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South Devon report 2007
- Thread starter spearheads
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 90 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
They seem fine...went in barefoot and they didnt rub. Should have got a bigger pair but i will do when i get back from Maldives in October. Seen a nice pair on spearo daves site.
They made a big difference when powering down to the bottom. Doubled my max depth. I dive in Force Fins with a short fast flutter kick so these are completely different style. Cant frog kick that easily in em
I cannot compare them to other freedive fins as I havent tried any others yet!
Heres some pics of Dean and myself...why do i always hear the Stingray "Aqua Marina" song when i see Dean swimming...?
They made a big difference when powering down to the bottom. Doubled my max depth. I dive in Force Fins with a short fast flutter kick so these are completely different style. Cant frog kick that easily in em
I cannot compare them to other freedive fins as I havent tried any others yet!
Heres some pics of Dean and myself...why do i always hear the Stingray "Aqua Marina" song when i see Dean swimming...?
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Wheres the pics GEEBEE
Went to Thurlestone today for a late dive and got the tide on the way up. Saw fair bit of mullet, Loads of Pollack but nothing worth taking. The Viz was real bad close to the shore and then cleared to about 8 meters further out. The swell seemed to get bigger in the 2 hours I was in so God only knows what it going to be like tomorrow for the comp ( if its still on )
Went to Thurlestone today for a late dive and got the tide on the way up. Saw fair bit of mullet, Loads of Pollack but nothing worth taking. The Viz was real bad close to the shore and then cleared to about 8 meters further out. The swell seemed to get bigger in the 2 hours I was in so God only knows what it going to be like tomorrow for the comp ( if its still on )
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Dived Budleigh last night at 5 until 7. I haven't had such a nice dive in a while. Mid tide rising, current was gentle but there, viz4-6 metres. Saw a boat on the reef and went to check it out thinking it was tribs in his kayak, no sign of life though so I started hunting. Saw a couple of mullet grazing some slime off the rough sand patches but left them to it. Found plenty of pollack, some almost worth bothering with but not really. Saw a small bass in the distance fairly early on. Then two more came by a short while later, too small and too far but a third came past, big enough and close enough. Shot him through the flank and he didn't put up much fight (although I spiked my fingers on its dorsal when stringing it up, my fault, it hurt). At this point the boat had approached me from behind and was being driven by our very own Pete Crawford. He kindly offered me a lift but I politely declined as I wasn't done yet. He picked up another spearo and zoomed off towards Exmouth, not sure who it was. Pete said he had 3 bass. Sounds like Budleigh took a hammering that day with Tribs catching earlier too!
Lots of sandeels, darting in and out of the sand, not behaviour I'd observed before but common I'm sure. A fishing boat full of chavs zoomed up the side of me on the way in and upon seeing my bass strung on my float proceeded to cast the lines all about me! I swam off with some amusement. Headed for the river mouth and crawled over the ankle deep pebbles with the tide running against me until I found the river mouth. I'm such a child but I love riding the current up the river to the back beach, you go so fast. I tried a short duck dive and kick my fins, I went so fast! zoomed past a fly fisherman on the corner who asked me if there were any fish down there. I only had time to shake my head before being slooshed around the corner. Did I mention how fast I went?rofl
Lookes as though there may have been a social fishing gathering that evening, alot of people turning up with gear. A fire truck turned up and reversed all the way down the pebble embankement to the river entrance, not sure why, river rescue training?
Will try and post a picture of bass later.
Good luck anyone going to the comp today.
Lots of sandeels, darting in and out of the sand, not behaviour I'd observed before but common I'm sure. A fishing boat full of chavs zoomed up the side of me on the way in and upon seeing my bass strung on my float proceeded to cast the lines all about me! I swam off with some amusement. Headed for the river mouth and crawled over the ankle deep pebbles with the tide running against me until I found the river mouth. I'm such a child but I love riding the current up the river to the back beach, you go so fast. I tried a short duck dive and kick my fins, I went so fast! zoomed past a fly fisherman on the corner who asked me if there were any fish down there. I only had time to shake my head before being slooshed around the corner. Did I mention how fast I went?rofl
Lookes as though there may have been a social fishing gathering that evening, alot of people turning up with gear. A fire truck turned up and reversed all the way down the pebble embankement to the river entrance, not sure why, river rescue training?
Will try and post a picture of bass later.
Good luck anyone going to the comp today.
I've never dived Budleigh - is it pretty obvious where to go when you get there?
It seems to be famous for its tidal currents. Obviously spring tides will make the current stronger, but is is safe to assume that the max current will be around mid tide?
Any clues gratefully received
It seems to be famous for its tidal currents. Obviously spring tides will make the current stronger, but is is safe to assume that the max current will be around mid tide?
Any clues gratefully received
I watched the start of the comp this morning, Good Turn out But I had to leave just after they got in the water and dont think I will be seeing the weigh in which is a bummer to top it all off I left my damn bag with my camera in at home.
was thinking about getting in around the bay but the water looks a bit murky. Anyone been in today?
was thinking about getting in around the bay but the water looks a bit murky. Anyone been in today?
Hi all,
Nice report Jez, i saw the same thing with the sandeels a few weeks back and its funny to watch. There were alot of Bass over the low tide out over the far kelp. I always find Budleigh better from low-Mid tide or Mid-Low-Mid. I've never seen as many fish over the high water as when I go on the low. that said the only Sea trout I've ever seen down there was on high tide.
If anyone is up Budleigh way this weekend and wants a buddy let me know as i live 2 miles from the beach.
Spiderman - when you get to the beach the river comes out at the eastern end marked by a largely exposed reef, that's the place to go.
Tribs
Out
Nice report Jez, i saw the same thing with the sandeels a few weeks back and its funny to watch. There were alot of Bass over the low tide out over the far kelp. I always find Budleigh better from low-Mid tide or Mid-Low-Mid. I've never seen as many fish over the high water as when I go on the low. that said the only Sea trout I've ever seen down there was on high tide.
If anyone is up Budleigh way this weekend and wants a buddy let me know as i live 2 miles from the beach.
Spiderman - when you get to the beach the river comes out at the eastern end marked by a largely exposed reef, that's the place to go.
Tribs
Out
What a great report on budleigh have been thinking about trying there for a while. Seems like you are having better viz than around torbay, plus its abit closer to me. Have dived there before with my scuba gear. The current seemed quite strong around the river mouth. Maybe it was the state of the tide at the time. Tried out from the cafe on the west end of the beach enougher time and swam out for about 1/4 mile and saw nothing, just sandy mud. Heard after that the reef is not so big at that end.
HI MATE Dave ocallaghan here peter and i dive in the same team for nat comps any time you wont a dive send me a pm the offer is there to all of you Dave oc
What does Pete C take to keep him diving? The man is a legend, I hope I still can get into the sea when I reach his innings!! Nice story of you Dave in Sunday Times recently, glad you had the balls to expose the truth....
Hi all
Fish for tea! Took a lovely plump Mullet today from Budleigh which helped offset the disappointment of missing a decent Bass. Viz was average but poor compared to yesterday. Yesterday patches were 12m+ today it was down to about 6m when i decided enough was enough. There is hope for the future though as i swam with a shoal of 30 Bass that, minus the magnification factor, would have been the size of goldfish. Nice to see a future generation that the commercials haven't wiped out yet.
Thinking of trying some different spots soon, spreading my wings, especially for a larger average stamp of Bass. Many spots are mentioned on here but where generally holds the larger Bass, Torbay, South Devon?
Tribs
Out
Fish for tea! Took a lovely plump Mullet today from Budleigh which helped offset the disappointment of missing a decent Bass. Viz was average but poor compared to yesterday. Yesterday patches were 12m+ today it was down to about 6m when i decided enough was enough. There is hope for the future though as i swam with a shoal of 30 Bass that, minus the magnification factor, would have been the size of goldfish. Nice to see a future generation that the commercials haven't wiped out yet.
Thinking of trying some different spots soon, spreading my wings, especially for a larger average stamp of Bass. Many spots are mentioned on here but where generally holds the larger Bass, Torbay, South Devon?
Tribs
Out
Took a trip down south, but hoping our waters may clear this week.
Sidmouth area. Viz not too bad at low tide, bit patchy.
Spotted 1 Bass just down the coast from sidmouth but estimate it was only around 2lb. It came back to look during my dive. Also saw what I think was a Gunard. It had two feelers and was rooting around in the sand. Solid body, angular almost.
Moved up towards Sidmouth and took 3 Mullet all around 3 - 4lb. Viz deteriating as the tide pushed in. Has 1 look at 5 good size fish but the viz was sooo poor that I only know they were Bass or Mullet. The 1 that came back for a 2nd look was a Mullet but it could have been hanging out with Bass.
A lot of small pollock about and wrasse as expected and some small striped fish under a ledge taking shelter, not seen before.
Good fun on the south coast! Gave my fish to my spearo buddies who both blanked.
Sidmouth area. Viz not too bad at low tide, bit patchy.
Spotted 1 Bass just down the coast from sidmouth but estimate it was only around 2lb. It came back to look during my dive. Also saw what I think was a Gunard. It had two feelers and was rooting around in the sand. Solid body, angular almost.
Moved up towards Sidmouth and took 3 Mullet all around 3 - 4lb. Viz deteriating as the tide pushed in. Has 1 look at 5 good size fish but the viz was sooo poor that I only know they were Bass or Mullet. The 1 that came back for a 2nd look was a Mullet but it could have been hanging out with Bass.
A lot of small pollock about and wrasse as expected and some small striped fish under a ledge taking shelter, not seen before.
Good fun on the south coast! Gave my fish to my spearo buddies who both blanked.
YES! Red Mullet
Thats what it was. I watched it for a while, seemed very content digging into the sand. I estimate it was approx 20cm long.
How commen is it to see them? First 1 I have seen, although usually dive on the north coast.
Thats what it was. I watched it for a while, seemed very content digging into the sand. I estimate it was approx 20cm long.
How commen is it to see them? First 1 I have seen, although usually dive on the north coast.
I've seen red mullet at various sites in South Devon but gurnard only at Thurlestone. The striped fish under the ledge will almost certainly have been Bib - at least that is what was under the ledges at Sidmouth last weekend.
Your experience of Sidmouth is pretty much typical - patchy viz, quite a few mullet and too small bass is what I usually encounter there.