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Guernsey 2010

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#661
Oh, Yes Derek I was expecting it. Not may fish take a whole 1lb mackerel flapper on a 10/0 catfish hook.

I lost the beast though, hooked a monster which I couldn't hold in the tide, it's an area well known for big eels but this one was really big (the 19lb one above wasn't that hard to bring in, not really taking much line), line just peeled off like he didn't know anything about it before he spat the hook.
 
#662
No easy landing any conger and a nigh 20lb-er is a great catch. I used to spear a fair ew but haven't done so for years although I have seen (and videoed) a few recently.

Spearing conger is a great "sport" but I don't kill what I don't eat and conger I no longer consume. It's really suprising that they are so bony as you would think with their sinuous body there were no bones. In fact they're stuffed full of little needle bones. I have heard it said that if you cut them into little boneless chunks and deep fry then then they make good eating. Personally I find them smelly, slimy and generally unappertising.

Despite all this I do remember the thrill of pulling the trigger on a big eel. My heart would always be in my mouth.

Dave.
 
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#663
Old Man Dave said:
Despite all this I do remember the thrill of pulling the trigger on a big eel. My heart would always be in my mouth.

And here is Dave with one of those beasties! (about 35 years ago)
Click to expand...
 

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#665
I met two spearos in the car park at Cobo yesterday. I gave this forum a plug so, if you chaps are reading (lurking), get yourselves signed up and join the party!

Marcel
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#667
I've been in the last few days, vis has been variable but its been nice to do some dives and just sit on the bottom amongst the seaweed and debris in the water. Tonight my drops were very shallow and the surge from the swell was over 2 metres, so it was hang on to a big lump of weed and go with the flow... vis was ok once further out, but i banged my head on the suspended silt on the way in!!
On the plus side, there are still fish around, although i'm being picky still, so none on my spear!

Dave's scooter plan looks a good one, i've been toying with finding a quicker and easier method of getting 'out' rather than swimming (which i'm rubbish at) so maybe i'll make a kneel-board surfboard over the winter, a bit like the south africaan ones i've seen. needs to be super-light, but that bit wider for kneeling on...

my elios suit is finally giving up at the seams, so i've ordered a new one, i decided to try an Elios Black Shadow with all the slippery linings. Supposed to be able to be put on without lube :) i must say a big thanks to the various people that have offered me advice on suits along the way... I'm still hopeful for one of those one-piece suits too Ian...

about plans for the next year, i hope to get some slightly deeper dives in (comfort at 15-18m would be nice), i have planned a week at Vobster Quay, so just need a buddy...
also on a super-neap tide (like last week) i think that the Schole would be worth a dive. We had less than a knot of drift for over an hour last weekend, depths as little as 30ft, Brill in 45ft, so pushing myself there...
There's also a couple of wrecks that i never got to this year, either from not finding them, or because i didnt quite get the depth i hoped to - reality catching up with me lol.
 
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#668
Good on you for getting in despite the swell Jonny, doesn't sound like fun to me!

Keep letting us know about the viz, I've got a bit naffed off with not being able to see owt but murk this year.
 
#671
The forcast had been so good for today that i took a few hours out and headed down the beach with the kayak and spear. vis was actually pretty good considering the swell, around 4m down, more on the bottom. i didnt see any silver bars, although i did see zillions of wrasse, they seem to like the rougher conditions as i often see more of them when its swelly. It was a new spot for me, a place to return to on a calmer day...
 
#672
Looked nice out there today. Came very close to taking a dip, but the missus had a headache so I was lumbered with the kids. Doesn't look so good for tomorrow with some strong winds forecast.
 
#673
I have been off work for four weeks during the last six due to a back injury!
Just about better now though - the sea did look nice this morning.
No doubt this is the best time of year for flatfish, in fact, probably the best time of year for all fish!
You just know Dave would of been going virtually every night....
I used to really worry about him sometimes, I thought he might get lost at sea or swim into a net or something like that!
I am a very keen cook, Dave could supply me with fish, pretty much all year around .... never been that keen on night diving myself but i am going to miss them fish suppers.
 
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#675
I bet there are some incredible pictures. First time I met Dave was when I was working in Herm at the Whitehouse in 1978. Into the kitchen came these two divers with a dustbin full (and I mean FULL) of flatfish. We paid cash no questions asked, I remember my jaw just dropped to the floor.
 
#676
Yep plenty like that!
I can see why Dave would never post pics like that on the forum, but we are talking 30 years ago when he was commercial fishing, they do point out just how many fish there were all those years ago!
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#677
Mart - I loved those pictorial 'guides' he made up like the one on his boat refit, but my favourite which inspired me was the work he and Ed did gun building - really enjoyed that. Also really appreciated your family's hospitality when we all came over to Guern a few years ago.
 
#678
As most of you know it's Dave's funeral tomorrow at 10.30am. We are going to do a speargun guard of honour which everyone is welcome to be part of.

If you want to join in please meet at St Paul's by Vale School at 9.45am so we can agree exactly what we are doing.
 
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