Portland harbour or Lolworth Cove

[marco78]

Hi all,

I am planning to go sperfishing in Portland Harbour or Lolworth Cove next weekend. It will be the first time sperfishing in UK, usually I fish in the mediterranean sea.
Do you know how will be the vis? (it looks like will have SW wind of 15-20 mph according to xcweather)
Anythink that I should be aware of in the two locations?

Thanks a lot!

Marco

 

[Scoobaru]

Portland harbour is a safe dive with not much in the way of currents apart from ferry bridge, but that will either take you into the fleet or Portland harbour depending which way the tide is running. The only real risk in Portland harbour is sailing boats and ribs so make sure you take a float with you. Sorry I can't advise you on lulworth, as I've only dived there twice

Good luck mate

 

[ickledevil]

Lulworth can suffer from swell and lack of vis depending on the weather, current wise outside the bay there can be some powerful currents although in the bay its not too bad although occasionally catches swimmers/kids out in the summer on out going tides. Again there is potential for a bit of boat traffic and parking is expensive.
All things considered I reckon your best chance of a catch Lulworth, but I would suggest Portland as a better first dive. Vis is likely to be low 2m ish? In either location. Good luck and come say hi in the Dorset thread sure someone will be up for joining you.

 

[marco78]

thanks a lot for the info! I will try Portland Harbour first! I will post in the Dorset thread then. Cheers

Marco

 

[Slicky]

Just a thought but with the Olympics now starting up / pre comp training underway are people avoiding the harbour? or is the harbour master / security people ok when inshore or along the breakwater?

I haven't had a boat for 2 years now but when i was last off the eastern arm the harbour master was out checking permits and told my wife (as i was in the water) that it was no longer legal to spearfish in the harbour due to the potential risk to other water users that the port authority wasn't prepared to take. That said i've never seen any signs put up (thank fully) or heard of any people having issues and i see lots of people are diving the harbour a few times a week.

Perhaps the Newtons cove area is worth looking at too if you are struggling to find some good vis with the SW winds.

I've got one more week in Afghan and am looking forward to some time down Durdle Door whilst the Olympics are on (vis pending of course)

Best of luck, i look forward to hearing how you got on


Cheers

 

[ickledevil]

Never been told I can't spearfish in the harbour and have had my fair share of meetings with the harbour master! I havbe however neen moved on from no dive areas, these have been about for years but there will be more due to the olympics and the will be enforced more I am sure. I believe someone has been visited by olympic security while in the water and I know one chap who was visited before he even got in don't think either visit was an issue but the closer the olympics get the less leniant you will find them, plus the higher the chance of being met by armed guard.. Can't say I fancy that much in a camo wetsuit with a speargun!
Check out the Portland port and weymouth websites for all the maps/restrictions/days etc.