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Guernsey 2006
- Thread starter portinfer
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
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Went in this morning for a bass hunt down west just after low water on the dead neap. Was supposed to go out in my boat but for the sixth weekend in a row it's been too rough.
Anyhow life conspired to prevent me getting in 'til 9am and boy was it a dead neap. My neap tide weed beds were 8 to 10 foot deep instead of 4 to 6 foot deep. Also instead of walking down the beach had to swim out. One consolation was that the vis was a fishable 15 ft which was better than I expected and there was no swell either.
Saw a few small mullet and a single too small bass on the swim out. An hour in the bootlace weed beds resulted in a total no fish show except for 2 medium wrasse. Inshore the bladder wrack was wonderful to mooch through and when the sun came out very picturesque. However a handful of small mullet was all I saw in the next hour. Eventually right inshore in only 18 inches of water came across a nice bass in the 4 lb bracket. Came up from three quarters astern and I know he didn't see me but I must be out of practice on bass stealthing 'cause I spooked him. Had my mamba 90 today (inspired by Mart's new mamba cannon) and let go a shot at the basses tail as it disappeared into the gloom. Heard or probably more likely felt the hit. The line tightened, shuddered and went slack. Spear had pulled out. That's only 1 bass landed from 3 shot in the last week or so. Think I need to practice.
The Mamba felt great. I must admit I haven't used it much and I'd forgotten how small, light and maneuverable it is. Used Mart's new pressure gauge and found I had 20 bar in, which makes it easy to load (with practice) but still very powerful. If only i could aim the bloody thing. Good excuse to go a bit more, as if I need an excuse :t .
Dave
Anyhow life conspired to prevent me getting in 'til 9am and boy was it a dead neap. My neap tide weed beds were 8 to 10 foot deep instead of 4 to 6 foot deep. Also instead of walking down the beach had to swim out. One consolation was that the vis was a fishable 15 ft which was better than I expected and there was no swell either.
Saw a few small mullet and a single too small bass on the swim out. An hour in the bootlace weed beds resulted in a total no fish show except for 2 medium wrasse. Inshore the bladder wrack was wonderful to mooch through and when the sun came out very picturesque. However a handful of small mullet was all I saw in the next hour. Eventually right inshore in only 18 inches of water came across a nice bass in the 4 lb bracket. Came up from three quarters astern and I know he didn't see me but I must be out of practice on bass stealthing 'cause I spooked him. Had my mamba 90 today (inspired by Mart's new mamba cannon) and let go a shot at the basses tail as it disappeared into the gloom. Heard or probably more likely felt the hit. The line tightened, shuddered and went slack. Spear had pulled out. That's only 1 bass landed from 3 shot in the last week or so. Think I need to practice.
The Mamba felt great. I must admit I haven't used it much and I'd forgotten how small, light and maneuverable it is. Used Mart's new pressure gauge and found I had 20 bar in, which makes it easy to load (with practice) but still very powerful. If only i could aim the bloody thing. Good excuse to go a bit more, as if I need an excuse :t .
Dave
Well like Foxfish I also got my new toy yesterday. The wife wanted to wrap it up and keep it for my birthday (Dec.) as it's an early birthday present!
Picture attached showing rig a la Foxfish ( many thanks again Mart). Although tides and all other conditions not ideal, went in yesterday around 4.30 as we were going out at 7 ( and I'm not into night diving yet!). Was intending just to have target practice at a weighted bag, but the vis wasn't too bad, considering, at Port Grat around the corner from the knife where it looked a bit calmer. Went around into the Knife lagoon just to have a look, but it was fairly wild and stirred up. I did still manage to see, and shoot a 2lb mullet, only just through the bottom of the stomach ( I think it's aiming low). Thought I'd missed as I saw the spear fishless, but in fact it was so powerful it had gone straight through and the fish was strung on the line! I quickly hauled it in before it broke off. On the way back around the corner again, saw a few small bass in the shallows chasing sandeels, but too quick to draw a bead on them.
Went in again this morning at around 10 for more target practice, although again it didn't look too favourable. L'Ancresse was ideal - for surfing - so I tried Chouet, which looked relatively calm, by where the boats are moored on the right. Vis not great but again better than expected.Saw some decent sized rockies, then shot a probably 3lb mullet - again too low, pulled it up but it wriggled off. ( I'll have to adjust my sights a couple of clicks!
). Did get another 2lb mullet though, so still more interesting than shooting bags!
Very pleased with the Mamba - easy to load ( especially compared to Foxfish's new monster - Mart you'll have to wear platform boots! ) One thing I mentioned to Mart was the absence of a screw in plastic cap covering the valve where you pump it up, which I've got on my Beuchat pneumatic - there is a thread in there, and the " istruzioni" do show a part which screws in (no.26- valvola precaria). Has anyone else got one fitted? Perhaps we can ask our Italian friends?
Also Mart, the line appear to have stretched - perhaps from me pulling on it when the spear got stuck in some weed. It's still just about tight enough, but should I shorten it and re-crimp?
Picture attached showing rig a la Foxfish ( many thanks again Mart). Although tides and all other conditions not ideal, went in yesterday around 4.30 as we were going out at 7 ( and I'm not into night diving yet!). Was intending just to have target practice at a weighted bag, but the vis wasn't too bad, considering, at Port Grat around the corner from the knife where it looked a bit calmer. Went around into the Knife lagoon just to have a look, but it was fairly wild and stirred up. I did still manage to see, and shoot a 2lb mullet, only just through the bottom of the stomach ( I think it's aiming low). Thought I'd missed as I saw the spear fishless, but in fact it was so powerful it had gone straight through and the fish was strung on the line! I quickly hauled it in before it broke off. On the way back around the corner again, saw a few small bass in the shallows chasing sandeels, but too quick to draw a bead on them.
Went in again this morning at around 10 for more target practice, although again it didn't look too favourable. L'Ancresse was ideal - for surfing - so I tried Chouet, which looked relatively calm, by where the boats are moored on the right. Vis not great but again better than expected.Saw some decent sized rockies, then shot a probably 3lb mullet - again too low, pulled it up but it wriggled off. ( I'll have to adjust my sights a couple of clicks!
). Did get another 2lb mullet though, so still more interesting than shooting bags!Very pleased with the Mamba - easy to load ( especially compared to Foxfish's new monster - Mart you'll have to wear platform boots!
) One thing I mentioned to Mart was the absence of a screw in plastic cap covering the valve where you pump it up, which I've got on my Beuchat pneumatic - there is a thread in there, and the " istruzioni" do show a part which screws in (no.26- valvola precaria). Has anyone else got one fitted? Perhaps we can ask our Italian friends?Also Mart, the line appear to have stretched - perhaps from me pulling on it when the spear got stuck in some weed. It's still just about tight enough, but should I shorten it and re-crimp?
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Went fishing today as I had two people paying me for it so couldn't refuse...
Looked very spearable around L'Eree, Lihou and the shinglebank as the wind was east there was only a very light shop on the surface ad no swell. The Viz was good from above the surface and wished I could have gone in. Didn't catch nowt but rockies but I feel it was the non-existent tide and lack of water doing the damage to the fishing. Needed to be further out in the weed I reckon.
Looked very spearable around L'Eree, Lihou and the shinglebank as the wind was east there was only a very light shop on the surface ad no swell. The Viz was good from above the surface and wished I could have gone in. Didn't catch nowt but rockies but I feel it was the non-existent tide and lack of water doing the damage to the fishing. Needed to be further out in the weed I reckon.
Foxy
I have a 115 Seac sub thats a sod to load in the water, but as you know practice makes slightly more gracefull! I like the way mine clicks into place just underneath my throat.
Enjoy blowing fish less than 5lb apart!
B.
I have a 115 Seac sub thats a sod to load in the water, but as you know practice makes slightly more gracefull! I like the way mine clicks into place just underneath my throat.
Enjoy blowing fish less than 5lb apart!
B.
Hi matefoxfish said:
I meant it's shooting slightly lower than where you're aiming - hence often just hitting the bottom of the fish. Thanks again for the offer - got tied up with family roast dinner etc this evening. I'll PM you.
Cheers
Colin
Sort yourself out with a bungee Colin, that'll take up any slack in the line. Mono does stretch, which is one of the reasons I prefer braid, but most experienced spearos seem to use mono so what do I know!
I make my bungees out of some 6mm elastic cord (cheap as chips from any chandler). I tie an overhand knot in the elastic around the braid, wrap the line round the cord (about a foot or so) in quite tight coils, then tie another overhand at the far end (the knots have to be VERY tight, I use pliers). This way the bungee stretches to take up any slack and tension the line on the gun but you've still got the strength of the mainline. I'll try to put up a pic later.
Haven't tried my mamba yet, and the tides are so pants I probably won't for a few days yet, and I did feel a bit inadequate next to Foxy and his Boa!
Edit: Ah, looking at your pic it looks like you've got one of them omer jobbies, I tried them but found them too short and not stretchy enough, I find a decent length is always useful....
I make my bungees out of some 6mm elastic cord (cheap as chips from any chandler). I tie an overhand knot in the elastic around the braid, wrap the line round the cord (about a foot or so) in quite tight coils, then tie another overhand at the far end (the knots have to be VERY tight, I use pliers). This way the bungee stretches to take up any slack and tension the line on the gun but you've still got the strength of the mainline. I'll try to put up a pic later.
Haven't tried my mamba yet, and the tides are so pants I probably won't for a few days yet, and I did feel a bit inadequate next to Foxy and his Boa!
Edit: Ah, looking at your pic it looks like you've got one of them omer jobbies, I tried them but found them too short and not stretchy enough, I find a decent length is always useful....
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After yesterday mornings nice but unproductive dive I decided to pop in for a quick night dive last evening. Decided on west coast, Chouet as the wind was howling from the east.
First off as I was changing just on dark about 7pm, 2 anglers arrived and got out some beach casting kit. Spoke to them saying we were going to be in competition but I'd keep out of their way. To be honest i don't think they knew what I was on about. Got the impression they hadn't seen a night diver before. They did say they'd come here as L'Ancresse was blown out. Also said they'd had 5 bass to 4.5 lb the night before.
Anyhow they were a pain as they set up in the middle of the beach and cast out. Had to go out quite a way so as not to annoy them. Vis was excellent (which amazed me) and there was no swell although there was some nasty wind chop as you got far out. It was black as coal. If there was a moon it was hidden. You can usually orientate yourself in Chouet by the Vale church spire which is lit up at night. I find you can get your general position (unless Ed's leading the way
) but its hard to be accurate and really wanted to avoid the worm drowners.
So a couple of hundred yards out in the darkness I had a few dives in 15 foot. Worked my way out to a max of about 20 foot. You could see the bottom clearly with the C8 torch on 13 watt. Had to dive to find fish of course but at least you could navigate and work an area from the surface without blind diving. Quickly saw some plaice and by the end of the dive the total seen was close to a dozen. Mainly small but legal size. Just took the 3 biggest and left the rest to grow. Found a nice brill of about 1.5lb which I took and saw a small turbot which I left. Plenty of sole (40 or 50) but all about 4 inches long. Saw 2 just size ones, over 10 inches but left them as too small. The legal size on all flatfish is pretty small - too small really :naughty . Saw a couple of tiny red mullet and another beautiful tub gurnard. At one point a medium blonde ray of about 5lb cruised past. Let it be. Found a 4lb bass sitting on the bottom, out in the open and shot it through the top of the head from 3 inch range. Definitely a kill shot.
That was about it. Swam ashore well away from the anglers and no abuse (or anything else) was hurled but I didn't push my luck and show off my fish.
Happy Hunting.
Dave
First off as I was changing just on dark about 7pm, 2 anglers arrived and got out some beach casting kit. Spoke to them saying we were going to be in competition but I'd keep out of their way. To be honest i don't think they knew what I was on about. Got the impression they hadn't seen a night diver before. They did say they'd come here as L'Ancresse was blown out. Also said they'd had 5 bass to 4.5 lb the night before.
Anyhow they were a pain as they set up in the middle of the beach and cast out. Had to go out quite a way so as not to annoy them. Vis was excellent (which amazed me) and there was no swell although there was some nasty wind chop as you got far out. It was black as coal. If there was a moon it was hidden. You can usually orientate yourself in Chouet by the Vale church spire which is lit up at night. I find you can get your general position (unless Ed's leading the way
) but its hard to be accurate and really wanted to avoid the worm drowners. So a couple of hundred yards out in the darkness I had a few dives in 15 foot. Worked my way out to a max of about 20 foot. You could see the bottom clearly with the C8 torch on 13 watt. Had to dive to find fish of course but at least you could navigate and work an area from the surface without blind diving. Quickly saw some plaice and by the end of the dive the total seen was close to a dozen. Mainly small but legal size. Just took the 3 biggest and left the rest to grow. Found a nice brill of about 1.5lb which I took and saw a small turbot which I left. Plenty of sole (40 or 50) but all about 4 inches long. Saw 2 just size ones, over 10 inches but left them as too small. The legal size on all flatfish is pretty small - too small really :naughty . Saw a couple of tiny red mullet and another beautiful tub gurnard. At one point a medium blonde ray of about 5lb cruised past. Let it be. Found a 4lb bass sitting on the bottom, out in the open and shot it through the top of the head from 3 inch range. Definitely a kill shot.
That was about it. Swam ashore well away from the anglers and no abuse (or anything else) was hurled but I didn't push my luck and show off my fish.
Happy Hunting.
Dave
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Magpie said:
Hi Tom
I thought you'd been quiet, with your new toy! Very frustrating in the current conditions, and next weekend doesn't look any better. Foxy did think about elastic braid, and perhaps we'll replace the bungee.
Perhaps we can all get together for a "Mamba Hunt" once we're sorted.
Cheers
Colin
Another very successful outing Brother Dave.I wish I was still a comparative youth like you and I could visit these exciting nightspots that resound to deep bass reverbrations,where blondes and red mullets can be admired,plaices that invite you in and where delicate lost soles abound! VVVOMD:crutch
Seems like we're both turbo[t]-charged tonight Colin -absolutely brill-or is it all just a bream? I tope not as that would leave us feeling down at 'eel-a couple of right pollacks!
PLEASE BELIEVE THE FOLLOWING:
When our road was up my neighbour JOHN DOREY was riding on his PIKE when he fell into the workmen's TENCH and was heard to exclaim angrily "My COD! I've broke my BLENNY LONG-NOSE!"
PARROT FISH can often be found sitting on PERCH.
This may be just a legend:When Julius Caesar [ an extremely keen fisherman ] landed down by the Salerie he declared triumphantly
"VENI VEDI VICI"
which translates as " I CAME,I SAW, I CONGERED!"
When our road was up my neighbour JOHN DOREY was riding on his PIKE when he fell into the workmen's TENCH and was heard to exclaim angrily "My COD! I've broke my BLENNY LONG-NOSE!"
PARROT FISH can often be found sitting on PERCH.
This may be just a legend:When Julius Caesar [ an extremely keen fisherman ] landed down by the Salerie he declared triumphantly
"VENI VEDI VICI"
which translates as " I CAME,I SAW, I CONGERED!"
I really don't want some of what you boys have been taking!
Back to the matters at hand, my mamba was crying out to me to get it wet when I got home after work so I went in at high tide to Rocquaine. What did I see? Jack all, couple of mullet and that was in. Nothing to unleash the beast on at all.
So I contented myself shooting up weed. Unfortunately my gun seemed to lack the speed of light spear velocity that I'd been led to expect. Dave kindly showed me the correct way to seal the barrel so hopefully that'll sort it.
Power issue asside my first outing with it revealed 2 problems:
1) I see what you boys mean by being front heavy. I've put a couple of neoprene wraps around the muzzle to combat this in the short term.
2) The handle is too small! It fits my hand when ungloved but I use 5mm and with them I can only get 2 fingers on the handle, which, combined with the constant strain due to the front end weight lead to it being quite uncomfortable to hold. The neoprene will help, as will some handle surgery with my dremel...
And another job it to find some clips to hold the 6.5mm spear to the barrel when its not loaded, its a bit of a hassle carrying the spear and gun together.
Here's some pics, including some of my bungee set-up (on the slack and tensioned) that we were talking about before:
Back to the matters at hand, my mamba was crying out to me to get it wet when I got home after work so I went in at high tide to Rocquaine. What did I see? Jack all, couple of mullet and that was in. Nothing to unleash the beast on at all.
So I contented myself shooting up weed. Unfortunately my gun seemed to lack the speed of light spear velocity that I'd been led to expect. Dave kindly showed me the correct way to seal the barrel so hopefully that'll sort it.
Power issue asside my first outing with it revealed 2 problems:
1) I see what you boys mean by being front heavy. I've put a couple of neoprene wraps around the muzzle to combat this in the short term.
2) The handle is too small! It fits my hand when ungloved but I use 5mm and with them I can only get 2 fingers on the handle, which, combined with the constant strain due to the front end weight lead to it being quite uncomfortable to hold. The neoprene will help, as will some handle surgery with my dremel...
And another job it to find some clips to hold the 6.5mm spear to the barrel when its not loaded, its a bit of a hassle carrying the spear and gun together.
Here's some pics, including some of my bungee set-up (on the slack and tensioned) that we were talking about before:
Attachments
For all you dark side converts or potential converts here is a short video, in French, for the Mamba 90. If anything else you see a nice bass!
http://www.chasse-sous-marine.com/videoweb/index.htm
Click on Fusil maorisub mamba90
http://www.chasse-sous-marine.com/videoweb/index.htm
Click on Fusil maorisub mamba90
Thanks Spaniard, I hadn't seen that vid. There are LOADS of vids of Mamba's in action on theuir website: www.maorisub.it IIRC.
Been really busy since saturday. Family stuff and work.
As I said last saturday I went in down at rocquaine coming up to the low tide. I swam out through the thong weed beds. Nothing absolutely nothing not even a small mullet or rockie or anything. And the viz was poor. I headed out over the sand towards l'eree, and saw this chap (well I saw his eyes) If you look at the picture you can see he has been 'got' by something (conger?) with 4.5 " wide jaws (remind me not to night dive rocquaine
Slept through my alarm on sunday am and got involved wioth other stuff sunday eve. The forecast looks grim for the next few days and the weekend although if there is a quiet spot I may have to go in.
Your mambas look the biz boys I'm dead jealous
Andy
As I said last saturday I went in down at rocquaine coming up to the low tide. I swam out through the thong weed beds. Nothing absolutely nothing not even a small mullet or rockie or anything. And the viz was poor. I headed out over the sand towards l'eree, and saw this chap (well I saw his eyes) If you look at the picture you can see he has been 'got' by something (conger?) with 4.5 " wide jaws (remind me not to night dive rocquaine
Slept through my alarm on sunday am and got involved wioth other stuff sunday eve. The forecast looks grim for the next few days and the weekend although if there is a quiet spot I may have to go in.
Your mambas look the biz boys I'm dead jealous
Andy
Attachments
Spaniard said:
Hi I'll do a summary translation for anyone that's interested, but basically he's singing the praises of the Mamba for accuracy, power for its size and quietness. One interesting thing is that he checks the pressure with a gauge - he says the max. is 24 Bar but he usually pumps it to 21, as then he can still load it by hand if he loses his puller!