Spearing north wales

[manalive!]

I don't know which is worse, cancelling or driving for 2-3 hours and finding out that I've wasted my time and then driving back again

 

[ManicFlippy]

Equally bad is if you cancel expecting a wash out and then see other peoples posts of a good day out. That torments me nearly as much as a long drive to just look at the sea

 

[Foxy]

Unless its desperate, I might go down on fri eve and send you all back a report..... Maybe.....

 

[manalive!]

Foxy,

I don't think I'd bother, it's going to blow all week. But if you do, please post your findings. If it's half decent I might give it a go.

 

[Broseidon]

I'll second that - I don't think it's worth the bother Pat but will be interested to hear whatever!

 

[Bass-Debater]

If the Northerly On Thursday doesn't materialise the north coast might be ok by the weekend.
Has anyone any info on the Menai straits. Tide hights and times. I've been in there once on a neap, Vis was pretty bad.

 

[manalive!]

Try here for tide times.

http://www.tidetimes.org.uk/


Be careful in you do get in the Menai, it can be savage.

 

[Bass-Debater]

Try here for tide times.

Tide Times


Be careful in you do get in the Menai, it can be savage.

Thanks for the advice and the link, very handy.

I was after info like best state of tide to get in on, HW slack/ LW slack and in relation to witch port? Dusk / Dawn/ midday.
The Menai isn't going to be as affected by the wind as much given there isn't much fetch.

It could be worth some investigation for when the winds have murked everywhere els up.

 

[denian]

Master Dario dived Bangor pier I believe I'd like to have a go one day with boat cover on what state of tide I'm not sure but high water slack maybe best !.sit at the end throw a float in and wait for it to stop pulling !drop in to the darkness n gloom.keep ya wits about ya!Very fishy I think.? Any local boys been in there ?Will be down at weekend no matter the weather!.

 

[dyl12321]

regarding the swellies,
hours before hw hw hours after hw
springs 0.6 1.4 2.3 3.3 3.1 0.3 1.4 2.3 2.8 2.4 2.2 1.4 0.1
neaps 0.3 0.7 1.2 1.7 1.6 0.2 0.7 1.2 1.5 1.2 1.2 0.7 0.0
rate in knots

this is taken off my charts for the swellies. hope it helps

 

[DafyddRees]

Diving the straits is one of the most exhilarating dives you can do. Tried a few places with mixed success but only from the shore. Please be very careful though... Or just don't mention you want to dive there when your dive partner is on the phone to their gf.

 

[Broseidon]

...just don't mention you want to dive there when your dive partner is on the phone to their gf.

Ha ha ha ha!!! That was a painful conversation! Especially when the prime condition for me being allowed to go diving was that under no conditions was I allowed anywhere near the Straits rofl

 

[Bass-Debater]

Nice one Dyl,

so slack LW is better for rate of tide but I'm guessing slack HW will be better for vis?
Daffydd and Bro what do you thing? What tides did you get in on?

 

[Broseidon]

We popped in on a low tide under the big bridge, just for a swim, no spearing.

One thing I would say is watch out for the barnacles - every single surface is covered with millions on them - no waves to smash them up, I suppose. I made the fundamental error of not wearing gloves... it was really shallow and we spent ages pulling ourselves through the 2 foot deep water - by the time I got out my hands were slashed to pieces and dripping pink drops! Stung for days! :waterwork

Was a really fun dive though!

 

[Bass-Debater]

It's funny how you don't feel the barnacle cuts till your out of the water. I found this.
http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s422/BassDestruction/71136a99.jpg

 

[ManicFlippy]

I've thought about the straits often when the rest of the coast is surfing. It always looks so inviting and the fishing reports seem to paint it in a good light not to mention its a shorter drive, but have headed the warnings about the tides/currents. I guess if you study the charts and tides you could do with relative safety on the neap.

Daffyd you said 'exhilarating' was that due to current or other

And Bro same question about your comment a 'fun' dive

 

[Broseidon]

And Bro same question about your comment a 'fun' dive

Hmmm... it was just a totally surreal dive. Swimming around under MASSIVE suspension bridge, in a big angry river which was actually the sea is pretty damn cool! The fact I'd been told it was really dangerous and that I was forbidden from going there just added to the enjoyment

I think it was sometime in March and everyone who saw us just stopped and stared at us as if we were on crack.

 

[dyl12321]

the forbidden fruit, you cant help but try it.

I had a look under the suspension bridge today and vis was 3+ meters. I'm very tempted.

 

[manalive!]

If it's too fierce in the main current you can always stay in the margins in what I'd call, for want of a better term, side pools. If you get it right you can just get on the edge of the main current, ride that for a bit and then drop back in to the pool and ride a back eddy current back from where you started then do it all again.

 

[DafyddRees]

I am not even pretending to be knowledgable about diving the straits having only dived it a dozen times or so. The first few times, I entered on slack and got out just after the current shifted. It took me a while until I felt confident enough to tackle it during the tide on a spot I had dived previously. The reason it is exhilarating ( and danngerous) is due to the extremely variable topography of the sea bed, e.g. The swellies, means that you can literally fly through a gulley or be pulled down a 14m face to the bottom depending on what state of tide you dive it on. Secondly, experience allows you to recognise a few hidden Eddies that can be dived safely which allows you to fish a sizeable area without expending too much energy.

It is a great dive but again I reiterate, go with some one who knows the dive and you are a competent diver. Being helpless at 50ft waiting for the current to spit you out is never a fun prospect.