Dorset Spearfishing 2006

[SurfnSpear]

I was thinking about using a Glowworm with one of those Eveready Lantern batteries clipped on!!rofl rofl Just got to catch him out at night! rofl

 

[Mr. X]

It's just like that one guy's signature on this board says: "it will take you to exotic lands, beautiful waters . . . ruin your marriage, drain your bank account"

Criminy. I should have gone to Southampton or Sussex or some university in Dorset instead of freakin' Essex. Better yet: I should have stayed home on the So. Cal. coast, chock full as it is with white sea bass, halibut, lobsters, calico and sand bass, leopard shark (they're absolutely delicious), lingcod, cabezon and more - at several different shore spots, all within less than an hour's drive from my parent's place. Life is retarded.

I would think Southampton, Portmouth, Exeter & Plymouth (& Swansea, Aber, Bangor?) might be decent spearo Uni's! (No Cornish University that I can think of...pity, I bet that would be popular -- might provide some revenue in the off-season too:hmm). rofl

Come to think of it, aren't there a load of extraordinarily pleasant Universities in your native Cal.? (CalTech, Berkely, UCSD, Davies, ....) Surely some are near the sea?

Re. Headtorches, UK mini/micro 40(?) about 10 pounds off ebay -- I got 2 there (by accident -- but the way I am loosing gear at the moment...). It won't cut through the particle matter I have been seeing though. Neither will the much more powerful Omer Moonlight Pro.

 

[Spaniard]

Hey All,

I'm just getting done with my vacation time here on the sunny - but currently murky - california coast. I've been out a couple of times since I've been back. In two days, I'm back to Colchester, UK, and the closest decent shore-diving, I've been told, is Bognor Regis, which is about 2 and a half hours away with a car that I don't have.

I have a new suit that is awesome. I have a new gun. I have fins and a mask that I love, and I really, really, do not want to give up spearfishing for the next 8 months while I get my Master's degree.

Please, do any of you guys know of ANY shore spots that are close by Colchester? Near Clacton? Or would I have to drop some quid on a beater and pay you guys a long ass drive visit in Portland and Weymouth and Dorset to get my spearing in? Let me know.

Try contacting London Club at www.spearfishing.org

I think some members might spear in your area or nearby

 

[Mr. X]

Don't give up on us yet...

Went rod and line fishing this weekend and it turns out that there are bass still around. Not just the odd one either! I am going in next weekend (viz permitting) to my fave bassing spot. Its got to be worth a look! I thought that there wouldn't be much about this time of year. Maybe i'm dreaming...

A couple of people told me that fish stop feeding in Winter (I have to point out that my speargun really doesn't care about that). Have no idea if it is true (or a gross generalization) -- I am sure some people on the forum (maybe Flyfisher?) would know.

 

[Spaniard]

Some fish eat less but unless a creature is hibernating you need food to power the system so you can't just stop. Some species, like Bass, over-winter in the Western approaches getting ready to spawn which is why you rarely catch them around UK mainland in winter

 

[Flattie basher]

The latter months of the year October, November, December and the beginning, March, April and May are when we had our biggest bass last year (and the year before). Its also when we had the best viz, especially from October onwards. That said the beginning of the year can be badly affected by May Bloom (plankton)

 

[glowworm]

I think we might need more than a lantern battery Surfinspearrofl rofl

As for the lack of fish and feeding during winter months,fish do move into deeper warmer water when it gets cold.Most fish also spawn in the earley part of the year so maybe we should leave them to get on with it and ensure future stocks.

Just my two pence worth

 

[Mr. X]

The latter months of the year October, November, December and the beginning, March, April and May are when we had our biggest bass last year (and the year before). Its also when we had the best viz, especially from October onwards. That said the beginning of the year can be badly affected by May Bloom (plankton)

Were you out at sea (boat or Isle of Portland) - or shore diving from the main coast? I read somewhere that Bass head to the South West in winter ...doesn't sound that plausible (all the bass hanging out around Lands End?)...but perhaps there is a grain of truth in it(?).

 

[deirmendjian]

I would think Southampton, Portmouth, Exeter & Plymouth (& Swansea, Aber, Bangor?) might be decent spearo Uni's! (No Cornish University that I can think of...pity, I bet that would be popular -- might provide some revenue in the off-season too:hmm). rofl

Come to think of it, aren't there a load of extraordinarily pleasant Universities in your native Cal.? (CalTech, Berkely, UCSD, Davies, ....) Surely some are near the sea?

Re. Headtorches, UK mini/micro 40(?) about 10 pounds off ebay -- I got 2 there (by accident -- but the way I am loosing gear at the moment...). It won't cut through the particle matter I have been seeing though. Neither will the much more powerful Omer Moonlight Pro.

Certainly are. I've applied to UC Santa Cruz for my Ph.D. for next fall . . . needless to say, I don't like the department there that much, but I'd hit it up for 6 or 7 good years of nor cal spearing! The water conditions are generally much better up there, I think, and the kelp forests . . . the majestic kelp forests. To me, that cold-water diving is even more incredible than a lot of the tropical places.

 

[fearthespear]

I'm hearing that...if the anglers are still having them, they are still feeding! If my cold gets better i'm deffo going to hunt around Portland for some late season doubles (cough!)

 

[flyflicker]

You will be without me - my man flu is still very active, I have gone through the worst, but my whole head is blocked with unmentionable horribly stuff!!

I will just have to wait at the top, with a flask of hot soup for you all! Unless you want a Thai?

 

[fearthespear]

That'll be lung butter then! Something spicy would certainly clear the tubes!! I'll let you know anyway...

 

[KWM]

Were you out at sea (boat or Isle of Portland) - or shore diving from the main coast? I read somewhere that Bass head to the South West in winter ...doesn't sound that plausible (all the bass hanging out around Lands End?)...but perhaps there is a grain of truth in it(?).

Most of my spearing is done between Eastbourne and Portland, with a lot being done of shoreham and worthing, we do use a boat but nearly all of our marks are within swimming distance. Using an boat gives us the advantage of being able to fish a number of marks which are sometimes several miles apart.
I also have the great advantage of diving with an extremely experienced dive buddy who has been British champion a number of times. We do fish marks that are 7-8 miles off -shore but not very often

I should explain that Flattie Basher and KWM are both me, just using different computers

Kev

 

[SurfnSpear]

I'm hearing that...if the anglers are still having them, they are still feeding! If my cold gets better i'm deffo going to hunt around Portland for some late season doubles (cough!)

I share your frustration Fearo! I have had a sinus problem since the end of last summer with massive bubbles of explosive migraine around my left eye. And then there's the colds that my kid keeps bringing home from nursery:head :rcard

P.S. Are you one half of the Ben and Will bass killing parnership from the spearo BBQ? Just seeing some of your posted pics...
If you are...I seem to remember you taking a few pics at the event last year and out on the duck. Do you have them to post?

Cheers

 

[fearthespear]

dah...cover has been blown!

You are so right, I did take piccies and I haven't got a clue what happened to them??!! Could have been Willies camera. I'll give him a bell to see if he has them!

back soon....

 

[Old Man Dave]

The Old Man, Ed And Pete went in tonight over here in Guernsey. Think the total was 6 sole, 6 red mullet and 1 small turbot. Not bad for January. Buy yourself some torches boys. Don't say I didn't tell you.
Pictures and story on Guernsey 2006 tomorrow.
Regards
Dave

 

[glowworm]

Right that's it night diving it is then.Thought i could wait until spring but i've just reviewed Surfinspear and Fearthespears galleries and good summer memories have all come flodding back.Now i need fresh fish and spearo BBQ's again.(have been buying fish since stocks run out:naughty )Anybody got any plans or fancies giving it a go!!!!

Nice picture of the sunset from the boat Surfinspear that looks like the figure of a not so glowing Glowworm in the picture.rofl rofl

 

[fearthespear]

Right that's it night diving it is then.Thought i could wait until spring but i've just reviewed Surfinspear and Fearthespears galleries and good summer memories have all come flodding back.Now i need fresh fish and spearo BBQ's again.(have been buying fish since stocks run out:naughty )Anybody got any plans or fancies giving it a go!!!!

Nice picture of the sunset from the boat Surfinspear that looks like the figure of a not so glowing Glowworm in the picture.rofl rofl

Myself and a mate have mulled over night spearing many a time but it has never come to fruition! I'm well up for trying it this year, listening to the Gurnsey massive it would seem that we're missing some potentially superb sessions! I would be looking for very good viz initially even if its just to stop myself getting the spooks!!

 

[glowworm]

Oh yes good vis is a must.Don't want anybody shooting a 150lb glowworm:crutch One spot springs to mind straight away with not too far to walk from the car and a traditional sole mark.It was crammed full of baby red mullet aswell in the summer so hopefully they have stuck around growing into dinner

 

[foxfish]

Hi guys
Hope you don't mind me visiting your thread, my brother (old man Dave) suggested i have a look as you have a similar site to ours. I've also got a message for Mr X if you are still looking for a small boat, check out PORTA BOAT on the web. I've had one for about 5 years (amongst others) defiantly had some fun in that thing! Check it out you will be amazed. anyhow must go Dave's gone night diving so I'm off to take some more pics