How To's of Catalina Island Spearing

[AB Diver]

I have been looking into making a trip out to catalina island in middle june. I have been researching different ways to make an affordable weekend trip. All I can come up with is lots of questions and expensive alternative.

So can anyone who has done a spearing trip out there give me some advice on how it's done.

Say for example, to go to avalon or twin harbors? Is it possible to walk to a good area? and if so where?, or does one have to rent a boat? Are there any restrictions to tent camping on the beach. What would one do with any fish they may get?

Thanks for any and all advice, Ken

 

[calicojack]

good questions - I'm interested too!!!

 

[Polystigma]

I am diving and spearing Catalina this weekend on my buddies boat. We usually go every other weekend.

You can take the Catalina express over to Avalon. Then you hike East down the road until you get past Lovers Cove (this cove is protected). You will see the helicopter pad on the beach. Get in right there and start swimming East. There is some kelp that is growing again there. You will have a very good chance at finding some nice Calicos to shoot.

I have salso heard that you can take the boat to Two Harbors. And enter from the shore there to spear. However, I am not sure of which way to swim.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

You can take the Catalina express over to Avalon. Then you hike East down the road until you get past Lovers Cove (this cove is protected). You will see the helicopter pad on the beach. Get in right there and start swimming East. There is some kelp that is growing again there. You will have a very good chance at finding some nice Calicos to shoot.

By June, there will also be a good chance of finding some yellowtail in that area. The shallow area is quite narrow, and then it drops off steeply. Just cruise along out where you can barely see the bottom and look for schools coming by. I often anchor below the Avalon Garbage dump, which is out that road.

I don't know about camping in the Avalon area though.

I have salso heard that you can take the boat to Two Harbors. And enter from the shore there to spear. However, I am not sure of which way to swim.

I dive a few spots off of Twin Harbors, but they would be a very long swim from shore. However, there may be spots that I don't know about that are accessible from shore. There is a lot of camping at Twin Harbors.

Another spot where you can camp fairly close to good diving is Little Harbor on the back (ocean side). I believe that you can take a bus there from Avalon or Twin Harbors, and right outside the harbor is a nice kelp bed that can hold a lot of white sea bass.

 

[AB Diver]

Thanks fellas,

This answers a lot of questions for me. It may be a possible trip after all. I can't wait to get into some yellowtail and WSB. :martial

Polystigma: How big of a boat does it take to make the trip across to catalina? Just curious because I could use my friends 20 ft boston whaler if that is large enough to make it?

Thanks, ken

 

[Bill McIntyre]

A 20 foot Whaler is plenty big enough, assuming it isn't blowing like it is today.

A good friend of mine did laps around Catalina for years in his 16'-7" Whaler, although last year he finally went up to a 19' Outrage.

 

[AB Diver]

Thanks Bill,

Where do you launch to get out there? Is there anywhere to leave a vehicle overnight? and what are the parking fees?

 

[Polystigma]

Thanks Bill,

Where do you launch to get out there? Is there anywhere to leave a vehicle overnight? and what are the parking fees?

A 20ft whaler is very doable. I used to have a 21ft Trophy and we used to go all the way out to San Clemente island! Catalina was never a problem as long as the conditions were decent.

You can launch out of San Pedro/ Cabrillo Beach launch ramp. I am not too sure on the fees and overnight anymore. Because I have not been there in a few years and things have changed now. From what I have heard. However, launching from Cabrillo will give you the shortest boat ride out to the island (Avalon).