Guernsey 2007

[Sarnian]

Benc, thanks for that. I saw the whole thread about these Foxfish posted and I didn't realise I'd opened a can of worms ( or crayfish!) As it is very difficult to come by "proper" seawater crayfish here nowadays, I thought I would give these a try. Unfortunately, the few we do see are I think from deep water, usually quite large ( 4-5lb) and very expensive!

 

[Andy.R]

Went in at my secret plaice yesterday, trouble is it is so secret that the fish don't know about it :head

Went in again today at Trigger Fish Reef and beyond, way way way beyond. 2 whole hours of 30 secs down 30 secs on the surface. How many flatties did I catch? The same number as I saw........ zilch!!!

What is going on? At least I caught some Mackerel this morning off the Platte, now smoking some.

Foxy what wood do you use in your smoker? I have access to cherry and beech, having used cherry for hot smoking for ages but new to cold smoking.

Andy

 

[Magpie]

Good effort Andy. I still want to know what OMD has been up to!

 

[Sarnian]

Andy if it's any consolation I also had an unsuccessful weekend. Both days I went in North East Coast - conditions not bad but vis a bit stirred up. Shot at a few decent size mullet but missed. Saw no bass. Today was a particular disaster with poor vis, fisherman in waders in the same spot, dogs barking at me from the shore, and finally a rigging failure which resulted in having to return home after a short time in.:vangry:head

Probably serves me right for my little crayfish joke!

Anyone tried Spearo Dave's pigtail swivels and boingees?

 

[foxfish]

Andy I only use oak.
Maggers he is going to make a post but it is school tomorrow!
Col all the stuff you need is available over here.

 

[Old Man Dave]

Back to work today. ARRGGHHHH!!!

Something to whet your appetite. Story of my recent exploits and tales of daring do to follow later.

Dave

 

[spicer]

Went west last week and took a large cuttlefish on the sand. I was determined to find a flatfish but despite my best efforts dis not even see a small one. The body was about 30 cm long and I managed to cut a fine steak off it. I must say that it is almost a shame to kill such a beautiful creature. But it was delicious grilled in some guernsey butter with seafood spices. Yum.

 

[Magpie]

Chuff me Dave! Thats an acceptable size...

30cm cuttle body is none too shabby either!

 

[foxfish]

Isn't that what Ed calls a carpet!

 

[Andy.R]

I also took a couple of cuttles yesterday in the abscence of any flatties, but at least now we know why there are no flatties left!!! OMD:king

I usually avoid cuttles because they are so beautiful and there is not much skill in taking them. They are nice to eat though.

Nice catch Dave. It looks a fat one. What weight?

 

[gbo200]

Hi Guys,

I was off last week and managed a number of dives, 4 in fact! They were all of short duration: < 20mins. Shortness of dives was due to not alreating my wife to my true intentions of our breaks in Herm and Sark so I could not bring most of my gear. Minimum equipment was used: mask, snorkel and speedos! Once in, actually the water temperature was not too bad and I was not even shivering when I got out.

Managed dives at Shell beach (found a legal sized chancre but showed him to my kids and let him go), Dixcart Bay twice and the Venus Pool once. Got some great photos from the Venus pool and some barely passable ones in Dixcart. The vis in Sark was outstanding in Dixcart. Was in less than 15 minutes the first time and saw a number of good sized mullet and bass, a HUGE cuttle which flashed every colour it had at me and then took off and I even landed on a hidden flatty in the sand which bolted. My impression is that there are loads of fish in that Bay. Only armed with my camera, I did not take any fish. Hope to post photos from inside the Venus pool later. Unfortuately the 35meg video I shot of the school of mullet swimming around me is likely too big to post here. Second dive at high tide in Dixcart was cool, doing drops into the sand bottom or boulders. Not sure of depth or temp as I did not even have my d3 with me. You sure hear more of what is going on in the sea when not wearing a 5mm hood!

L8er!

g.

 

[foxfish]

Sound like a great time mate - I just love Sark - will be there for 4 days over next weekend. However it was a good job you did not take your gun, you know that little prison at the end of the avenue? Well that's where they put spearos!!

 

[Magpie]

You could put the vid on Utube, its easy and free. Just sign up and upload it then post the link.

 

[Old Man Dave]

I haven’t posted much about recent catches and expeditions lately. This is in part due to the crap weather this summer and a distinct lack of fish.

I think I can make this official in that it’s been the worst flatfish year so far in my 40-year diving career. However there may be a glimmer of hope as this weekend has seen better tidings.

Back awhile I went with Marco on his last day here. He showed me how to catch fish with the score ending Italy 4 bass + 1 pollack against Guernsey’s 1 bass and 1 wrasse. At least I didn’t blank but that boy is very good. He uses a very interesting technique of searching and surprisingly few and not too long aspetto’s. Very effective though.

Been out in the boat every weekend bar one for the last 4 months. This has included some very rough trips, with some strong winds and huge seas. Had a good year on the scallops early on but then the disaster that has been the supposed flatfish season occurred. This culminated a week ago when for the first time ever in my current boat (16 years) we failed to catch even a single flatty for our day and it was bloody rough, to boot. We have been resorting to looking for a few scallops and even crabs but it was depressing.

Have done a couple of night dives and at least I have caught a few flats and reds. The last dive I managed a couple of small plaice and a small sole but it was meagre pickings for a lot of work. Did see a beautiful little turbot though but left him to grow a bit.

This weekend with the big tides (and holidays end) I was determined to make a big effort. Saturday saw me way out in the tide down west. With 25 foot vis and 25 foot depth I was desperately working the tide edge but was fighting a loosing battle against the current. Just coming up at the end of a search I spotted a big tail sticking out from under a piece of weed. As I rose I could just make out the 3 little spheres that could be 2 eyes and a mouth of a big plaice the other side of the weed to the tail. There wasn’t much to see, just a few lines in the sand and what could easily have been a few small stones but after catching a few thousand plaice I was confident in my judgement. I kicked hard on the surface to maintain position over the just discernable all important piece of weed way down on the bottom. My calf and thigh’s were heating up as I strove to stem the current by pumping the big ice fins. Adrenaline was eating the oxygen in my lungs and my chest heaved. After what seemed like an hour but was 5 minutes I was calmer and 10 foot up tide of the weed on the bottom. I dived. As I closed in I knew the thrill of being right as the tail looked more and more fishy. I moved the weed with the spear tip to reveal a HUGE plaice uncovered on the sand. Moving my grip from the handle to the rubbers on the Omer XXV, I used the loaded gun as a hand spear, driving it through the fish. Fumbling in the sand with my left hand I reached under and seized the spearhead before dragging the fish upward. On the surface I finned across tide and into the lee to string my prize. It was a huge fish which I was certain was over 7lb. However back ashore it was seen to be a bit lean and only made it into the sixes. Big fish though. In top condition I think it would have been nearly 8lb.

Managed one more plaice that day and also a first for me. My first ever tub gurnard. Seen them while on scuba and caught them on rod and trot but never had one spearfishing before. Seen some small ones at night but this one went 2lb and became a PB as well as my supper.

Yesterday went out in the boat. With a history of so few fish about I was not hopeful. Some rough seas up north and a high spring tide did not bode well. However, I was wrong. Once in the water I found perfect conditions, with good vis and a gentle trickle of tide. Had a couple of mates with me but when they’d finished messing about I did a couple of tanks and whoopee! Flatfish. Nothing special but enough big soles and plaice to cover the bottom of a fish box and more than enough to fill up my depleted freezer. Grabbing a pretty decent crab to compliment the catch and adding a couple of dozen fat mackerel taken on the rod and a good day was complete.

Bit of an epic novel this report but well you did ask what the old man had been up to.

Happy huntin’ to all.

Dave

PS the plaice with the gun is a "smaller" 4lb-er and that's another pic of the big one

 

[azapa]

lovely fish and great story, congratulations!

 

[ADM]

Great story dave, now where did I leave that spearing gear?

 

[Magpie]

Very nice Dave, thats some fish, well they both are!

Surprised you took it though, as you always say you prefer small ones :t

 

[Sarnian]

Col all the stuff you need is available over here.

Martyn - really? I'll have to give you a call. Re the restrictions around Sark - I told someone this, and they asked me exactly where the regulations about it are ( disbelieving so-and -so's!) - anyone know?
Dave - nice fish and great story! Glad to know someone else hasn't seen many fish this summer.
George - I'm envious but it must be very frustrating to have to go in around Sark armed only with a camera! Love to see the pics though. Have you seen Sue Daly's film of around Sark underwater? I was told the "rockery" area in front of Harbour Beach in Herm is a good spot - I went in once and did see a few small bass fleetingly.

 

[Spaniard]

Great catch Dave and great story! Maybe the Indian Summer will herald boatloads of fish? Here's hoping for you........

 

[Mr. X]

Great catch Dave and great story! Maybe the Indian Summer will herald boatloads of fish? Here's hoping for you........

We've also been wondering if there might be an Indian Summer -- looks like a distinct possibility.

Great post Dave - always something to learn there. What does Gurnard taste like (don't say "chicken").