South Devon report 2007

[tribs]

Jez,

Very nice! I was lazy and headed to good ol' Budleigh Salterton where fish were remarkable thin on the ground. They had been below average numbers the other night when Geebee and i went out but today I must have seen 5 takeable fish in 4 hours. I put it down to the level of motor traffic on the water and the amount of snorkellers you were out. On that point, i nearly but nearly let a flipping snorkellerhave it today. he saw my bouy in a small bay and me working around it as i had noticed him on the beach getting his gear on. He then proceeded to come right into the exact area i was in and actually gave me a disgruntled look when HE swam over me!!!!! I was kneeing on the bottom having already been there a minute or more yet he still had to swim over me by about a foot. He just stared a me like a boy racer of the sea and swam on but what a C##k.
Will try earlier tomorrow to avoid the morons, sorry masses, and get further out.
Loads of bait in the water today and i saw an amazing sight as 10 or so garfish swam around me, they really are majestic in the water, mini marlin.

Tribs

out

 

[tribs]

Hi all

Budleigh again this morning and the viz is getting worse day by day. Hardly anything seen.

Tribs

Out

 

[Mr. X]

Tribs, might be worth showing the snorkeller that you have a speargun -- it might not have occurred to him. Have seen several snorkellers in full wetsuits this year that were not spearos. Folk usually take the hint.

Hi Mr. X, how is the kayak diving going?? I am looking to set up a kayak for the start of next season and may need to question you on your set up! Fed up with shore diving and i have loads of GPS for offshore reef which i intend to dive. I use to blow bubbles on them years before i saw the light and started to freedive/spearfish.

I took gear so that I could kayak dive on holiday but didn't use it. We used the kayak for family recreation a couple of times -- and I trolled a handline at the same time. I had a great time spearing from the beach so I didn't feel the need to search for more out of the way places this hol.

I find the amount of gear for either activity just about manageable but the thought of carting both sets of gear has been off putting so far. I can think of several locations in Dorset where it might be useful (Kimmeridge, Lulworth/Mupe & the Swanage cliffs spring to mind) -- for easier access with gear & the ability to visit more that one spot but I usually end up figuring time spent kayaking is time not spearing. Maybe if I find someone to explore with. (We actually got 2 adults & child on the kayak at one point on holiday & it worked fine -- although it sits quite low in the water! They had Cobra Tandems for hire at Blackpool sands. They're about the same size but have more vertical volume -- must be how they achieve their higher carrying capacity. Also saw the XL version of the OK Tandem.).

There is some talk about maybe swapping the tandem for 2 single seaters in a year or two. Although I quite like the tandem set up & can use it solo, or even take a non-paddling passenger.

 

[tribs]

Hi all

Went out in the boat last night in our local fishing clubs comp and landed two stunning Trigger fish. Someone on here said they were good to eat but fiddly for some reason?
Gutted them and took a cleaver to all fins and spines including the trigger and froze them whole.

Methods for cooking or recipe ideas gentlemen please?

Tribs

Out

 

[scottwilson]

Triggerfish with Mango Salsa

Here you go Tribs its sounds great

 

[dave]

Triggers- My favourite eating fish!
Skin, then fillet and fry in breadcrumbs.
The last round of the BSA National championships was held at Sandy Bay, Exmouth on Sunday. A great days diving, with a huge variety of fish caught; mullet, bass, triggers, red mullet, plaice, conger, pout, pollack, garfish, and mackeral.Heavy boat traffic was kept at bay by a very efficient team of safety boats.
Winner on the day was the legendary (and oldest diver in the water by about 20 years)Pete Crawford, with a fantastic catch of mainly bass and mullet.
cheers
dave
Spearguns by Spearo uk ltd finest supplier of speargun, monofins, speargun and freediving equipment

 

[tribs]

Hi Dave

Were the plaice any size as i know divers have had tray fulls out of there, just by the largest yellow marker and have you processed my gabbiano 90 Elite order yet please?

C Tribble

 

[dave]

by the largest yellow marker

you mean the sewer pipe buoy? (theres a good reason there are so many mullet at Sandy Bay...........)
Biggest plaice was about 3lbs.
The Gabbiano is on its way
cheers
dave
Spearguns by Spearo uk ltd finest supplier of speargun, monofins, speargun and freediving equipment

 

[scottwilson]

Hi dave. I dont suppose you have any news on the Thurlestone comp held a few weeks back. Im not sure where to have a look for the results
Cheers

 

[Doc]

if you want to BBQ Triggers or and other tough scaly fish try wrapping them in newspaper (at least 6 or seven sheets) to parcel them up. dunk it in water and plonk on the heat. when the first 2 layers are well charred the fish is ready. I do my triggers with a ginger, garlic and soy sauce marianade

 

[Andy Davies]

How do you kill triggers in the water? They have a serious attitude and a very nasty set of teeth!

 

[Doc]

I use the spike on my stringer but they are a tough nut to crach and they do bite!!
worth it for the taste though

 

[Andy Davies]

Where do you spike them though? Do you look for a triangle with the eyes?

 

[podge]

Where do you spike them though? Do you look for a triangle with the eyes?

I spike most of my fish straight through the eyes, and give the gills a good thumbing just to make sure that they are dead.
Hope this helps

 

[Doc]

the eyes are the only bit of the central nervous system visible so a good easy soft spot for triggers and mullett but my wife gets all upset by blinded dead fish so i go through the gills aiming between the eyes.

 

[Andy Davies]

Is this method also successful for triggers?

 

[Doc]

yes but youve got to put some effort in I may try the podge approach next time eyes and a bit of gill stimulation

 

[geebee]

Going out at Budleigh tomorrow evening, 5:30-ish if anyone wants to come...

 

[tribs]

GeeBee

Would love to if i wasn't learning how to teach kids the rudimentary basics of Netball properly!!!

Anyone in on the weekend? Might give Sandy Bay the nod or just flop onto Budders as usual.

Tribs

Out

 

[spearheads]

The Thurlestone comp was won with a big catch of triggers. saw a few myself but hard to hit front onrofl. Also some big Pollock were pulled out. I had a big plaice.
I have had a good competition season winning 3 gunsrofl.