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newport beach, ca area
- Thread startermatesz H2O
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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Mike, I'll let you know by Thursday, but my cousin Pat and I should be in (weather-permitting). I looked into the spider crab thing, there's nothing I can find on DFG's web site. I was able to find info on dungeness and similar-type crabs. Dungeness season opens Nov. 15. On my last lobster dive I found a good size bright red crab clinging onto some kelp, and by looking at the DFG info I think it was a Red Crab: California Department of Fish & Game, Marine Region it looked very cookable, I'm assuming the season opens for those Nov. 15 also...
Went out to Crystal Cove this morning. Water vis was ~15ft; surface condition was good; a bit of surges.
I saw a school of barracudas working a large school of smelt. It was a cool sight seeing long silvery lines zipping right by me. Nice large sand bass near the kelps. Saw a few lobsters. Most were too small to even consider. Where have all the keepers gone?
I also found a tiny "reef" packed with gorgonias and large urchins. It looked like a coral reef .
Who's coming out on Friday? Deadman's reef this Sunday, anyone?
I saw a school of barracudas working a large school of smelt. It was a cool sight seeing long silvery lines zipping right by me. Nice large sand bass near the kelps. Saw a few lobsters. Most were too small to even consider. Where have all the keepers gone?
I also found a tiny "reef" packed with gorgonias and large urchins. It looked like a coral reef .Who's coming out on Friday? Deadman's reef this Sunday, anyone?
I dont know where they (Lobsters) went, but i sure hope they come back! There are a lot of lobster traps in the area. Maybe they went there?
Andrew and Mathew will also be there, although they might have to get there at 6 am. Im a definate. Im not sure if i will be freediving or scuba yet. I would really like to work on my hunting/stalking skills while freediving in those kelp beds. But the idea of loads of lobsters really makes me wanna scuba, especially if you say they are hard to find. Also I now have all the parts for my dive float, so ill assemble it thursday night for friday useage.
Last thing... I found on CF&G they call them Sheep Crabs (Spider Crabs), and there does not seem to be any season becuase they arent related to Dungeness crabs. I will definately be taking any i see that are >4in. across the back.
Andrew and Mathew will also be there, although they might have to get there at 6 am. Im a definate. Im not sure if i will be freediving or scuba yet. I would really like to work on my hunting/stalking skills while freediving in those kelp beds. But the idea of loads of lobsters really makes me wanna scuba, especially if you say they are hard to find. Also I now have all the parts for my dive float, so ill assemble it thursday night for friday useage.
Last thing... I found on CF&G they call them Sheep Crabs (Spider Crabs), and there does not seem to be any season becuase they arent related to Dungeness crabs. I will definately be taking any i see that are >4in. across the back.
Hey Mike, my cousin can't make it tomorrow morning, so we're going to dive tonight for some bugs. Did you try cooking the sheep crab? I heard they're good eating but their shell is like tank armor. Also, what are you going to use to make your float? Keep me posted on how you guys do tomorrow and how the float works out. Good luck!
Ok, sorry to hear you cant make it, but good luck on the lobster catch tonight. Keep us updated so you can tell us how many you have caught for the running total Dam and i are keeping. We will meet up someday. BTW do you mostly freedive or scuba?
DIY boogie board float, Rope, flag, flag holder, Lead weight for an anchor, Tupperware for the fish on top of the float, and fishing line with hookless luers for under the board to help attract fish.
Anyways guys Andrew and i and mathew are getting there at 7 am. To set up scuba gear. See you there Dam and others....
Freedive only. I'm not scuba certified, maybe in a couple years. Let me know when you guys do a shallow freedive and we'll definitely meet up. I have an old boogie board I haven't used in years, I'm thinking of doing a little DIY project of my own. Stay in touch, I'll post tomorrow on how we do tonight.
you guys are lucky! i wanna go, but im stuck at the montage in laguna from yesterday to sunday on a company retreat. i was up at 6am this morning, and wishing i brought my gear! theres some nice rocks in front of the hotel, and to get access it seems you have to actually walk through the hotel.. saw a few traps in the area.
well happy hunting guys, ill be out soon!
well happy hunting guys, ill be out soon!
Figure I'll post the preliminary report and let Mike fill in with his experience. We went out to Crystal Cove again this morning. Conditions couldn't have been better. Sun was out, surface was calm and vis was amazingly clear. I saw baby senoritas swimming from at least 15ft up. Fish weren't afraid to show themselves and every once in a while, a small school of mackerels would swim by. It was an awesome dive.
From the look of it, these conditions will persist well into the weekend. I want to take advantage of it and try to head out to Deadman's Reef in Laguna Beach this weekend. Would anybody be interested? Please reply here or send me a PM.
From the look of it, these conditions will persist well into the weekend. I want to take advantage of it and try to head out to Deadman's Reef in Laguna Beach this weekend. Would anybody be interested? Please reply here or send me a PM.
We went out last night to O-side Harbor. Got there when tide was low, no wind, small swell, looked very good. Got in the water, vis was 2-3 feet. Couldn't see a thing most of the time, worked hard saw one lobster that may have been a keeper, got away before I could go for a grab. Caught 2, both short. Water is so dirty, forgot why we call it Oceanslime! It was fun being out, nice night, not going back there anytime soon...
Hey Doug, sorry that conditions sucked. Man thats just creepy 3 foot of vis, and night diving. I wouldn't have even gone in. Too freaky for me.
Aesthetic, you missed an amazing day today, best one ever. Go get some gear and head out from the hotel. It will be awesome.
Dam, So the park rangers came and asked for our fishing license.... DOH, I was like... um um.. i left mine at home. For the record everyone i had a really big dilemma today, my license was in my freediving bag, and that was at home in Huntington beach. So i decided to go spearing and collecting anyways hoping that no one would ask for it. What bad luck. Anyways he let me off easy.
As for the conditions, there was >20 foot of visibility more like 25 foot. We all kept saying man the water is so clear. We were hunting a kelp bed in 25 foot of water and you could see the bottom. As for the spoils, Another lobster, 2 calico bass, 2 rubberlips, and one mystery fish-still working on its id. So 5 fish for me, and one lobster. We also had a large sea lion hang out with us for a few minutes. Later, our fish container flipped over and dumped about 5 almost dead fish and a gallon of fish blood into the water. We lost a 2+ foot calico bass (not dead enough) that my buddy shot, it was his first time out hunting ever, and it was his first kill. Also i saw another legal lobster out there and it was guarded by a huge moray eel. Then another eel encounter i pulled out an antennae of a lobster from a hole and out follows my hand is a medium 5 foot moray eel. I dont think he was happy with me. I really wanted to shove my polespear down his mouth and fire it. So i poked him a few times to see if he would move but he didnt. Stupid eel. But seroulsly whats and eel gonna do with a 6 foot polespear down his mouth?
But all in all the day was the incredible. Plus we found two new "lifeguard" secret spots for halibut and lobsters.
Mike
Aesthetic, you missed an amazing day today, best one ever. Go get some gear and head out from the hotel. It will be awesome.
Dam, So the park rangers came and asked for our fishing license.... DOH, I was like... um um.. i left mine at home. For the record everyone i had a really big dilemma today, my license was in my freediving bag, and that was at home in Huntington beach. So i decided to go spearing and collecting anyways hoping that no one would ask for it. What bad luck. Anyways he let me off easy.
As for the conditions, there was >20 foot of visibility more like 25 foot. We all kept saying man the water is so clear. We were hunting a kelp bed in 25 foot of water and you could see the bottom. As for the spoils, Another lobster, 2 calico bass, 2 rubberlips, and one mystery fish-still working on its id. So 5 fish for me, and one lobster. We also had a large sea lion hang out with us for a few minutes. Later, our fish container flipped over and dumped about 5 almost dead fish and a gallon of fish blood into the water. We lost a 2+ foot calico bass (not dead enough) that my buddy shot, it was his first time out hunting ever, and it was his first kill.
Also i saw another legal lobster out there and it was guarded by a huge moray eel. Then another eel encounter i pulled out an antennae of a lobster from a hole and out follows my hand is a medium 5 foot moray eel. I dont think he was happy with me. I really wanted to shove my polespear down his mouth and fire it. So i poked him a few times to see if he would move but he didnt. Stupid eel. But seroulsly whats and eel gonna do with a 6 foot polespear down his mouth?But all in all the day was the incredible. Plus we found two new "lifeguard" secret spots for halibut and lobsters.
Mike
Despite having the smokes and wind, conditions at Crystal Cove were very good this morning. My only complaint would be the big surge/swells. Vis was ~10-15ft. Caught a keeper bug today. Nothing else. Does anyone want to head out tomorrow morning? Either Crystal Cove or Laguna.
Congrats Dam,
Anyways i think the conditions are looking good to go out tomorrow. It was 6-8 foot of vis yesterday, and it was 8-12 foot this morning and now it 10-12 foot of vis. Hopefully itll be 15+ foot tomorrow. See you all there. 7 - 7:30. Im probably gonna freedive polespear the kelp paddy tomorrow then switch to my bubblers for some deeper water hunting.
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I will not be diving tomorrow. You guys can all meet up but i wont be able to make it. We will shoot for saturday morning kelp bed.
Mike
Anyways i think the conditions are looking good to go out tomorrow. It was 6-8 foot of vis yesterday, and it was 8-12 foot this morning and now it 10-12 foot of vis. Hopefully itll be 15+ foot tomorrow. See you all there. 7 - 7:30. Im probably gonna freedive polespear the kelp paddy tomorrow then switch to my bubblers for some deeper water hunting.
------------------------------------EDIT___--------------------------------
I will not be diving tomorrow. You guys can all meet up but i wont be able to make it. We will shoot for saturday morning kelp bed.
Mike
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I really want to freedive hunt the kelp bed in laguna with my polespear. At least for the first 2 hours, then switch to scuba for a tank or two. The water should be 20' deep or so.
Dive conditions as of this morning at 10 am and it looks like its on the upswing also.
Date: 10/26/2007
Time: 10:00 AM
Surf: 1 ft to 2 ft
Surge: 2 ft to 4 ft
Visibility: 10 ft to 12 ft
Temperature: Air 62 Water 62
Unfortunately i have a big halloween costume party tonight, so it could be pretty tough gettin up early tomorrow AM.
Dam will be there probably (I havent talked with him yet), and he will be freediving. He is the most hard core out of all of us. Ill pm you my phone number so i can let you know as things unfold today.
Mike
Dive conditions as of this morning at 10 am and it looks like its on the upswing also.
Date: 10/26/2007
Time: 10:00 AM
Surf: 1 ft to 2 ft
Surge: 2 ft to 4 ft
Visibility: 10 ft to 12 ft
Temperature: Air 62 Water 62
Unfortunately i have a big halloween costume party tonight, so it could be pretty tough gettin up early tomorrow AM.
Dam will be there probably (I havent talked with him yet), and he will be freediving. He is the most hard core out of all of us. Ill pm you my phone number so i can let you know as things unfold today.
Mike
Here's my morning report: vis was good (~15ft). A bit of surge, surface condition was good. Saw a large bat ray and decided to follow it for a while. Unfortunately, it got annoyed and left me in the dust. I also saw a smooth hound and a hornback. I found some tiny gaps among the reefs that held quite a bit of lobsters. However, most were small. I did end up with 1 keeper though. I kept running into larger calicos but no spear
Doug, I'll most likely head out tomorrow morning and I'd love to join you. When would you like to go? Any locations? :cough: How does Deadmen's reef sound? :mute
Doug, I'll most likely head out tomorrow morning and I'd love to join you. When would you like to go? Any locations? :cough: How does Deadmen's reef sound? :mute
Dam i would love to freedive with you tomorrow morning. Then ill switch to scuba at noonish. I have some good secret spots to show you the lifeguard told me about. Gotta run to train in the pool right now. We can talk later. You can check out my Cammo wetsuit. I have some pics online the DIY thread for hunting.
Well we went out today and the water was amazing. Again 15-20 foot of vis, overcast and we were (as always) the only ones out there. Once again Dam proves he is the best lobster hunter. He had already picked up and caught 8-10 lobster to check for size before i had even seen one. He has X-ray vision. I shot me a nice 2 foot Calico Seabass, mmm was it good. Dam ended up with a keeper lobster (male) which puts him at 6 or 7 for the season and me 5. Thanks bigboy and mathew. See you all on Friday. As for the marine report, 2 leopard sharks (3.5 foot and 1.5 foot), loads of nice female sheep heads (very large dark grey ones), large kelpfish, loads of large lobster (too bad i only had very thin gloves on), opaleye, jack smelt schools, rubberlips, garabaldis, sargos in groups of 2 or 3, bat rays, moray eels, sand bass, and some 2 foot calico sea bass.
Mike
Mike