South Devon 2016

[Dai ASBO]

Tried Hope Cove yesterday. Pretty thick bloom. 1 - 2m of very snotty vis. Didn't even find an empty shell...

Bummer, conditions had looked promising if it weren't for the bloom. You've saved me a trip into the sea of disappointment, thanks

Even bigger bummer regarding the lack of empty shells, I feel like the cat that got the cream now with my empty shell find.

 

[mirror]

Tried Hope Cove yesterday. Pretty thick bloom. 1 - 2m of very snotty vis. Didn't even find an empty shell...

Thanks for the vis report , was thinking of heading that way over the next few days so will probably give it a miss now .

 

[Yak82]

Any idea how long before conditions improve? Is it local to the South West or does it spread wider?
J

 

[halfandy]

Any idea how long before conditions improve? Is it local to the South West or does it spread wider?
J

A question I'm sure we would all like to know the answer to.

From my understanding algae will flourish under the right conditions (sunny, warm, and calm) either until those conditions are removed, or until the algae bloom is so dense that it pretty much kills it's self off through over population. So I guess that is does not effect every where at the same time. If you put 'plankton bloom' into google it will show you some satellite images of previous blooms.

On a different note, I went for a dive at Babbacombe on Wednesday. Vis was around 2m and quite green. All I saw was a few wrasse and unidentifiable shapes disappearing. Oh and two small spider crabs! Hopefully this marks their return. I like spider crab. Easy pickings and tasty food. Cool to watch as well.

I tested a camera I bought on ebay. £30 for a Sony camera, and it claims to be good for 10m without a case! Bargain!

Have a picture of some kelp and crap vis in the shallow.

 

[Pinniped72]

The bloom has reached the Hampshire coast, sods law, was on call for work last weekend, had stitches in my back the weekend before that. I'm still gonna get wet though, two weeks dry is long enough for anyone

 

[Dai ASBO]

A question I'm sure we would all like to know the answer to.

From my understanding algae will flourish under the right conditions (sunny, warm, and calm) either until those conditions are removed, or until the algae bloom is so dense that it pretty much kills it's self off through over population. So I guess that is does not effect every where at the same time. If you put 'plankton bloom' into google it will show you some satellite images of previous blooms.

On a different note, I went for a dive at Babbacombe on Wednesday. Vis was around 2m and quite green. All I saw was a few wrasse and unidentifiable shapes disappearing. Oh and two small spider crabs! Hopefully this marks their return. I like spider crab. Easy pickings and tasty food. Cool to watch as well.

I tested a camera I bought on ebay. £30 for a Sony camera, and it claims to be good for 10m without a case! Bargain!

Have a picture of some kelp and crap vis in the shallow.

View attachment 42019

Looks better than I was last in! 2 mates went for a dive late Fri and reported 2-4 meters patchy vis and a cuttlefish taken in Torquay. Hope to get in soon, reckon things are about to start get going.

 

[mirror]

I was at sea out off Dartmouth yesterday ( had an unplanned swim ,fully clothed and wearing wellies !!) the water looked pretty murky indeed ! quite large (2-4 mm ) suspended flakes and about 1-2 metres looking from the surface in the shallows ....although in this area I have never seen great vis at any time , will have a lot of catching up to do when I eventually get in , usually enjoying spider crab meals at this time ..

 

[Mike-Chi-D]

Wembury Sat.

0.5 - 3m, very bloomy in the shallows and at depth in places.

See pics attached

 

[Dai ASBO]

Torquay dive this evening, patchy vis but generally 2-3 meters. Evidence of some bloom remaining but had cleared in many parts. Was hoping for some mullet given that they're in the harbour in numbers but none seen. Plenty of pollock about and one bass seen too. A lot more life about now so which is a relief to see. Ended up looking for scallops but all borderline or too small. Have got my divers permit so keen to bring some shell fish home.
Met a nice chap whilst getting kitted up showing an interest in spearing and having done some before, hello if you're reading this.

 

[halfandy]

Not a dive report, just a... quick sea report I suppose.

I went out sailing yesterday. The sea between Exmouth and Teignmouth was very green. Lost sight of fishing lures after they were a meter or so down.

 

[foxfish]

We still have room for 4 more competitors at this years Guernsey fish in and social event.
This is mainly for fun & not about killing unwanted fish, we eat our catch & have a jolly time in the evenings

 

[scrumpy]

Any viz / bloom reports guys please. Exmouth to bigbury

 

[Dai ASBO]

Planning South Hams dive tomorrow evening, would be good to know answer to Lee's question before?!! Or I can update after.

 

[scrumpy]

Beer is flowing tonight so to drag myself away from that to be met with bloom is a no brainier. Unless anyone knows different. Cheers

 

[mirror]

As it happens .... with relevance to the above posts , I was in at Salcombe today ( kayak ) and there is bloom about but vis is still 4 metres ...ish , saw very few fish , took 1 spider crab ( not many about , too late now ? ) and a dozen razor clams , water did not feel particularly cold and weather and sea conditions were great !! , did a fair bit of exploring but tides were not ideal today and was having trouble with equalising my ears , however 1st dive of the year ( probably the latest ever ) done and feel the season is now underway !!!

 

[scrumpy]

Good one terry. Hopefully next week or so conditions will improve

 

[Dai ASBO]

Knocked the idea of diving South Hams on the head after a mate who dived at midday reported dreadful vis, hand in front of face stuff.

Having been in Torquay during the day saw that water looked surprisingly welcoming (and clear) so dived this evening until last light and got a pretty consistent 4+ meters vis. Much more varied life around now. Fairly early on saw a mullets tail as it had turned and made off pretty swiftly. Spent next hour and a bit exploring an area full of fish, just not ones to catch. Returned back to near where mullet was seen in shallow water for last 20mins of dive and watched bass come in across the sand as I lay in edge of kelp reef. Typical that I've already seen more bass than usual at the start of a season and there's a ban on. That being said, the biggest seen was borderline so wouldn't have taken it anyway, so not frustrating just good to see them about.

Terry - I've seen very few spider crabs this year too, far less than usual. Not dived South Hams this year yet whereby will normally have seen them in numbers, but still sparse in other areas I'd expect to see more. Still, season is underway as you say!!

Wife and kids away for the rest of week so got time to dive as much as possible. And that is what I intend on doing May even give my kayak it maiden voyage at long, long last.

 

[Amateur Spearo]

I managed to persuade the family and friends beach party that South Hams was the way to go so headed over that way to a sheltered beach on Sunday. The water looked crystal before getting in but was probably around 4 metres with a slight bloomy haze and surprisingly warm (relatively speaking!).

I'd not been in five minutes when I came across a nice plump flounder which quickly found its way onto the stringer. I swam around for another half hour or so just enjoying the water and looking for lobsters without success before I came across another sandy gulley with two more flounder laying nose to nose. I thought about shooting one and knifing the other but shot one without the other moving an inch so I reloaded and shot the third. All nice fat fish biggest around 2.5lbs which all gave some good fillets. Not the most imaginative photo but it was a bit of an after thought! Other than the flounder, I saw plenty of wrasse and one decent Pollack at the end of a breath hold which disappeared in the kelp but not a single silver. I'm not sure I'd have adhered to the bass ban had I seen any but as I didn't see one I didn't have the dilemma! The season has started!

Last night's dinner was Thai flounder parcels with lime, chilli and sweet soy and tonight's a flounder, chorizo, tomato stew with aioli!

 

[Broseidon]

Well done mate - I think it's high time you changed your username! Thai flounder parcels sound great.

 

[foxfish]

Nice catch, personally I would not shoot flatfish but hand spear them with an unloaded gun.
Not that you did anything wrong, but shooting into the bottom can result is several possible negative results!
Filleted, floured & shallow fried flounder fillets are delicious.