Managed to get in for 2 dives today and bloody cold it was too. Not so much in the water but that north wind on wet hands and face coming up the beach was numbing.
Went in at 4pm to catch the last of the daylight to look for a bit of kit one of my mates had dropped. Didn't find it but was a nice half hour diving in 20 foot with calm-ish water and nearly-see-the-bottom vis. A few wrasse were near the reef and a solitary garfish circled me at one point.
Not having found the lost item I climbed back over the rocks and back down the lane to my car. Had brought my torch and gun so decided to drive to the other side of the bay and try for a flatfish as it was now dark. Could have just gone back down onto the nearby sandy beach where I knew conditions were good but no I decided that that other bit of grass was bound to be greener so I'd move. Big mistake.
Having driven the half mile still in my suit i proceeded down the beach and into the water just as the last red of the sunset vanished. Beautiful. Was looking forward to the dive. Wading out in a couple of foot of water and couldn't see the bottom. Swell, crap vis, dead weed on the bottom, YUK!
Swam out a couple of hundred yards and it got worse. Turned around and came home. This year is the pits. Even if you find some calm water and even if you find a bit of vis then there's still no gaurantee that anywhere else is okay.
I'm still managing to get in occasionaly and I have filled most of my freezer but it's a struggle, that's for sure. Haven't had any large fish and must admit haven't posted much lately plus haven't had a camera for a couple of months so no pic's either. Got the camera sorted now so maybe i'll catch something worth snapping.
Good night dive tides this week but crap forcast, as ever, plus I'm committed every night from now 'til Friday. Never mind it gives that big bass/turbot/cod/etc time to grow a bit bigger.
Dave
