Spearfishing trip

[Deepblue2]

Hi everyone, I am looking at going to cape Vidal for a spear fishing trip with a friend end of Nov. We don't have a boat so shore entry it is but I've heard it's not the best place for shoreys and seeing that you are limited to game fish was hoping someone can point me in a better direction. We are both beginners, I surf and scuba so currents and drift dives and fitness etc should be ok but I don't want to make it harder than it needs to be. Obviously a place with good visibility would be nice as I have tried to go diving at places with less than a meter visibility. Anywhere up the north coast around Vidal's area is what we are aiming for as we will be coming from Pongola's side. Any tips will be much appreciated. I wish I could tell you what type of gun I have but i don't actually know. I can hold my breath and aim fairly straight. i do not have flashers or any of the other nice stuff for now so seriously- a beginner...Any info and suggestions will be much appreciated. O and is end of Nov a bad time for spearing north coast because we can postpone it till end of Jan if needs be.

 

[landshark sa]

Hiya Deepblue2,

Unfortunately I don't know Vidal well enough to give you any advice around diving there. It may be worth contacting someone local to the area such as Chris Coates.

Email: saltydiver@gmail.com
Cell: xxxx

He knows that area VERY well and should be able to give you some good advice.

 

[Stephan Whelan]

Moved to Africa/Middle East Forum

 

[Stephan Whelan]

@landshark sa - i've removed your phone number for privacy reasons. Please use private messaging for that sort of info.

 

[landshark sa]

@landshark sa - i've removed your phone number for privacy reasons. Please use private messaging for that sort of info.

Appreciate your concern Stephan, however this is not my number, it's the number of Chris Coates as published on his public website so already available on the www.

 

[MozSpearer]

Hi Deepblue2



I have dived at Cape Vidal last year in April. Would just like to share my experience from there. You are correct in saying that shore dives aren’t ideal there.



Last year I was also quite inexperienced but aware of my safety and currents etc. And I also dived with at least one dive buddy.



My first dive was at Mission Rocks +- 20kms South of the campsite. The surf was so bad we couldn’t swim past the second break zone. I was also overweighted making things even harder. Had to clip my weightbelt onto the float to avoid exhaustion. We soon gave up and headed for land. And ended up waaaayy North from where we entered. Because the current was South-North instead of the usual strong North-South. Always watch the current! Didn’t even load the gun..



And a few days later we walked to Maiden Bay about 1.5km South from the main beach. This time wiser and weightless. Got out easily since we could jump in behind the break zone from rocks. Things started good. Viz 10m or so, relatively calm seas.



Got my flasher out and started swimming north. Then the expected North-South current came slowly. The South also started churning the sea to foam. But the worst was we didn’t see a single fish!! NEVER MIND A GAMEFISH! Although south from the beacon any fish is game if I have it right.. But in more than an hour’s time we didn’t see a single fish even with the flasher out!



To top it all off we had to swim the 250m or so back to shore against a rip! At least we are both strong swimmers so was more of an inconvenience rather than a danger.



So my advice would be to contact Chris like landshark said. Seems like he knows his stuff. And if you can, you should give Leven Point a dive. That is probably the best dive spot at Cape Vidal. It’s about 25km boat ride North but I’m sure Chris will know it well. He seems very knowledgeable on this area so be sure to try and contact him.



I’m no expert in this area but thought you might find a was-newbie’s on the same area useful. Let us know how things work out.



Cheers mate

Mozzie

 

[Deepblue2]

tx so much for the feedback Landshark, will mail him. Mozzie, it does help a lot so tx a mil bru. I don't get a lot of opportunities to go spearing so i don't want to waste it swimming against tides without seeing any fish so really appreciate it.

 

[Deepblue2]

tx so much for the feedback Landshark, will mail him. Mozzie, it does help a lot so tx a mil bru. I don't get a lot of opportunities to go spearing so i don't want to waste it swimming against tides without seeing any fish so really appreciate it

Hi Deepblue2



I have dived at Cape Vidal last year in April. Would just like to share my experience from there. You are correct in saying that shore dives aren’t ideal there.



Last year I was also quite inexperienced but aware of my safety and currents etc. And I also dived with at least one dive buddy.



My first dive was at Mission Rocks +- 20kms South of the campsite. The surf was so bad we couldn’t swim past the second break zone. I was also overweighted making things even harder. Had to clip my weightbelt onto the float to avoid exhaustion. We soon gave up and headed for land. And ended up waaaayy North from where we entered. Because the current was South-North instead of the usual strong North-South. Always watch the current! Didn’t even load the gun..



And a few days later we walked to Maiden Bay about 1.5km South from the main beach. This time wiser and weightless. Got out easily since we could jump in behind the break zone from rocks. Things started good. Viz 10m or so, relatively calm seas.



Got my flasher out and started swimming north. Then the expected North-South current came slowly. The South also started churning the sea to foam. But the worst was we didn’t see a single fish!! NEVER MIND A GAMEFISH! Although south from the beacon any fish is game if I have it right.. But in more than an hour’s time we didn’t see a single fish even with the flasher out!



To top it all off we had to swim the 250m or so back to shore against a rip! At least we are both strong swimmers so was more of an inconvenience rather than a danger.



So my advice would be to contact Chris like landshark said. Seems like he knows his stuff. And if you can, you should give Leven Point a dive. That is probably the best dive spot at Cape Vidal. It’s about 25km boat ride North but I’m sure Chris will know it well. He seems very knowledgeable on this area so be sure to try and contact him.



I’m no expert in this area but thought you might find a was-newbie’s on the same area useful. Let us know how things work out.



Cheers mate

Mozzie

 

[MozSpearer]

Shot bru. Glad I could help. Yeah I think it's not worthwhile shore diving there. But if you can get on a boat go for it! Have fun.Cheers