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Dorset Spearfishing 2013

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Have a 5am get up for a session at 'Worth' tomorrow morning. JPP, I am in the same boat, not sure what the vis is and I have a fair weight in gear to take down.

Fishing the tide down. The weather has been quite settled here recently. As the vis is 'ok' in Poole Bay at the moment, I am hoping it's even better in the Purbecks.

I've just come back from Dorset coast. Started at midday and finished at 7pm. Vis under cliffs from Seacombe to Winspit from 8 to 12m! Close to St. Aldhem Head a bit lower - 6 to 8m! Temp. 19 C.
 
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Fished Chapmans Pool and below St Albans Head today. Vis was not good at Chapmans, but improved once I got round the corner. Managed one bass (47cm) and 5 sizeable pollack. Time must have flown as I was in the water for 5 hours... my longest session so far.
 
Fished Chapmans Pool on a night dive last night. Vis was poor, 1m to 2 in places. Only saw one Bass and I got that.
Very disappointing to do the long trek down there to find poor vis and know you have to go all the way back up again.
Met Kuya going down in the morning. Glad you had a good dive.
Went in at Swanage this evening. Much better vis, 5m. Got 4 Bass a Mullet and a Pollack. Lost the biggest Mullet I have had so far when it went beazerk and broke off the spear. Saw Garfish chasing the bait fish as well.
Good weather today and vis.
 
I'm planning on my first night dive at the weekend, and wondered of there was any advice I should heed? I was thinking of going off the beach, sandbanks or branksome as probably safer for a first go? What would people recommend? Thanks.
 
To the west of the zoned off swimming area at Sandbanks I've seen from the shore that the current can pull quite strong along there at certain states of the tide.

The tides are big this weekend and if you are fishing the flood you may end up drifting quite a bit east along that section if you some metres out - I haven't dived there before so don't know. I have not yet done my first night dive but would be familiar with the venue daytime first before heading out at night.

Maybe a harbour or sheltered venue would be more suitable for the first night dive - Swanage Bay, Lulworth, Portland Harbour- Newtons Cove area.
 
I guess the TUNA hype has started.
I went on a solo night dive last night, plan was to swim abottsbury to west bexington and walk the track back.

Think again; fisherman shoulder to shoulder from the dragons teeth to burton bradstock :(....

By the time I had looked for a clear run and drove to other spots it was midnight, so just went to ringstead for a few bass, a massive mullet of 7lb 6oz and 2 lobsters. Vis was a dirty 3-4m. Only got nudged once by the porbeagle shark, as I shone my torch in his eye and he soon buggered off.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
 
Quite a mission there Lee! but glad you got some fish at least! think I will be jumping in tonight for a few hours along Preston beach see if I can grab a few fish before the weekend. Then will be looking to do at least one night dive mission and a maybe a day dip. Let me know if you can join at all.

I guess the TUNA hype has started.
I went on a solo night dive last night, plan was to swim abottsbury to west bexington and walk the track back.

Think again; fisherman shoulder to shoulder from the dragons teeth to burton bradstock :(....

By the time I had looked for a clear run and drove to other spots it was midnight, so just went to ringstead for a few bass, a massive mullet of 7lb 6oz and 2 lobsters. Vis was a dirty 3-4m. Only got nudged once by the porbeagle shark, as I shone my torch in his eye and he soon buggered off.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
 
Thanks Kuya, I'll head to Swanage then. Would you recommend anywhere in particular, or can I just get in from the beach? I've dived around the old pier before, didn't get anything but it looked good, would that be suitable at night?
 
You boys keep that thing up your way, saw something move past me couple of nights ago, just a movement through the darkness. pooped my pants. Convinced myself it was a seal but who knows?
 
Thanks Kuya, I'll head to Swanage then. Would you recommend anywhere in particular, or can I just get in from the beach? I've dived around the old pier before, didn't get anything but it looked good, would that be suitable at night?

Swanage would be a good choice as it's sheltered and the vis is very good there at the moment. I went for a walk along the pier yesterday and the water was crystal clear.

However, the wind is forecast to pick up a bit at the weekend and I don't know how the vis will be affected.
When the pier is closed to people at night I can't see why you couldn't try there and close in. Could park on the free section of road before the pier and get in there.. very easy get in. However, I would stay away from the Peveril Point area which borders Durlston Bay next door until you know the area. The contents of Swanage Bay spills out of there on an ebbing tide forming a race. You'd probably be fishing the tide up as it's high water at least until 10.30pm on those nights.

I know it may not be possible, but the conditions for the next two nights look more suitable for a dive.

-- this is my advice from someone new to spearfishing... I have kayak fished Swanage many times though.
 
Hi guys,

Just joined your community so this is my first post but have been reading a lot recently for advice as reasonably new to this. I live in Ringwood so was just wondering if you guys knew any good spearfishing spots east of Bournemouth? I thought I saw someone mention Mudeford? I know there is a fair amount west towards portland etc but can be quite a way if I am pushed for time!

Went out towards Old Harry yesterday but a beginner so still finding my feet!

Happy hunting.
Jonny.
 
Swanage would be a good choice as it's sheltered and the vis is very good there at the moment. I went for a walk along the pier yesterday and the water was crystal clear.

However, the wind is forecast to pick up a bit at the weekend and I don't know how the vis will be affected.
When the pier is closed to people at night I can't see why you couldn't try there and close in. Could park on the free section of road before the pier and get in there.. very easy get in. However, I would stay away from the Peveril Point area which borders Durlston Bay next door until you know the area. The contents of Swanage Bay spills out of there on an ebbing tide forming a race. You'd probably be fishing the tide up as it's high water at least until 10.30pm on those nights.

I know it may not be possible, but the conditions for the next two nights look more suitable for a dive.

-- this is my advice from someone new to spearfishing... I have kayak fished Swanage many times though.

Be aware that there is a bylaw and spearfishing within 50m of the pier is prohibited. Peveril point is dangerous; especially at night. And divers have spotted mako sharks working thebeach towards old harry rocks.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
 
Is the byelaw a relatively recent thing?

Found this thread from 5 years ago - the spearo tried to find out if one actually existed but didn't seem to get anywhere after phoning the police and council http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/75349-dorset-spearing-2008-a-107.html#1596

When I first started spearfishing a fee years ago I emailed a few key people in swanage council and the pier with regards to spearfishing there and they said it was prohibited as there are a lot of divers there and that's where they do their courses. Hope this helps.

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Got in at Barton-On-Sea, Christchurch Bay this afternoon fishing the tide down. The vis was poor making it practically unfishable. I saw small school bass and bait fish but nothing sizeable. The current down there seemed quite light. Although it's mostly sand on the bottom there are areas of low lying rocks further out. The rocks are really soft, like clay. Because of the conditions and lack of fish I ended up breaking up pieces of clay on the bottom looking for fossils!

The wind picked up, the sea state became unpleasant so I got out.
 
my parents have a caravan at highcliffe. if you can get on a boat about 3ks out there is a reef in 15-20m of water, there is bream there etc, then there is heng head. i think beyond barton the vis is really poor in solent due to tide and river mud. there is also no current around barton and highcliffe so little food coming past.
 
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