worth exploring for future spearing expeditions and if the vis is normally good and calm? Any dodgy water conditions there or anything else I should know? PM me if you want to keep it quiet.

What are the restrictions in place in the Harbour at the mo'?

My speargun is still not rigged up (need help with that one from a grown up- and how to sset it up for shooting) so it's just a snorkelling trip really...

How deep is it there?

Thanks all!

SM

The whole area around there is a nice pleasant dive with not much tide and can sometimes be very good Vis. But Vis is mostly around the 3-5m range because if the silt/sand. In close there are various reefs running along the shore. The depth is between 0.5m and about 4.5m out quite far. It is a nice place for beginners to learn to spearfish with the shallow reefs and it can produce decent bass and mullet from time to time. But if you have access to a kayak or boat ii would recommend going out towards the breakwater and diving the arms instead. I'm not too sure in current restrictions with the para Olympics and I'm not entirely sure on the restrictions about diving the breakwater arms, I've personally never had any bother but I know some people are adamant there's a 50m exclusion zone around te breakwater arms but the harbour master etc don't mind people diving the outside at all. I would say your best bet would be to take the kayak down and have an exploration session and see if it suits your diving style/expectations then if you like the look of it fix the gun (I'll help if needed, but I'm not sure I qualify as an adult : ) and then explore underwater.

Sorry I can't be of more help to you

 

[Spacemonkey]

Thanks mate, that's just what I wanted to know! My Yak's are unsuitable for diving- they're enclosed touring kayaks- Robson Waikikis- kind of short sea kayaks, so not easy to get in and out of in the water!

I'd be a bit nervy on the breakwaters for now as I'm still conquering my fear of the sea believe it or not.. (and sharks in particular.. ) so close in sounds good to me. Sad I know, but I still don't like poor vis. I did a dive recently and vis was 1m to zilch and I really didn't like it. No chance of relaxing and getting good breath holds. No worries in Malaysia, and it's great here when vis is 6m or so!

Is there easy parking near the castle and waterfront there? I could have a kayak on top of a Mitsi Delica which means no hope of getting under any 'anti Kamper' bars like those that Christchurch Council and their chums enjoy putting on all their car parks. I'm slightly dubious about taking both kits in case I dive and have to leave the yak on top of the car. Would it still be there...? That's all I'd be thinking about, but I'd hate to have a 1+ hour drive (and the fuel..) to find no vis and not have an alternate plan. :/

 

[Spacemonkey]

Found some info on Portland Harbour for the next week or so:
http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=173560&filetype=pdf

Particularly:

"KAYAKS
Q. Can I launch my Kayak or Canoe in the Paralympic waters during the Paralympic Period?
A. Yes you can. During Race Hours (R) you should remain within the defined areas in Portland Harbour. If
you wish to go through the Portland Marina Gate you will need to register with Portland Harbour Authority
and book an Olympic Sticker (min 24 hr. notice). After Race Hours (R) the Competition and Course Areas
will be opened for general use."

"FISHING
Q. Can I fish in in Portland Harbour during the Paralympic Games?
A. During Race Hours (R) fishing by rod and line from a boat can take place in any area that is not the
Competition Area and is clear of normal prohibited or restricted areas. Once the Competition and Course
Areas are released daily for general use then fishing may take place in all areas not prohibited or restricted;
these areas are on current Fishing Permits in force for 2012.
Commercial fishermen have restrictions during the Paralympic period and these restrictions have been
agreed by prior arrangement.
DIVING
Q. Can I dive in Portland Harbour during the Paralympic Games?
A. Yes but not in prohibited or restricted areas as shown on current Portland Diving Permits for 2012.
Additionally, during Race hours (R) diving cannot take place in the Competition or Course Areas. After
race hours (R) these areas will be reopened for general use. The Olympic Marina will be closed to divers
throughout the Olympic HRO period (H)."



I assume though that by diving they mean SCUBA. I guess 'snorkelling' is simply swimming with props?

 

[Scoobaru]

Ah I see what you mean about the kayak not the most suitable then. With the winds we're having today and tomorrow most of Portland harbour will not be worth diving as it cuts across the harbour and stirs it up pretty bad, so If you don't like bad Vis dives ten it's probably not worth bringing the snorkelling kit. But I would still recommend Coming down for a scouting mission to check out the area for parking and diving spots. Also you can see what effect the wind has on Portland harbour to give you a better idea for future dives. In this wind I wouldn't take the kayak out unless you are very comfortable Eskimo rolling and don't mind choppy seas as I'm sure it will get quite rough out there and it can be quite a miserable lonely place drifting back holding into a kayak by yourself in weather like this.

 

[Spacemonkey]

Thanks mate! Looking out the window into my garden I can see that this years solitary peach crop is blowing around like a good 'un so not good yakking or diving weather really. And looking at the Weymouth webcams, not much good for anything over there!

If I can't convince the missus to take the coach there I'll take the dive kit and the fishing kit just in case. Fishing Tails | Want to know how, where and when to catch it? This is where you want to be! reckons it's a bit sheltered near Sandsfoot today so might be lure fishable, but not if there's much colour. Otherwise, I'll stay home and clear the garage area to start my bike rebuild. Probably a better option today!

 

[rowlzy295]

Went for a dive last night with matt (scoobaru), we initially went to a spot where we thought we would find some good vis in the strong winds we had, but after getting in and swimming around in 1-2m vis at best, much less the majority of the time, we decided to get out and try another spot.

Once at the new spot we checked the water for vis before we got in and it looked ok. Once in we made rapid progress over the ground due to the wind and waves pushing us along rapidly, and before long it was time to turn around and start the long swim back into the wind and waves. Nothing taken on this dive, however several different species seen, plaice, sole, flounder, bass, bream, and even a small shoal of mackerel in about 2ft of water.

I did get a chance to use the new go pro mount, and currently am trying to put a video together from the dive which should be done over the next couple of days hopefully...

 

[Scoobaru]

Good report mate. Shame we came home empty handed but can't have it all. Good report there Have some rep.

As will said Vis wasn't the best and it was hard work swimming against the wind and waves. Happy because my ear didn't play up at all and equalised perfect everytime even if I did only dive down 2m. Happy I can now start getting in again

 

[misterlizard]

Good report mate. Shame we came home empty handed but can't have it all. Good report there Have some rep.

As will said Vis wasn't the best and it was hard work swimming against the wind and waves. Happy because my ear didn't play up at all and equalised perfect everytime even if I did only dive down 2m. Happy I can now start getting in again

Glad to hear you're back in the water.

 

[Scoobaru]

Cheers mate

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Great - you must have been pleased to have no issues with the ear. Take it slowly I'd say and hopefully that's the last of the troubles.

 

[spearo nobby]

Well in guys! Happy days about the ears mate.
Will giv u both a shout wen my shoulder is all healed up.
Its killin me bein out the water this long. I GOT FISH TO CATCH!!!!!!!!!

 

[Scoobaru]

Great - you must have been pleased to have no issues with the ear. Take it slowly I'd say and hopefully that's the last of the troubles.

Cheers for the concern mate. Yea it was nice to have no problems with the ear. I used the docs proplugs aswel so not entirely sure if they helped aswel. But I'm not fussed as long as the ears don't play up

Now We all just need the wind to drop for a few weeks so we can start getting some decent catches again

 

[Scoobaru]

Well in guys! Happy days about the ears mate.
Will giv u both a shout wen my shoulder is all healed up.
Its killin me bein out the water this long. I GOT FISH TO CATCH!!!!!!!!!

Cheers mate. Yea definitely we got some deep water marks to hit an drag big fish up from the depths. Take it easy bud as its not worth risking until its fully healed especially with that sniper rifle gun of yours, you'll only damage it mre

 

[spearo nobby]

Cheers mate. Yea definitely we got some deep water marks to hit an drag big fish up from the depths. Take it easy bud as its not worth risking until its fully healed especially with that sniper rifle gun of yours, you'll only damage it mre

Ha ha ! Cheers mate. Yeah that bad boy has alot to answer for!! Yeah mate up for those deep dives!!

 

[Spacemonkey]

Shooting big bore thingies is the reason I'm half deaf... Eh?

Good luck with the ears/shoulders! My dive buddy is out of the water all this year due to a biking accident and a knackered shoulder and I know how much he's suffering so take it easy both of you! Damage them before they're healed and they'll never heal properly.

 

[Scoobaru]

Shooting big bore thingies is the reason I'm half deaf... Eh?

Good luck with the ears/shoulders! My dive buddy is out of the water all this year due to a biking accident and a knackered shoulder and I know how much he's suffering so take it easy both of you! Damage them before they're healed and they'll never heal properly.

That's it bud, it's funny tho how I normally get injured just as my season is picking up or I've caught decent fish. I like to look at it as my rest time to save some fish for other people ha ha

But on a serious note at the end of the day it's a hobby for us all and no hobby is worth permanently damaging your body, Through carelessness because you didn't rest and let your body heal when it needed to

 

[Spacemonkey]

Too true. I twisted my knee and tore my ligaments (MCL and poss ACL and cartilage tear) a year ago reaching under my computer desk of all things! I'm still awaiting an MRI as I've been moving house and... well it's a long story, but the point is that I've barely been able to do ANY of my hobbies as they're all outdoors and action based and a dodgy knee stops it all dead! But although it's been very hard I've resisted trying and it is sloooowly improving. Diving is actually good therapy for my knee and I've told my wife that I have to go more, on doctor's orders.. but she wasn't impressed!!


Oh and if anyone else suffers weak or dodgy knees, the latest therapy is to stand on one leg for extended periods as this strengthens the muscles, thus taking the strain off the ligaments and also increase balance. It's helping me!

 

[spearo nobby]

If u know of any for a fractured collorbone torn ligaments and trapped nerv causing constant pins and needles in finger tips im all ears mate. Amazin wot loading a double banded 90 can do to an umpa lumpa! Ha ha !!