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South Devon report 2007

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.
Finally had some free time and got in the water for my first dip of the year. Knowing that it had been calm for a while I went for the East Devon Option only to find a suprising amount of swell and visibility that struggled to reach 1m at times. The results were not good - biggest thing seen was the wreck of the Napoli, the only fish seen were starfish. I used the time as a chance to test my Christmas presents, new mask, snorkel and weight belt and to try out my new D3. The problem with the D3 was that it was tempting to watch the screen rather than concentrate on surroundings so I managed to bump my head on rocks in the murk a couple of times. rofl
Equipment testing done, ready for some better vis and some bass! :)
 
That swell put me off going into day. Was going to give ansteys cove a try, find some new reefs, but i was sure it was going to be a waste of time with that swell.
That swell turns west on Saturday, next week should be good.:)

Whats the D3 like I'm tempted to invest in one.
 
I'm going to be in E. Devon for the next few days (with yak). Sounds like the vis. is good - any more news on the swells? I've got some ideas of places to try -- any recommendations for places to visit or not to visit under current conditions?
(I didn't realise they sunk the Napoli - thought they were going to remove the containers & then salvage her. New reef?:)).
 
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Spearheads,
I was very pleased with the D3. I bought the neoprene strap as an extra as I didn't like the look of the standard strap. The best thing about it is that you don't have to do anything - dive and it automatically starts counting your dive time, come back to the surface and it starts counting your surface interval. Current depth, max depth and dive time can all be seen at the same time. Another cool feature is it's memory function that keeps a record of all your dives so you can relive them all afterwards. My only disappointment was that I am currently so unfit that all my recorded data yesterday was pretty unimpressive.
 
Mr X,
The only reason I go to E Devon is that I can get there in 45 minutes! Most sites lose visibility very quickly as soon as there is any swell.
Yesterday I was at Sidmouth hoping for some mullet as they do appear over the sandy bottom there sometimes and I had a 3lb one last year.
I have tried Chit Rocks but concluded they were named by a diver who couln't spell!
On Monday I was out with the kids in our inflatable boat. We launched at Charmouth and I was surprised how clear the water was over the rocks there as it was very cloudy over the beach - certainly a place to try sometime.
Beer would certainly be worth a look and possibly offer better visibility in the current conditions.
Seatown is reputed to be quite good but there is a lot of clay around that seems to stay suspended in the water for ages after swell.

The Napoli wasn't sunk as such - they just grounded it. They might yet refloat it once alll the containers are unloaded.
 
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The weather is going to improve. The swell will turn west and we have a few days with no east winds, Torquay can only handle east winds under 10 mph.

The D3 sounds great, you can never have to many gadgets, just need some money haha.
 
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Dived a secret location over the weekend and speared the first 2 bass of the season.:) :t
Dived again today with the camera not the gun so i will post some pics later, Also a dozen scallops also caught today.

Don't know if anyone else knows this but babbacombe is a famous dive spot for the cuttlefish, Got some pics of them, they are funny to watch first they worry about you but they soon accept you as a friend.:)
 
Nice picrures Spearheads. Makes the water look real clean. How was it? Many fish generally. Got the next 2 days off and fancy either Thurlstone or Babbacombe area (unless the surfs any good tomorrow):)
 
Wow. The zoom on your camera makes the cuttlefish seem enourmous! I've seen a few around Anstey's Cove before just round the corner. Trouble is they are so well camoflaged that by the time I've notice them they're spooked. They just look like loose bit of seaweed out the corner of your eye.
 
Jez i was not using the zoom on my camera that's how big they are, that's the reason the bay is famous. The beach is full of pots its such a waste.

If you want to get close to them move real slow and let them come to you.

Jez you said you were looking for a spot to dive well oddicombe is producing nice size bass ,had two on Saturday ( dam given my spot away ).
 
Hey looking good and if the bass are about, summer season is on. Very nice photos, I have seen cuttlefish only during my long aspettos in Budleigh, they usually just come by and leave, no time for fancy photos session. Those pictures look really nice!

I miss devon.. nice place to dive compared to our muddy puddle here..

Pekka
 
Great pics spearheads. dived meadfoot yesterday to try my new suit out. saw two pollack no bigger then the fish in my fishtank and a wrasse , water was milky and vis was about 2 meters max. Tried out the new fins MY GOD they great. trip to the bottom is half the effort now although I am going to have to add more weights to my belt as my new suit is a lot thicker then my summer suit
 
Just got back from E. Devon. Gorgeous location, lovely weather - not many fish about yet though.

Viz at Beer was disappointing: 1-1.5m (poor to fair) - poor at surface, better below. Saw no fish (except 1 small wrasse & just one star fish) or crabs (except a lot caught by old pot fisherman - 1 was HUGE - but he reckoned the pickings were nothing compared to times past). Did see what appeared to be "bounty" from the Napoli (3 medicine-ball size balls of blue wool & a new a/c hose assembly) between the Halls & Beer Head.

So kayaked Ladram bay next day -- cool coast line, lots of stacks. Didn't bother spearing, water looked murky although it seemed clearer at the bay immediately beyond all the stacks. I caught one tiny fish from the beach with a small spinning rod (see "sea angling for spearos" thread later this week for details) - first fish of the seasonrofl (returned).

Visited Budleigh Salterton this morning. Most convenient kayak unloading/loading (although parking restrictions start in May). Didn't have time to dive but would have liked to - although visibility did not look great from the kayak today. Tried rod fishing from the yak (we usually just troll a handline) - which seemed to work quite well ... although no bites.
 
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Nice pics spearhead, not many orange spots on your place though! Do you think it could be a flounder?

I also think its a flounder it didn't taste like a place, I thought it was a place at first because up close it had some orange spots.

No pics of the bass they were eaten before a photo:) .

Scott Mead foot takes a little longer to clear up i always find, If you dive at the five-not bouy at babbacombe there is some clear water 6 meters, and lots of scallops.

I'm diving with the gun tomorrow its bass time.:)

a vid 11 meters babbacombe [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVk9yXHGCEo]YouTube - babbacombe dive[/ame]
 
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