South Devon Report 2008

[foxfish]

A new poll is now open. http://forums.deeperblue.net/spearo...un-options-4-trigger-location.html#post712828

 

[north1]

I dived the Breakwater yesterday with my kayak to try and haul some adandoned crab pots up but got side tracked with those pesky scallops and even managed to grab a brown crab out of a hole.

I dived the breakwater with KILLIEN this morning which was cool, water temp was around 9c a blustery wind made it a bit rough at times but still managed 15 scallops.

Killien if you want to hook up again sometime we can do the end of the breakwater for some pollack as soon as they come in.


I was going to buy one these hooks the divers use to pull the crabs out of holes today but they seem a little over priced at around £15 so I reckon an old spear shaft will do the trick anyone have any other ideas for a homemade lobster hook?

Try buying a cheap rod rest from Trago. Very cheap. Bend the end round and it will last for years. doesn't rust. Cheap and cheerful.
Maybe we could market it???
Good luck.

 

[Trelawney]

I normally buy a length of brass rod from Trago Mills for about £3, bend a hook on one end and a hoop on the other. I havn't had to make one for 8 or so years though. I've still got one my Grandad used to use 40 years ago.

I dived Heybrook bay last night. Not a fish to be seen, just some Pollock and wrasse, but the water was like an aquarium and quite warm(ish). Though I did see some fast moving mullet in the shallows as I was getting out.

 

[Mr. X]

Try buying a cheap rod rest from Trago. Very cheap. Bend the end round and it will last for years. doesn't rust. Cheap and cheerful.
Maybe we could market it???
Good luck.

Trago sounds even better than Lidls.

I have one of those SCUBA crab hooks/fish spikes. Although I've carried it in the past, I've yet to find it useful. I got mine from Portland Oceaneering's website 2 or 3 years ago. I think it was about £6, although I think the price had gone up last time I looked (I just checked & could not find it on their site: Home Page ).

It's a steel bar with smooth, blunt hook at one end and black plastic handle at the other. The handle has a black plastic wing-nut, if you loosen it, you can slide the hook toward the handle and a spike comes out of the bottom of the handle. Presumably to allow Scubies to spike flat fish.

The August edition of Field magazine had an excellent article on beachcombing a year or so ago, with brief instruction on making a crab hook for beachcombers. Basically about a metre of mild steel bar bent and attached to a broom handle.

 

[tribs]

Hi all

Went in tonight and although the viz had cleared slightly i still didn't see a single eating fish. Met North1 down there and he had a mullet and a wrasse. Heading to Looe for the weekend, anyone know anything about the spearfishing potential????

Tribs

 

[north1]

Tribs, There are some good areas around Looe. I remember going to a place to the east of Looe where there was a small river, not unlike the far end of Budleigh. There is another area that I can't remember at the moment. I will post again when it comes back to me.
There were a few mullet moving about tonight. Plenty of big wrasse and Dogs. Loads of spiders, but I didn't see any big ones.
The fish are now gutted and ready for the pot tomorrow. I will keep an eye on the weather and tides and see if we can get in for another evening dive. I would like to try high water close in. Those bass will be there. Maybe.
If anybody else fancies joining us, get in touch.

 

[James T]

Tribs - I pm'd you

 

[tribs]

Hi All

Can anyone suggest a good mask to invest in? I think something with a mirrored lense as i feel i have often spooked fish when they have seen my eyes.

Tribs

out

 

[scottwilson]

Tribs have you tried looking down to cover your face?


Dived Monday and bagged a cuttlefish and 4 nice bass :friday:friday:friday:friday first of the year and all good eating size.

Dived Tuesday in very crappy viz but still managed a mullet and my first flatfish ever, even managed a little video had the flatty for my tea and have to say I rate the meat.

Enjoy the clip.




[ame=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9ofuZL3F2Gw]YouTube - spearfishing flatfish[/ame]

 

[fearthespear]

Top flatty action!

Spearing vids are great!

 

[glowworm]

Nice flatty vid scottwilson.

Was it a plaice or a flounder.I personally prefer plaice to bass.

Any more pictures of the bass or the flattie.Don't forget the FOM competition.The winner is chosen by popular vote and effort for me is everything.

 

[scottwilson]

Hi glowworm Ive pics of the bass and the flattie on my fone so will post as soon as I get them off.

I think it was a flounder mate tasted loverly.

 

[Spaniard]

Hi All

Can anyone suggest a good mask to invest in? I think something with a mirrored lense as i feel i have often spooked fish when they have seen my eyes.

Tribs

out

Mirrored lenses are great in gin-clear water but in average UK viz conditions they aren't so great as they make everything 'darker'. Masks are a very personal choice because the only thing that really matters is how they 'sit' on your face; we all have different facial dimensions so trying them on first is a godsend. Not easy in UK because you can't walk into loads of spearo shops to try. See if you can borrow a mask from a mate, ideally you should be able to hold mask to face and breathe in through your nose to suck mask in; if it stays put without you holding it and no straps then you have a watertight seal which is what you want.

 

[podge]

Well done Scott I happen to be a flatfish fan as well, they taste great

 

[tribs]

Mirrored lenses are great in gin-clear water but in average UK viz conditions they aren't so great as they make everything 'darker'. Masks are a very personal choice because the only thing that really matters is how they 'sit' on your face; we all have different facial dimensions so trying them on first is a godsend. Not easy in UK because you can't walk into loads of spearo shops to try. See if you can borrow a mask from a mate, ideally you should be able to hold mask to face and breathe in through your nose to suck mask in; if it stays put without you holding it and no straps then you have a watertight seal which is what you want.

Thank you, much appreciated.

Are Omer Aliens any good or are they just popular because of the fancy livery. Been on Apnea online since and they all look much of a muchness all the masks but some do seem to offer huge fields of vision.

Tribs
Out

 

[Spaniard]

All the main manufacturers make decent low-volume masks - not much difference in price as it's not the most expensive part of your gear. Like I said, in an ideal world you could walk into a shop and try loads of different ones on but sadly not in the UK! Omer make good kit and the Alien mask is no exception; try using the search function to see what people have said about different masks here on DB.

 

[Doc]

I had a nice mirrored lens mask as I'd convinced myself the fish scarpered when i looked at them but as Spaniard says the vis in UK does mean you often dont see the fish till hes seen you anyway. Good when surfaceing into a setting sun though!!
Got a good plain lens a year ago and saw lots more fish but they still bugger off sharpish unless I'm totally hidden in weed.
The mirrorred mask is used for octopush now as well as in the hot tub with the wife!!!!! Did try then on the beach for a bit of totty spotting but the tan line was stupid Ha Ha

 

[badlander]

I've used an Omer alien Med for a few years now and it's been great,i tried mirrored but like has been said,it was gloomy on the darker days and i wasn't sure about it benefits anyway.I have a wider face and it's a real good fit for me.
Back to shooting line,i use a bright yellow shooting line as when stringering a fish,the detached spear and shooting line get dropped and it makes it a lot easier to find in the kelp.

 

[James T]

Hi Tribs - I use two masks (not cause I've got two heads or faces) an Omer Alien which is great but a bit big for my face. And the classic Cressi Super Occio. I think I prefer the super Occio. But both are really good.

James

 

[scottwilson]

I have moved to the DARKSIDE and am now a proud owner of a Seac asso 75. did a small review here

http://forums.deeperblue.net/pnumat...ub-asso-75-pneumatic-speargun.html#post713939

with a short video