South Devon report 2007

[Mr. X]

Competition Catch (Thurlestone)

At Thurlestone, a car full of old folk told me there had been a competition in the morning (as did a comp. official in a small rib, checking to see if I was a straggler left over from the comp*). They were impressed by the size of some of the catches ("could hardly carry some") including a very large plaice. They asked me happens to the fish (I suspect they would have liked to take some home)- as they pointed to a pick-up truck driving out with bags, presumably carrying the day's catch. I wasn't sure. I know speared fish can't legally be sold.

I believe I have read an explanation somewhere before but couldn't recall the details, maybe somebody could tell, for future reference. (I'm surprised most competitors don't just take their catch home with them -- plaice & chips anyone?).

[*I hadn't intended to dive the comp. site. Our landlady left details of several beaches she recommended, including S. Milton. I noticed on the OS map she supplied the name Thurlestone there & recognised it from this thread but did not recall any details. Seems like a good location, once you're made it down the tiny roads -- pity I didn't go earlier in the week though!].

 

[Spiderman]

Wind has moved around to the west. Anybody know how Torbay's looking vis wise please?

 

[spearheads]

last time i was in 4/5 meters. No sure about this week but it should be reasonable.
Dived a few times last week had some good fish, 2 johndorys 2 red mullet 5bass and some mullet. Sadly i didnt get a pic of the johndorys.

 

[Spiderman]

Dived Babbacombe and Oddicombe around high tide today. Vis was variable but got up to 5m in places. Lots of colourful fish but a distinct lack of grey fish. I saw one small mullet in 3 1/2 hours! There were big wrasse and small pollack all over the place as well as dogfish and a cuttle. The highlight of the dive was a very friendly pipefish that swam right up to my mask.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMXiiPNVHXw]YouTube - Snake pipefish[/ame]

 

[Pastor]

Nice footage, I had one swimming around my trigger last week about half that size but could I get rid of it?

 

[Spiderman]

Nice footage, I had one swimming around my trigger last week about half that size but could I get rid of it?

This one swam all around my gun as well. It swam right up to my mask and peered in then went for the gun,then swam back around my head. Unfortunately my camera battery went flat after the first video so I couldn't film any more of its antics.

 

[Pastor]

Bummer! That must have been annoying. Still you got some of it recorded. I was doing an asspetto a few weeks ago and I looked up to see a shoal of maybe 50 - 100 garfish swimming overhead, wish I had a camera

 

[scottwilson]

Anybody know how the viz is down Plymouth way ( thurlestone) I got in around meadfoot today and only saw a glimse of a mullet and murky water so I thought I would do a bit of traveling and try and get a better spot.

the temperture of the water has dropped quite a bit this week so im going to try and get in as many dives in while I can. I know what you mean about the lack of grey fish. They all seem to be gone.

I was told by a guy at work that the bass really start to come in this time of year but im sure thats not right.

 

[Spiderman]

You're right about the temperature. My D3 measured it at 17 last week and 16 this week.

I wondered about Thurlestone today as well but it is quite exposed to SW swells. It tends to recover quickly when the swell drops though.

 

[scottwilson]

Thanks spiderman. I'll give thurelstone a bash tomorrow , might try the far right handside by the golf course as its quite sheltered but if its all churned up then a pub lunch in the town will have to do

 

[tribs]

Hi all

Haven't been on for a while work is mental and the weather hasn't been the best for viz up my way. Has anyone one been in of late? I get to use my new gabianno 90 from Monday as its my birthday. Its been sat there wrapped up taunting me for a week or more! desparate to get in next week but it looks like the wind is still going to be coming up but maybe alright as its going around NW/W. Anyone know where to find some good viz? Been thinking about Thurlestone, went for a look around and it does look very fishy but when you are nearly in sidmouth its one hell of a drive and those roads are tiny.

Ideas please

Tribs
Out

PS GeeBee if your back no comments about the Maldives please. LOL

 

[scottwilson]

Hi tribs

I went to thurlestone yesterday and its bad, real bad , 3 foot surf brown and messy. I took some pics of it so will post them asap. Torbay had good viz at the mo. I did Brixham this morning and had 2 to 3 meters viz and livermead yesterday after coming back from Thurlestone and had 3 to four meters but no fish

There is a distinct lack of fish at the moment, in the 2 hours i was in the water today I saw 2 small bass and a nice size mullet, but that was it.

I dived meadfoot on thursday and nearly drownd from the current and waves coming in from the right but again saw no fish other then a glimpse of a mullet.

 

[tribs]

Hi

thanks Scott

Seems like we may have hit the summer/autumn turn already. Post earlier that there's a run of Codling in already. Summer fish moving on and the winter fish moving in. Always slow on the beaches waiting for the change to complete but its not all bad. Its normally big bass time as they seem to either hang about or become more prevalent up towards Chrimbo! Had two in the boat a couple of weeks ago 7 and 8lb respectively.

Tribs

Out

 

[spearheads]

Plenty of fish still around. Dived today 3 mullet and 3 bass, Post a pic later. Viz was 3 meters.

 

[scottwilson]

heres the pic as you can see if rough as heck. I took one look at it and drove back to torbay GUTTED!!!!

Thats good to hear spearheads. I have been diving the tide on the way down or just on the way up. Might try some high tide dives and might see some more fish about.

 

[spearheads]

Pic

Two fish missing from the picture, gave two mullet away to a french women at the beach.

 

[Jez]

Nice catch. Have a mild cold, you know, you feel a bit dodgy but think you could dive/surf but it would then probably give you a proper cold. I've learned from previous experience. So I'm Staying in and watching the rugby. poo

Went to see the new Princesshay Shopping area in Exeter yesterday. A bit weird, too many girly shops. It was so long ago that the old one was there I can't remember it. We need a few manly stores like a spearo store!

 

[Spiderman]

Anyone been in recently? Anyone found any decent vis?
Hoping for a day off tomorrow and looking at Torbay but any info welcomed

 

[paulrossiter]

Exe Spearfishing Club - October Competition

Hi All,

Please E mail me [paulrossiter9@hotmail.com] if you want the competition details for our October competition at Meadfoot Beach in Torquay.

We tried earlier in the season to have a competition at the same venue but the poor early season conditions beat us.

Please take particular note of the national diver float requirements.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me on my e mail address or Dave O'Callaghan.

Cheers

Paul

 

[jwells1989]

hey nice catch spearheads, are there usually many fish still around at this time of year, i went in yesterday and only saw wrasse, but lots of them. wioll give it another go today.
josh