Guernsey 2009

[Old Man Dave]

Forcast didn't seem too bad for a boat trip today.

Left St peter Port and sped up the east coast 'til we hit the overfalls off the NE corner. The waves breaking clean over the flybridge were a clue to slow down.

Trunddled up to the Platte Forgere lighthouse but even at 5 knots it weren't nice. The wind was WNW and howling with breaking seas. Still "He who dares Rodney" and John went in. Bit of a nightmare following the SMB even my special dahn buoy one.

Once John had done his thing we made for the shelter of Lancresse. Should have brought the surfboard and a sonar built into my mask would have helped. Vis was 2 to 3 feet, plus the bottom was surging with the swell and did I mention the dead weed everywhere?

It was home for an early bath and perhaps a quick sandwich made from what we'd caught.

Good night tides today and tomorrow but with no vis maybe not.

Dave.

 

[derek foxen]

Forcast didn't seem too bad for a boat trip today.

The waves breaking clean over the flybridge were a clue to slow down.

THE GUERNSEY-SURF-REPORT awarded today's conditions a 3 star rating Dave.AND it was sunny!
"He who dares Rodney...sometimes turns out to be a plonker!"
However anyone who does any type of fishing knows that the most unlikely conditions can spring surprises against all the odds...but I felt queasy just reading about those waves!

 

[foxfish]

We went to "cine Guernsey" halloween presentation of "evil dead II" tonight.
The film was showing at Candie museum but Sarah had to get this pic outside the cemetery just before we saw the film.

 

[Old Man Dave]

Two local birthdays this week. It's Spicer's birthday today and it was Draenog's earlier in the week. Happy Birthday you two. Unfortunately neither have been on DB much lately. In fact it's been a bit deathly quiet on here of late .

Well at least I'm struggling on. How come an old man has to show the young guns the way? One excuse for this week has been the weather. Toooo... windy and not much vis as a result. Been on hols this week and it was good tides for night and day spearing. However, since my rough boat trip last Sunday as reported above, it didn't get any better.

Eventually went in today in a sheltered westerly spot. Plenty of anglers (men not fish) around as it's the second leg of the Speccy Hunt this weekend. Vis was fishable but mainly only 6 feet or so. looked for a bass but only saw the one. It was a decent plump 3lb-er which offered me every chance and I was too slow. Also saw a mullet and a few wrasse.

Nice to go again and get my weekly fix but need a bit better conditions. Still this is night diving season and I see a big 3+lb sole was caught by a speccy hunt angler last night, so bodes well. Dark at 5pm at present and still drawing in. Can night dive and home for tea from now 'til January. Reds, soles, a few bass and a few plaice are the target. Bring it on :martial.

Dave

 

[Sarnian]

I also thought I'd pop in yesterday, as it was a good tide and there seemed to be a small window before the winds and rough sea hit.

I went to a large rocky place ( cryptic eh!) and the vis was from 2-3 ft to 5 max. in places, but there was also quite a swell. Didn't see much, and I think in this spot you need good vis as the bass I've seen often seem to be hiding 6-10 ft away in the weeds.

Anyway a chance to try out my Mares Visio mask I bought at Decathlon in France. Good visibility, but the lock on the strap doesn't seem to work too well and I kept having to adjust it. Also I'd forgotten to clean it with toothpaste, which I believe is the thing to do with new masks, so it kept steaming up.:duh

Well that looks like the end of the season, apart from night diving, once I get my Princeton Tec torch back from being repaired!

 

[scottwilson]

The NOVEMBER FOM is now open for your entries:friday:friday

http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/84626-november-fom.html#post788224

Make sure your entries are according to the rules and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

 

[Andy.Round]

Spied the familiar blue van on the way home yesterday lunchtime parked at the top of the slip out west.

Glad to hear you got in as well Colin.

I have been tied up with family, gardening, sailing and other stuff and never seem to be able to find the time to get in.

 

[Old Man Dave]

October FOM poll is open. You have up to 5 days to vote. http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/84358-october-fish-month.html . If you want to comment do it here http://forums.deeperblue.com/uk-ireland/84260-uk-fish-month-discussion-thread-2009-a.html

Dave.

 

[Sarnian]

After everyone's wise advice, I sent back my Princeton Tec Shockwave torch to Hydrotech in the UK, as they seem to be basically guaranteed for life, whatever happens to them. I bought it Dec 07, finally used it for the first time last year, when it failed immediately. After only another year, I finally got around to finding the receipt, and sent it back, not hoping for a lot. Well, they are not only replacing it, but upgrading me to the Shockwave II, which has a dual filament bulb. Shockwave II | Princeton Tec ( they no longer make the old model)

They e-mailed me and asked if that would be acceptable, so after about 2 nanoseconds I said, yeah, all right then.

Just waiting for some calm weather, good vis, good tide at the right time ... etc etc.

 

[Jonny250]

looks like a good torch col, i'm still impressed that you spent an hour in the water without your torch after it failed! jedi spearfishing...

 

[Sarnian]

I did have a small torch - and the reflected glow from yours!

 

[Jonny250]

Going to try for a dive over the low this evening (6ish) - anyone up for it?
vis looks adequate...

 

[Sarnian]

Still waiting for torch. And it's pouring with rain anyway, Jonny! Went past the NW and it looked quite still - as far as I could see through the sheets of rain! Also saw a familiar blue van going past me - I shouted at him but he seemed to be busy grabbing a quick supper on the hoof!

Good luck boys!

 

[Old Man Dave]

It was worth a try tonight but vis was only 6 to 8 foot where I was. Fishable but not good. Not a lot about either.

Wind is force 3 today and yesterday was similar but forcast says back to F7 tomorrow. It's been 3 weeks of constant strong winds now and I'm struggling to get in and catch anything. Got withdrawl symptoms. Only good point is it does clear quick this time of year if you get 2+ days of light winds. Well, maybe next week.

Maybe Jonny did better.

Dave.

 

[Jonny250]

Nooooo.
didnt fare much better :-[]
saw a black bream when i got in - little one - but maybe asleep as it just stayed right next to me for a bit.
didnt find any flatties but not surprising given the swelly.
saw a good size squid - followed it around for a bit very graceful.
had a bass about 2.5lb, dinner for tomorrow.
back in to cook a lamb shoulder stew

vis was around 1-2m but better out further maybe 3-4m; dont like being so far out at night in low vis tho.

c'mon Col get yer light sabre going...
well done dave for getting in

 

[Old Man Dave]

Well done to you too Jonny. So there's at least 2 nutters in Guernsey.

Just eaten an absolutely excellent tea of small plaice fillets and jolly good they were too. Was tempted to go again tonight but the howling wind and torrential rain put me off. It was partly a whimp thing but also my freezer is well stocked and saving a few brownie points as it must get better soon.

Been looking back over some DB posts of mine from this time 2008 and 2007. Some good catches. I actually remember diving both those years around (but not on) Nov. 5th and seeing the sky light up with fireworks. Both dives were in calm conditions to one of my favourite night spots and both produced fine catches of flatties. Not this year though. Bloody weather.

Maybe next week.

Dave.

 

[Jonny250]

Maybe next week.

Lol have you seen the forecast!
Met Office: Surface pressure forecast

i'm trying to figure where i can get some in-water photos of some of guernsey landmarks, with waves breaking over them... for example - the airport...!
its gonna be pretty wild for a few days.

 

[Magpie]

Yer both mad! Keep up the good work.

 

[foxfish]

You might spot some db members tonight if you watch ....

 

[azapa]

hey Foxy, could you record it and upload for us poor non-uk types to watch? Maybe the program will be available on the web afterwards..? cheers