South Devon 2016

[Mr. X]

I see the forecast was predicting easterlies again today. Hope its better next week.

 

[Guffer]

The forecasts Ihave seen say ENE for most of the week which suggests that locations such as Mupe bay and Kimmeridge may remain sheltered all week. We also hit neap tides mid-week. Sunday might see a swing of wind from the south around midday.

I might suggest a launch from either kimmeridge/lulworth or Studland in the rib (depending on wind direction on the day and pottering about looking for suitable vis. It would be a good excuse to test the new rib and outboard out too.

 

[Mr. X]

...I might suggest a launch from either kimmeridge/lulworth or Studland in the rib (depending on wind direction on the day and pottering about looking for suitable vis. It would be a good excuse to test the new rib and outboard out too.

Hi Guffer, sounds like a plan but those are all Dorset locations & this is the S. Devon thread, which is where I will be heading shortly. Hoping to dive but not counting on it.
[For shelter from easterlies in Darset, have you considered: Chesil Cove, west of Portland &/or Portland Harbor itself? Perhaps Chapman's Cove? My logical self would suggest "keep your powder dry" but I am not doing so myself, against my own better judgement. Early season hope & enthusiasm winning out over experience! ]

 

[Guffer]

Devon. Dorset. You all sound the same to a Northern like me!

 

[Mr. X]

Hope Cove any good? (Short posts this week - no keyboard ).

 

[scrumpy]

Hope cove looks ok flat, bantham / bigbury from the cams looks diveable and also flat. Salcombe esturary iffy and my side blown out with easterlies. I must admit I couldn't drag myself down

 

[Mr. X]

Dived Thurlstone. Vis. OK: 1m - 8m but mainly ~3m.
Saw 0 fish. Met another spearo, he saw only wrasse.
Should continue to improve through the week now.

Venture Sports: interesting spearguns by Epsealon and Apnea, also Cressi Pacific.

 

[Guffer]

Until the weekend when the southerlies come in

 

[Mr. X]

Yes, I see what you mean
West side should be good tomorrow. Maybe East side Wed?
Heavy rain Thurs? Nice Friday. Maybe forecast for weekend will improve yet.

 

[Guffer]

Yeah Ihave to work all week so I could get out friday morning. I might try Old Harry so I can switch sides of the rock when/if the wind switches direction (which it is due to at the moment)

 

[Mr. X]

Hope Cove today. V. good vis. 2m-10m, mainly 4m or more. I swapped from 75cm speargun to 90cm half way - could have used 120cm speargun in a couple of areas! But saw only wrasse, mainly medium size ballan, and one larger one - I opted not to spear Wrasse as this is a popular Beach and the SCUBA divers I met were real friendly and I know they usually enjoy seeing tame wrasse and dog fish. Nice dive location, I bet it gets packed in Summer tho
£4 per day car park or £1 per hour close to Beach.

 

[Guffer]

It certainly looks good on Google earth. I will venture down there this summer if only for the view.

 

[Mr. X]

Might try East side tomorrow and pos. Thurs. Looks like a full moon out the window now - does that mean spring tides? High tides seem to around sunset this week.

 

[foxfish]

Yes spring tides but only small springs this time, there was a huge spring last new moon (two weeks ago)

 

[Tunny]

Mr. X what was the sea temperature?

 

[scrumpy]

Only thing with south hams - parking. Not many places give free access. Take East portlemouth national trust rip you off for £7.50 a day, for what? To park in some cleared scrub land and a toilet not see cleaning products since the grand opening.
Bigbury was £6 but nice loos, outside shower and top notch cafe, pricey food but quality produce.

 

[Mr. X]

Cold in old wetsuit and 2mm gloves. Less so in new wetsuit and 3mm gloves - but need more lead for it.

 

[shiny1]

First dive today and a few fish seen. Cold though

 

[Mr. X]

East side today. Vis. disappointingly poor: 2m. Felt slightly warmer. No fish beyond one small wrasse and quite a lot of starfish. There might be fish there but couldn't see any. Incoming flood tide made returning to entry point tiring. West side was better this week. Local spearo said vis. at Brixham often clears quicker than other locations (2 days).

 

[Mr. X]

Hi Shiny, did you fish from shore or boat?