Guernsey 2009

[Old Man Dave]

I popped in and saw little. Vis was fishable and the 2 mullet I saw were huge, probably 5+lb. wasn't after mullet so they were allowed to pass. Saw a couple of big wrasse but ditto the mullet. Saw one bass and made a brilliant (lucky ), quick reaction, stoning head shot, firing almost from the hip. Was proud of that one. Only went 3lb odd (GG size :t), but better than nothing and it was just a quick 1 hour dive.

Dave.

Pic to follow.

 

[ep_haury]

Another sound question, but it'll require someone who's seen the videos in Sue Daly's "Secret Seas of the Channel Islands" to answer. Did the sounds that fish, crustaceans, etc seem to make in those video sound tight (whether they are the real sounds make by those creatures is inconsequential for my purposes)? Some sound possible, but then when I hear an implied zapping "sound" made by the electric ray, I do start to wonder.

PS Any of you ever encountered or been zapped by one of those rays? Any stories, legends about those rays that you know, especially tales that date back to before when electricity was understood?

 

[Andy.Round]

I think that the noises are dubbed in for the sake of a good film, I don't think fish have a machanism for making noise. The only exception I can think of are Crayfish which locally are called 'creekers' because of the noise they make, when I think they rub the plates of their tail shell together. Whether this noise is on purpose or just incidental I have no idea. Mammals, Dolphins, seals, whales etc all make noise and this is well documented.

 

[Rouge Moullet]

I know puffer fish and gurnards make a noise but only heard them above water. Didnt three boys out snorkeling get zapped by the same electric ray or have i dreamt that up ?

 

[ep_haury]

Thank you once more.

One other question, not actually related to the sea (maybe). In centuries past, how did Sark get fresh water?

 

[foxfish]

There are one or two fresh water streams but there would of been numinous wells dug.

 

[ADM]

Saw what I thought was a spearo at first last night about 9.45 as it was well into dusk, about 5 yards off the shore at Paradis but as I got closer I realised the "spearo" would have to be 8ft tall and 30 stone to fit what I was seeing... The "spearo" then carried out a superb breathhold, snorting loudly as he slid under the water for a 5 minute foray surfacing about 50 yards away towards the island seemingly not worried by the mid flood tide hammering through.

So unless we have some spearo here that fits that description, that was a monster seal!!

Apologies if it really was a spearo!! It was half light and I'm not all that observant. Had a couple of bites on crab but the floating green weed down there was unbelievable.

 

[Andy.Round]

Went in again after work yesterday, same time same place. Big mistake. There was a big swell still running and viz was down to the end of the gun in places L Only stayed in for 30 mins, long enough though to see the odd grey tail disappearing into the murk and a couple of flashes of silver.

Out sailing tonight so won’t be able to go in, has been interesting experience though going in at the same spot every day and at the same time for the last 4 days will try again for Friday

Ps I think I’ve got Bass fever and am determined to make this spot work for me, I know the fish are there. Interesting about the seal Andy, there was a big one down at Rocquaine last week I believe

 

[foxfish]

Good idea AR, I think going to same spot under differing conditions will eventually paint a picture - good luck.

 

[ADM]

It works with angling IMO. You will find that a spot fishes well with certain tidal state and size and less important wind direction. I have a few spots which only fish on certain tide states but the wind direction only effects comfort.

I expect spearing would be a similar story?

 

[Sarnian]

A rare treat... !

 

[foxfish]

Nice one Col, the last one I bought cost over £100 but it did feed 8 people.

 

[Andy.Round]

Bloomin hell Colin where did you catch that? Entry in FOM?

Supposed to be out sailing round the Roche Douvres tomorrow, now thats one place I would love to dive.

 

[Sarnian]

Sorry just teasing - I was lucky to get the last one from Seafresh. It was a reasonable price and should be plenty for our Swiss visitors - 5 of us, plus leftovers for lunch. Mrs Sarnian's brother, though a local, has never tasted it!

 

[Old Man Dave]

Diving, with or without scuba for crays is totally illegal in Guernsey although not in the UK. Used to be legal over here and I caught a fair few. They are a fantastic sight, especially a big bull cray sitting ontop a boulder facing the tide in 100ft plus of water.

Pressure from potters led to the diving ban and also a ban on netting. There was no evidence that diving was overfishing crays (unlike nets) and in fact an investigation by fisheries experts only a few years ago recommended lifting the ban regarding diving for crays but it was too political so never happened.

The numbers of crays seems to have declined dramatically in the last 10 years. Don't suppose it has anything to do with the 8 miles of nets that used to be set daily off the west coast. These nets were legal as they were "ray" nets. Just so happens ray and cray nets are identical :vangry.

Dave.

 

[Jonny250]

That's a sweet looking cray Col! is it local? i guess so if from seafresh?

Dave i'm always impressed with your vast knowledge of fishing etc in the area (and your ability to share what you know) - you should write a book - seriously! (just dont mention mermaids ;-) )

 

[scottie3030]

That's a sweet looking cray Col! is it local? i guess so if from seafresh?

Dave i'm always impressed with your vast knowledge of fishing etc in the area (and your ability to share what you know) - you should write a book - seriously! (just dont mention mermaids ;-) )

and what a book it would be. i know id buy a copy. what dave dosent know about the sea isnt worth knowing

 

[foxfish]

I have found that cooking crays a bit stressful in the past, to start with they can be huge & unlike other crustaceans they are not readily available so there is little chance to experiment with cooking times etc.
I have cooked quite a few & found the meat sweet but almost tough!
However I think with the next one I will give it extra care & considering that I now boil the average lobster for 3 mins compared to 12 or 15 mins of years gone by!
With lobsters I think it is important to get a really large quantity of salted water up to a rolling boil & ensure the crab is at room temp or at least not very cold, then you start to time the the three mins when the water starts to re boil.
With a 10lb cray you would need a very serious heat source otherwise it going to be in the pot for to long.

 

[Sarnian]

Exactly - that's why I had them cook it for me!

Pics of the final piece de resistance. Perhaps there will be some around in August?

 

[devondave]

foxfish have you tried butter-poached lobster ? It was the French Laundry's signature dish , and so I suppose must be one of the best dishes in the world . ( French Laundry voted best restaurant in the world more than once . )
You steep the lobster in salted boiling water for a few minutes to loosen the meat , a bit longer for the claws . Once the meat is removed , poach it in clarified butter for five or six minutes , and thats it .
The meat looks uncooked , but tastes cooked , I think the idea of butter-poaching is to not lose any moisture or flavour .
I tried this at chistmas and have to say it was the best lobster I've ever had , the leftovers only made it past three guests , they spent the rest of the meal being glared at by the others . Never tried it with a cray but it should work the same .