-
Welcome to the DeeperBlue.com Forums, the largest online community dedicated to Freediving, Scuba Diving and Spearfishing. To gain full access to the DeeperBlue.com Forums you must register for a free account. As a registered member you will be able to:
- Join over 47,943+ fellow diving enthusiasts from around the world on this forum
- Participate in and browse from over 531,990+ posts.
- Communicate privately with other divers from around the world.
- Post your own photos or view from 7,455+ user submitted images.
- All this and much more...
You can gain access to all this absolutely free when you register for an account, so sign up today!
Guernsey 2006
- Thread starter portinfer
- 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.
Hi Spaghetti, the technique shown in the video is agguato mostly from the surface, but sometimes from the bottom too. The video is called "Agguato a Spigole e Cefali". Very nice 
As for mullet, that's also my primary target this spring
The biggest one I caught so far was 2.2 kilos. I eat them mostly on the BBQ, but sometimes make them in tin foil with some olive oil, pepper and salt. Simple and delicious.
You can also cook them with tomatoes, onions, olives and a little white wine in the oven. Also good eating.
As for mullet, that's also my primary target this spring
The biggest one I caught so far was 2.2 kilos. I eat them mostly on the BBQ, but sometimes make them in tin foil with some olive oil, pepper and salt. Simple and delicious.
You can also cook them with tomatoes, onions, olives and a little white wine in the oven. Also good eating.
Gave spearing a rest today as a lull in the recent spell of awful weather meant that I could get afloat.
So out in my boat today, just down to "The Point". Managed 50 mackerel between 3 of us in about 2 hours. That's the best so far this season. Up until now it had only been a handful unless you were on the "offshore" banks. So looks like summer is here at last. Also dragged a launce fillet over the bottom on the off chance of a turbot but no joy.
BTW we stopped at 50 and all are going to be eaten by friends and family tonight or tomorrow.
Dave .
PS back to normal - spearing tomorrow - provided the wind lets up a bit. Been a crappy May.
So out in my boat today, just down to "The Point". Managed 50 mackerel between 3 of us in about 2 hours. That's the best so far this season. Up until now it had only been a handful unless you were on the "offshore" banks. So looks like summer is here at last. Also dragged a launce fillet over the bottom on the off chance of a turbot but no joy.
BTW we stopped at 50 and all are going to be eaten by friends and family tonight or tomorrow.
Dave
.PS back to normal - spearing tomorrow - provided the wind lets up a bit. Been a crappy May.
Finally got my pelagos 90 from totemsub today. Beautiful gun. :inlove Could not wait to get out so rounded up beardy and went in on the west coast. Viz was reasonable and water was 12c. Did some real nice aspettos and feel that I am getting the hang of this.
After about an hour of wrasses that I did not feel worthy of the new gun I spotted a nice bass in the Jap weed. Got about 6 feet away and let fly. Unfortunately missed - new gun shoots higher than old one - concluded after test on some kelp. :vangry I struggled a bit with the reel and was eventually also rewarded with a nasty knock on my middle finger as the wishbone slipped. :blackeye In spite of that I am still very pleased with the gun but will apply the file to it and do some target practice. Now if Spiros can get those wetsuits here then I will be well kitted out for the summer whenever that arrives. Wife is off to three weeks in South Africa so plenty of recreational time for me.:t
After about an hour of wrasses that I did not feel worthy of the new gun I spotted a nice bass in the Jap weed. Got about 6 feet away and let fly. Unfortunately missed - new gun shoots higher than old one - concluded after test on some kelp. :vangry I struggled a bit with the reel and was eventually also rewarded with a nasty knock on my middle finger as the wishbone slipped. :blackeye In spite of that I am still very pleased with the gun but will apply the file to it and do some target practice. Now if Spiros can get those wetsuits here then I will be well kitted out for the summer whenever that arrives. Wife is off to three weeks in South Africa so plenty of recreational time for me.:t
Down west for a hunt through the weed with brother Mart. Had to go early but was okay for the neap tide. Great vis (amazing) but very few fish seen. However, did manage to increase my bass tally by one.
Dave .
PS In the spirit of cross culture spearing. "2006 numero cinque spigola, buon compleanno Spaghetti".
Picture of todays catch.
Dave
.PS In the spirit of cross culture spearing. "2006 numero cinque spigola, buon compleanno Spaghetti".
Picture of todays catch.
Last edited:
In fact the vis was very good, as Dave said we didn't see a huge number of shootable fish but I had a few chances. We swam out to a reef in the middle of the bay, where I saw a conger retreating back in to her hole. I also saw an ormer on top of a rock. I managed to spear a bass amongst some thick weed & saw some nice golden greys.
Ahhhh ! Sunshine ... but a bit of swell and chop...
I went to the 'north coast' in defiance of the northerlies and just to see how bad it was... but despite the recent miserable weather I found myself dropping down at 5m ... all clear .. then 7m ... clear to the bottom and then 9m and almost clear to the bottom.
Oooooh yeah a nice bit of clarity
Saw a couple of bass on a dive but as they were still in nappies I left them. ALOT of wrasse... some wrasse-convention or something .. also alot of pollack.
Didn't shoot a thing. Just really enjoyed being in the water again and had some really good dives dropping down and mooching slowly around. Found some rocks that looked lobster-esque but don't really know how to look for them - so failed at finding one ! Might take a torch down next time (waiting for parcel with bulb still...).
Had made some cedar wings for the Mamba and just used elastic bands to hold them in place and move them up and down the barrel until I found the right neutral balance. Makes a big difference... totally changes the handling - for the better. No longer do you fight the nose drop the hole time but you can just nudge it right or left and it swings over... good for aspetto. Have not tried it like this in the weeds. Another day.
Anyway, felt refreshed
... but a bit of swell and chop...I went to the 'north coast' in defiance of the northerlies and just to see how bad it was... but despite the recent miserable weather I found myself dropping down at 5m ... all clear .. then 7m ... clear to the bottom and then 9m and almost clear to the bottom.
Oooooh yeah a nice bit of clarity
Saw a couple of bass on a dive but as they were still in nappies I left them. ALOT of wrasse... some wrasse-convention or something .. also alot of pollack.
Didn't shoot a thing. Just really enjoyed being in the water again and had some really good dives dropping down and mooching slowly around. Found some rocks that looked lobster-esque but don't really know how to look for them - so failed at finding one ! Might take a torch down next time (waiting for parcel with bulb still...).
Had made some cedar wings for the Mamba and just used elastic bands to hold them in place and move them up and down the barrel until I found the right neutral balance. Makes a big difference... totally changes the handling - for the better. No longer do you fight the nose drop the hole time but you can just nudge it right or left and it swings over... good for aspetto. Have not tried it like this in the weeds. Another day.
Anyway, felt refreshed
Last edited:
Is it me, or are there NO Spiders about!?
Maybe I've simply been in the wrong places so far this year but I'd expect to have seen a few about.
I seem to recall hauling the fellas out in May before now.
=======ADVERT========
Try the new Mamba 90" — now with wings!
Maybe I've simply been in the wrong places so far this year but I'd expect to have seen a few about.
I seem to recall hauling the fellas out in May before now.
=======ADVERT========
Try the new Mamba 90" — now with wings!
I saw a couple of spiders before my enforced absence, good size too, didn't have a bag though :head
Nice pic Dave, though are you saying Spagetti is one year old? :t
Glad you got the mamba sorted to your liking Ed, going to have to give one of them a go one day I think
Cor la, suns out, good viz, a few fish, and I'm nearly ready to get back in the water, (in fact I think I could go now, only problem would be loading the gun, that'd put a bit much strain on the old guts) things are looking up!
(except for the fact I'm back at work today 
)
Spicer, which style suit did you order in the end?
Nice pic Dave, though are you saying Spagetti is one year old? :t
Glad you got the mamba sorted to your liking Ed, going to have to give one of them a go one day I think
Cor la, suns out, good viz, a few fish, and I'm nearly ready to get back in the water, (in fact I think I could go now, only problem would be loading the gun, that'd put a bit much strain on the old guts) things are looking up!
(except for the fact I'm back at work today )Spicer, which style suit did you order in the end?
Spiders are out and in force At least on the 'south east coast' (Town to St M. point) .. all around ... should have piles of them by the end of May I reckon.
As for the 3mm... recommended ! I have one and when it is about 16C and up it is a joy... alot less lead .. alot more movement ... really like a second skin and you can glide around all over the place. Can even dive without lead if there is alot of kelp about and you are at about 8m or more. I can't wait
Reckon a smoothskin 3mm in bluey/greeny elios swirls (seen this in 5mm and it looks good - black background) would be gooood. Probably about £60 to £90 ?? Not sure
Glad to hear you are mending Tom (feel free to try my mamba anytime) Glad the new gun is here Chris
__________
Edward
At least on the 'south east coast' (Town to St M. point) .. all around ... should have piles of them by the end of May I reckon.As for the 3mm... recommended ! I have one and when it is about 16C and up it is a joy... alot less lead .. alot more movement ... really like a second skin and you can glide around all over the place. Can even dive without lead if there is alot of kelp about and you are at about 8m or more. I can't wait
Reckon a smoothskin 3mm in bluey/greeny elios swirls (seen this in 5mm and it looks good - black background) would be gooood. Probably about £60 to £90 ?? Not sure
Glad to hear you are mending Tom (feel free to try my mamba anytime)
Glad the new gun is here Chris __________
Edward
G'day all. Any of you lot I saw spearing this pm bout 4:15 opposite red lion. I was the bloke bait digging... Did think about waiting but when whoever is was went deeper couldn't be bothered to hang about. Looked like whoever it was gor a bass or mullet, it was a bit far away...
So, is the water feeling warm yet??
Andy
So, is the water feeling warm yet??
Andy
Good catch boys, 2 bass the rest mullet?
Hmm, not sure about a smoothskin suit Ed, I'm not the most careful with me gear, it'd probably get well ripped in no time, I do like that pattern as well though.
You sure you'd get one for under a hundred? My mate spiros will, but thought a custom elios was more like £200. Plus it probably wouldn't be here before autumn as well.
P.S. Spiders by the end of May Ed? You got a time machine stashed away? Didn't realise you needed so many concrete block to make a flux capacitor! :t
Hmm, not sure about a smoothskin suit Ed, I'm not the most careful with me gear, it'd probably get well ripped in no time, I do like that pattern as well though.
You sure you'd get one for under a hundred? My mate spiros will, but thought a custom elios was more like £200. Plus it probably wouldn't be here before autumn as well.
P.S. Spiders by the end of May Ed? You got a time machine stashed away? Didn't realise you needed so many concrete block to make a flux capacitor! :t
Today was a GREAT day. The Foxy brothers saw some action. Oh Yeh! You bet.
I shot 7 bass and 3 mullet, although I only managed to land 4 and a half of the bass. How do you land half a bass? Read on dear reader, read on.
Let’s start at the beginning. It was a really nice day, sunny with just a touch too much westerly breeze, but perfect for a foray to the East. Fairly dead neap tide with the low late afternoon.
My brother Mart finished work early and as I’m Old Man “On Holiday” Dave, we set off for the same spot I’d done well a few days ago. It started off a bit iffy with poor vis but with numerous mullet inhabiting the shallows. A couple fell to Mart’s gun including a golden grey and I picked off a biggy as well. We moved out to the weed beds hoping for better vis.
I had the lead and as soon as I reached the beds I saw a bass appear in easy range. Biggest advantage of poor vis is when you see fish they’re in range. As the bass passed I let fly and nailed it. Good start.
Not a big weed bed and I definitely had the advantage being first in. Advantage yes, good luck, no! First off I had a bass come at me head on until at point blank I hit him on top of the head, right between the eyes. Nice fish, maybe 5lbs lying twitching on the bottom. Trouble was the spear wasn’t in it. Spear had bounced clean off its head. Shit! I’ve had this situation before and I knew what would happen next. True to form as I grabbed the fish it recovered and I couldn’t hold it. How I HATE losing fish.
Deep breaths, recover, reload and push on. Two minutes, no more, another nice 5lb-er and this ones side on. Needs a quick shot and no excuses - I ballsed it up. Hit it high – too high. Had it in my hands, but again couldn’t hold it and it tore off. Stood up and cursed, swore and generally expressed myself to the extent that a sailor would have blushed. Mart came by and when he got the details he expressed his condolences. He turned around and promptly stoning a 5.5lb bass (using his newly invented special stoning spear – let him explain that one). Made me feel better – not! But brothers do have their uses – read on.
Well that was it for that weed bed, we’d done it to death, so off on a bit of an explore. Across some sand, passing some truly amazing jellyfish on route and looking, without success, for a flatty. Got to the next set of reefs and yes, weed beds. I was first in (again) and immediately saw a big bass, which moved off. Heartened I moved further into the bed. 3 foot deep with little channels in the bootlace. There, ahead, a tail. Follow, thick weed, a body, steely blue. Follow, short cut, yes, big bass. Snap shot. Hit. Close in, grab hold. Bad shot, big fish, it’s off. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Stand up, curse and swear ‘til I’m going blue.
Remember Mart? Tail gunner, deadeye, Mart, following ten yards behind. Seconds passed before his urgent voice penetrated my delirious brain. “It’s okay Dave I’ve got it, help me”. Sure enough as the wounded bass ripped off my spear and went into top gear it had to get by my bruv. He’d fired an instinct shot with his big band 100 at a 50 knot blue blur and nailed it. Well gut shot actually but he just held it long enough for me to reach him and get a mouth hold on a 7.25lb bass. Half each, bruv? Yeh! Half each. Nice fish, bruv. Yeh and nice shot, bruv. Two idiots stand in 3 foot of water near an offshore reef holding a big fish and grinning at each other so hard their snorkels fall out.
Could have called it a day but well you know there’s always the next reef. So I went right and Mart went left. Mart saw little and wandered back to shore burdened by his catch. Remember I went right? Right was bass city.
The weed beds were full of bass. I took stock. One of the advantages of age and experience is calmness, been there seen that, got the tee shirt etc. Without that I’d still be out there. Anyhow, decided to only take close range headshots at decent fish. Got 3 using said philosophy and decided to leave the rest for another day. Had a last few minutes just watching as I was shoaled by about a dozen smallish bass and then hauled ass (and fish) for shore.
Mart was already, sat at the top of the beach. Luckily he’d got his camera in the van so we did the trophy shots while homeward bound commuters looked on. So somewhere near this ramble should be some pic’s.
Ho hum, another Guernsey trip report. .
Dave
I shot 7 bass and 3 mullet, although I only managed to land 4 and a half of the bass. How do you land half a bass? Read on dear reader, read on.
Let’s start at the beginning. It was a really nice day, sunny with just a touch too much westerly breeze, but perfect for a foray to the East. Fairly dead neap tide with the low late afternoon.
My brother Mart finished work early and as I’m Old Man “On Holiday” Dave, we set off for the same spot I’d done well a few days ago. It started off a bit iffy with poor vis but with numerous mullet inhabiting the shallows. A couple fell to Mart’s gun including a golden grey and I picked off a biggy as well. We moved out to the weed beds hoping for better vis.
I had the lead and as soon as I reached the beds I saw a bass appear in easy range. Biggest advantage of poor vis is when you see fish they’re in range. As the bass passed I let fly and nailed it. Good start.
Not a big weed bed and I definitely had the advantage being first in. Advantage yes, good luck, no! First off I had a bass come at me head on until at point blank I hit him on top of the head, right between the eyes. Nice fish, maybe 5lbs lying twitching on the bottom. Trouble was the spear wasn’t in it. Spear had bounced clean off its head. Shit! I’ve had this situation before and I knew what would happen next. True to form as I grabbed the fish it recovered and I couldn’t hold it. How I HATE losing fish.
Deep breaths, recover, reload and push on. Two minutes, no more, another nice 5lb-er and this ones side on. Needs a quick shot and no excuses - I ballsed it up. Hit it high – too high. Had it in my hands, but again couldn’t hold it and it tore off. Stood up and cursed, swore and generally expressed myself to the extent that a sailor would have blushed. Mart came by and when he got the details he expressed his condolences. He turned around and promptly stoning a 5.5lb bass (using his newly invented special stoning spear – let him explain that one). Made me feel better – not! But brothers do have their uses – read on.
Well that was it for that weed bed, we’d done it to death, so off on a bit of an explore. Across some sand, passing some truly amazing jellyfish on route and looking, without success, for a flatty. Got to the next set of reefs and yes, weed beds. I was first in (again) and immediately saw a big bass, which moved off. Heartened I moved further into the bed. 3 foot deep with little channels in the bootlace. There, ahead, a tail. Follow, thick weed, a body, steely blue. Follow, short cut, yes, big bass. Snap shot. Hit. Close in, grab hold. Bad shot, big fish, it’s off. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Stand up, curse and swear ‘til I’m going blue.
Remember Mart? Tail gunner, deadeye, Mart, following ten yards behind. Seconds passed before his urgent voice penetrated my delirious brain. “It’s okay Dave I’ve got it, help me”. Sure enough as the wounded bass ripped off my spear and went into top gear it had to get by my bruv. He’d fired an instinct shot with his big band 100 at a 50 knot blue blur and nailed it. Well gut shot actually but he just held it long enough for me to reach him and get a mouth hold on a 7.25lb bass. Half each, bruv? Yeh! Half each. Nice fish, bruv. Yeh and nice shot, bruv. Two idiots stand in 3 foot of water near an offshore reef holding a big fish and grinning at each other so hard their snorkels fall out.
Could have called it a day but well you know there’s always the next reef. So I went right and Mart went left. Mart saw little and wandered back to shore burdened by his catch. Remember I went right? Right was bass city.
The weed beds were full of bass. I took stock. One of the advantages of age and experience is calmness, been there seen that, got the tee shirt etc. Without that I’d still be out there. Anyhow, decided to only take close range headshots at decent fish. Got 3 using said philosophy and decided to leave the rest for another day. Had a last few minutes just watching as I was shoaled by about a dozen smallish bass and then hauled ass (and fish) for shore.
Mart was already, sat at the top of the beach. Luckily he’d got his camera in the van so we did the trophy shots while homeward bound commuters looked on. So somewhere near this ramble should be some pic’s.
Ho hum, another Guernsey trip report.
.Dave