South Devon Report 2008

[scottwilson]

Hi shiny1 was that in torbay or down Plymouth way?

 

[foxfish]

Guys dont miss out on the gun build .... http://forums.deeperblue.net/spearo...building-extravaganza-build-7.html#post711477

 

[north1]

Tribs,
I presume it was you I was speaking to on Monday afternoon before you went in? I said I would look out for your report.
Were they Dogfish or Bullhuss? I found my prawn pots were jammed with what looked like huss. Darker than dogfish.
I may be back towards the end of the week for a few spiders.
Cheers.

 

[glowworm]

Shiny1 the mullet would be OK to enter.

Remember it is a Fish of the Month Competition and is not species specific.Anyone with any fish could win aslong as the rules are followed.

 

[surcouf]

Dived Brixham at the weekend and had some lovely scallops. No fish. 1m viz, no wind or currents so can't complain. Went to Babbaccombe today and viz is still poor and still no fish.

 

[surcouf]

Tribs

I use ankle weights , 1kg each. Couldn't dive without them as the 6m thick boots are far too buoyant. Tried 0.6Kg and it was enough.

The weight belt doesn't hurt my back but it could be because it is too loose, when going down it moves onto my belly. I find it annoying but if securing it tightly to my waist means getting a backache, I'll stick with the ups and downs.

 

[Jonny250]

just thought i'd add my 2p on the ankle weights - i use 1kg on each ankle - so relatively extreme (i'm with you surcouf). i do this to remove the weight from my belt (i have a very useless titanium back and have to be jolly careful!). combined with a spetton jacket it works really well, my feet are always down when on the bottom.
funny, i lived in plymouth for the last 14 years and never came accross spearfishing!

 

[scottwilson]

Surcouf I always make sure my belt it is a snug fit .

Your body contracts the deeper you go, the thought of my weightbelt slipping past my hips and around my legs and fins while I finning back up to the surface creeps me right out.

 

[scottwilson]

Dived Brixham at the weekend and had some lovely scallops. No fish. 1m viz, no wind or currents so can't complain. Went to Babbaccombe today and viz is still poor and still no fish.

Brixhams good for scallops mate but keep an eye out for discarded fishing nets and ropes around the swimming pool area , the trawlers seem to dump there crap along there. Do you carry a knife?

 

[daveduvet]

should really leave the scallops alone for a few months now....let 'em do some lovin ready for next year!!
I dived last week and had another newspaper fish. Couldn't believe my luck!

Back to weights - I have a d-weight mould, if any one wants a belt let me know. Very comfy!

 

[surcouf]

Scott, I didn't see fishing nets and other nasties but did see a massive anchor, the old fashion style, at least 6 feet high and the same across. Getting a knife is on my list, can't decide which one though.

Dave you raised a good question, when is the season for scallops and crabs, in particular spider and edible ones? I can't find any info about it.

 

[scottwilson]

Ive always been told that the best time for crabs is any month with an r in it as the brown crab will be full of red berry ( the red meat packed in the top of the shell) A guy I work with gets some monster crabs off one of the trawlers and swears by the month thing.

 

[daveduvet]

Hi surcouf,

Hope this helps!!

Scallops -MCS rating 2. Avoid May-August because they are spawning. min size 10cm across shell

Spider Crab - MCS rating 3. Avoid april - july. Avoid egg carrying (berried) females at any time. Min size 12cm across the back.

Cuttle - MCS rating 4. Avoid spring and early summer because they are spawning. Min size 17cm.

Brown crab- MCS rating 3. Avoid January - March because they are spawning. Min size 14cm across back.

 

[daveduvet]

Here is a link to the Marine Conservation Society’s website. An excellent site for the responsible spearo!! Fish to Avoid

 

[surcouf]

So what you're saying Dave, is that I'm currently diving whilst the scallops and spider crabs are at it!
Thank you both for the info. I also like the R rule of thumb for the months of the year.

I wonder if we could hydroponically grow scallops?

 

[daveduvet]

So what you're saying Dave, is that I'm currently diving whilst the scallops and spider crabs are at it!

Ever wonder why the sea tastes salty?

 

[tribs]

Tribs,
I presume it was you I was speaking to on Monday afternoon before you went in? I said I would look out for your report.
Were they Dogfish or Bullhuss? I found my prawn pots were jammed with what looked like huss. Darker than dogfish.
I may be back towards the end of the week for a few spiders.
Cheers.

Hi All

North1, it was indeed Tribs you spoke to on the beach. They were Huss, i just always say dogs as most people know the difference from the lesser and greater spotted dogfish. Nice to meet another man of the sea. Much more fish activity out there than expected though. Huge pull from the swell hitting the reef and in that viz was unbelievably unproductive. Oceanic watch on freedive mode says i only did 2 dives over 5ft. One down to 2.6 and the other to 3,2m so all my time was obvioulsy spent in the little patch of vis laid out flat on my belly in the shallows!!!!

Tribs
Out

Boat friday night but down there Sat if you want to meet up? PM if necessary

 

[James T]

Hey Tribs - where is the closest I can launch from near Budleigh - I have a 4m Zodiac Rib?

Cheers

 

[scottwilson]

Booked the day off work yesterday and took the yak out for a bit of reef diving. Water was a little churned but very doable.

Viz around the reef was 5 meters and could see the bottom from the yak

went indian style in the reeds and watched a big shoal of bass :inlove which were just out of my reach, saw loads of pollack but nothing of any good size. How deep are the 4lb's I dont seem to see anything bigger then 2lb.


At Low tide I headed inland and found mullet zooming around the shallows, a few big ones in the shoal but left them as It was bass I was after.

Had a great day with lots of fish seen but nothing taken as Im holding out for a nice big flyflicker style bass. Did a bit of Fishing during my "lunch break" on the yak and promptly bird nested my reel twice so gave up ( took the wrong reel)


I really need to declutter my yak roflrofl

 

[tribs]

Hey Tribs - where is the closest I can launch from near Budleigh - I have a 4m Zodiac Rib?

Exmouth Docks or Memorial/rugby ground slip. Could do a beach launch at Sidmouth or Budleigh. I launch a sixteen footer of budleigh (hardboat) straight of the beach.

sorry its late on the reply, been in all day and got to play cards before the big fight live!! Report later

nice to meet North1, Killien and his friend Chris the Chef today!!!!!!!!!!