South Devon report 2007

[tribs]

Hi All

Went in at Budleigh again today. In the water at 6pm, came out a 8pm with 3 fat and juicy mullet. The top metre and a half was brown and viz of approx 1m, but on the bottom, viz went out to about 5m and I found a nice little nook that I could trap myself under to free both hands and the mullet kept coming past. I stopped at 3, not wanting to be greedy, put the gun aside and just watched the rest. Did manage to see a bass in the shoal but he was hovering beyond the range of the gun. I need a 90!!

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[geebee]

When you guys go down, how long do you stay on a single breath?

 

[foxfish]

Average spearo with a few years practice = one - one half minutes at ten metres would be a good target. (never managed it myself though)

 

[tribs]

Hi GeeBee

Don't get hung up about holding your breath, it all comes with time in the water. I think it's like Spearo Dave said, get yourself together and calm down, take a couple of deep breaths and descend as smoothly as possible. Keep as relaxed as possible and you'll burn less air. Tonight when I could jam myself under a rock, it just left me free to concentrate on the fish and I could stay down much longer. My dives range from 15 seconds having a look around, to nearly a minute when I've found a good spot preferably with some anchorage point and I can relax, calm down and descend into position slowly.

Hope this helps.

Tribs

 

[spearheads]

Most my dives are 1.20 but can do 2.00. I like to do short dives and have a short recovery time but sometimes a longer dive is needed.

 

[scottwilson]

Geebee one thing that has improved my bottom time is getting the right weight on my weight belt. Before I used to float up slowly and found myself burning too much air. Changed one of my weights for a bigger one and now its perfect.

 

[geebee]

Just back from London Arch...met Dan Bolt of www.underwaterpics.co.uk.

Great couple of hours in the water. No fish but lots of cave swim-thrus and great exercise.

Dived to 4.7m on the Pipes so we are getting better!

 

[Spiderman]

When you guys go down, how long do you stay on a single breath?

About 40 seconds at 5 metres is normal for me. I keep thinking that I will do some training to try and improve this, but then I shoot a good fish in 2m of water and forget all about it

 

[atomichaggis]

Geebee one thing that has improved my bottom time is getting the right weight on my weight belt. Before I used to float up slowly and found myself burning too much air. Changed one of my weights for a bigger one and now its perfect.

Thats a bloody nuiscance. always best to add more weight for shallows and less for deeper dives and be sure to adjust when changing between the two.

 

[scottwilson]

About 40 seconds at 5 metres is normal for me. I keep thinking that I will do some training to try and improve this, but then I shoot a good fish in 2m of water and forget all about it

Had my biggest bass in less then 3 meters of water but I guess it depends on the area. Some dive spots you have no choice but to go deep.


Anyone been in today? if the viz is any good I might give thurlestone a miss tomorrow and dive the bay instead.

 

[spearheads]

Does anyone have updates on the Thurlstone comp?, Nothing on the BSA Website.

 

[scottwilson]

Very Good question Matt nothings been said that its been cancelled so I would say its on

 

[tribs]

Hi All

Went to Budleigh today, didn't take the gun, just went for a look about as I had my old man with me. Saw lots of fish though Dad was complaining he would have seen more with a tank strapped to his back. There's no pleasing some people.
Did see another spearo down there. Anyone form the forum? Would have stopped but the meter was running.
Tides are getting stronger now neaps are going.
I'm looking forward to getting a new speargun, saw some bass the other day that my 75 just couldn't manage.
Seen 2 spearos this week in my neck of the woods which is nice.

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[geebee]

Hi all

Quick question...

What do you guys do about footwear when wearing full-foot fins? Do you leave stuff on the beach? IS is generally safe to do that?

Or do you wear pocket/strap fins?

 

[Jez]

Saw a camo-suited spearo at Budleight today, diving from a greenish looking sit-on-top kayak. Was walking the coast path and was stood pretty much over him/her on the cliffs heading towards Ladram Bay. Water looked a bit murky as close in as he/she was, I'd be interested to know who it was and how they got on.

 

[tribs]

Hi Jez

That's who I saw and thought it was possibly you!

If you are up this way again soon give me a buzz and maybe we could get something arranged?

Tribs

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[scottwilson]

Hi all

Quick question...

What do you guys do about footwear when wearing full-foot fins? Do you leave stuff on the beach? IS is generally safe to do that?

Or do you wear pocket/strap fins?

I wear 5mm socks and they do the trick for short trips but I have to buy a pair every year cause the bottoms wear out, otherwise I have a pair of 7mm boots I use for kayaking and just sling them in my catch bag on my bouy, but they are a real drag and a pain in the neck. and I stay well away from flip flops :naughty

 

[tribs]

Hi All

Budleigh again today, but this time a high tide and bloody hell what a tide!! Could only manage to get to the first set of rocks as the tide was ripping up the river like you wouldn't believe. Only stayed in 45 mins as it just seemed pointless getting smashed about in the 3 foot waves bouncing off the rocks. Saw 2 scrawny mullet and the usual massive wrasse in the holes, but nothing worth the bruises to stay out there.

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PS: Are long fins that much better than short fins? I dive in short fins, split fins actually, that were supposed to be the thing to have and yet when I went in with the old man, he zoomed past me using some luminous green jobs from a charity shop, much to my dismay!! Seen some omer ice but don't want to shell out £100 without asking around first. Thinking about getting some cheap long fins to give it a go. Opinions please.

Tribs
Out.....properly

 

[geebee]

Well, I have been looking at these as starter fins:

[ame=http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tigullio-FREEDIVE-SPEARFISH-FINS-Dark-Grey_W0QQitemZ330159010458QQihZ014QQcategoryZ16054QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]Tigullio FREEDIVE/ SPEARFISH FINS: Dark Grey on eBay, Fins Flippers, SCUBA Snorkelling, Sporting Goods (item 330159010458 end time 02-Sep-07 21:42:14 BST)[/ame]

They are based in Brixham so no need to pay delivery. £30 looks like a bargain. I will get the Omers once I get into the sport more.

Im only hesitating because I dont know what to do about walking down to the water in bare feet. Sometimes we have a hike before we get wet.

 

[tribs]

Hey GeeBee

Saw those other ones on there the Seatec Xpro thought they might be worth a go like you said before buying anything quality. have you been in as it looks like we're the only two active, out and about, of late or at least reporting anywhooo?