looking for dive spots/info for N. California

[Arafaru]

I'll be visiting the Santa Cruz and Fort Bragg areas of N. California in late July/early August and looking to do some freediving, possibly for lobster and abalone if season permits. I've never dove that coastline, nor much cold water, so any tips/recommendations for locations or whatevers would be appreciated.

Mahalos...

Ed

 

[calicojack]

You are going to miss lobster season, but it won't matter much because we don't have lobster that far north. Abalone season is closed in July but re-opens August 1. Fort Bragg is a great area for abalone, but that fishery is closed in Santa Cruz. Rock fish and halibut are available in the Santa Cruz area, but only rock fish in Fort Bragg. You can also dive for halibut in Timales Bay (between Fort Bragg and Santa Cruz. Bring a short gun as visability is generally limited and use a "rock" point - not too many free swimmers aroung here.

I wear a 7mm suit - water temps can be as low as 52 F, but are generally around 55 - 56 F.

Hope this helps. - Jim

 

[jimqpublic]

Hi Jim,

I'm thinking of joining some friends for a late summer Abalone trip to the Mendocino area. Does the water ever warm up there? I have a 5 mm wetsuit and was wondering if I could get by. It seems that I'm pretty warm and cozy at 60F.

Jim

 

[calicojack]

I've never seen it get to 60. Everybody is a little different and wet suits have come a long way. My 7 mm suit is 10 years old. You might be fine with your 5mm suit............

 

[icarus pacific]

If your suit is a fairly new or well fitting open cell 5 mil, yeah you'll be OK for as long as you'll be working on getting out there and then figuring out the abalone thing. I'm a 7 mil kinda guy and have been seen in a 9 a few times as well. In 35 years it's been 60 once or twice. Right about now it's 54, down from the 58 I was just enjoying in So Cal.

There are halibut in the Ft Bragg area, but as this will be your first time, I'd recommend you get online and look at the campsites in the area like Salt Point, along with small places like Stillwater Cove Ranch, Timber Cove Inn and the Gualala Hotel if you get up that far. Mendocino and Ft Bragg-wise, there are many places to camp, like Russian Gulch, MacKerricher and Albion. There are a bunch of low dollar places to stay as well if you look hard.

You'll need a license, all your gear, a float with a line on it to clip to the kelp, goddie bag, stringer and a small gun, such as a JBL Custom or a 50-70 cm euro gun.

Places to try will include Stillwater, Ocean and Fisk Mill Coves in Sonoma County. Mendo opens up with a load of places but try just to the north of the main cove at Russian Gulch.

 

[jimqpublic]

Thanks Sven. We were talking about camping at Albion.

I have to make the trip good for the wife and kids so it's going to be mostly shore based stuff with an abalone dive thrown in. Hopefully that will coincide with the timing of my buddies' dive trip. If not we may do the trip anyway and try to arrange a link up with some local divers.

 

[icarus pacific]

That I could be in Elk...

Albion rocks. If you're going to be around on July 1st, check out the art and crafts fair and the fireworks at the harbor- truly an experience in seeing what a life of fog 300 days a year will do to the senses. Absolutely one of my favorite places to be. :inlove Avoid the prime rib at the restaraunt upstairs and stick with the fish and chips. I hear the local cervezas kick ass. :friday

Though I've not camped there, there are a few hotels right at the harbor, and the one right at the end is just nutz. I think it's a Best western so the price is right and the views and access just make it the place to go. Camp-wise, I'd look at Russian Gulch- real nice access, a beach big enough for the kids to get lost and then not, on and the area to the North is pretty sweet. It's a kayak kind of place, but I've kicked it. Years ago. :crutch

There are abs in Point Arena to the South, but it's a pretty exposed break, but if the kids are old enough to help you lug your stuff, cool.. Send me a PM when it gets around the time and I'll see what the Mighty Pudman and I are doing...

 

[AB Diver]

I hope that you have a hell of a time! That's where I grew up diving for ab's. Now the darn Air Force has me stuck near Virginia Beach, VA. Yeah it sucks here. . . I really miss the pacific coastline near Ft. Bragg.

The 5 mil suit should suit you just fine (pardon the pun) as long as you keep moving. Personally I like my 7 mil with a 3 mil surf suit under it .

As CalicoJack said, be ready for some less than clear water. Although every now and again a guy gets lucky and it's pretty nice diving. Nothing quite like it.

Just a side note, make sure to put some :vangry behind those swings when ya tenderize them abs, er else the dog'll have a new chew toy :head .

I am planning a dive trip back home around the same time frame (July 22-25). Let's cross our fingers for good weather!

Best of luck, and enjoy, Kelpy