Sussex report 2008

[Old Man Dave]

You might want to look in on the current last page of the Guernsey thread. I know we're south of you but the trend is now to have bass present all year (for the shore anglers to catch anyway).
http://forums.deeperblue.net/guernsey/75314-guernsey-2008-a-35.html#post694976

Dave

 

[KWM]

Yes I totally agree Dave, the only thing that holds us back is the lack of viz in the winter months. I have dived as late as the 22nd December, and caught Bass, we usually start again Feb/March. Basically as soon as we can see there might be some vizability.

Kev

 

[Old Man Dave]

Hi Kev

This year (2008) so far the vis has been poor and that's following on from one of the worst years (2007) for vis in the last 40 years. Generally we can get some very good vis in winter. Sure when it's stormy the vis is crap but with no plankton in winter when it's calm the vis can be good. We used to wreck dive (on scuba) in the winter because it was only then when the vis was sometimes good enough to see large sections of the wreck.

Back to bass. I think bass being present inshore is a new and developing situation and if we get some better winter vis i think we'll be amonst them, especially on night dives.

Here's hoping and good luck to all.

Dave

 

[KWM]

How long is the bad weather going to last? Trigger finger is getting itchy,

Kev

 

[SurfnSpear]

They're arriving...taking up residence in those holes....taunting you...taunting you...rofl

 

[jwells1989]

the winds are supposed to turn northerly on monday do you think that will turn the water clear?
this bad weather seems to be lasting for ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KWM]

Just checked the weather winds going Northerly from tommorow for three or four days. Shs ! don't tell anyone. Every man and his dog will be in otherwise.

Kev

 

[jwells1989]

i have been watching the weather like a hawk these last few days and the sea is starting to clear at last, it is still looking a bit stirred up today just been down to the piers and checked, but i am pretty certan that we might have some vis tommorow for a shore dive, what does everyone else think and thee notherly winds are he to stay for a bit i think!!!!!!!!!
is anyone planning on going out, i will probably dive the west pier or something tomorow morning!

 

[spear4food]

It looks calm and may just be starting to clear but is still too cold for a 5mm suit IMO

 

[spear4food]

jwells, let us know if you do go??????

 

[KWM]

Josh let us know if you get in and what was viz is like.

Kev

 

[jwells1989]

yeah i will, i hope it is clear enough, cant wait to go again.

 

[jwells1989]

spear4food do you have a 5mm elios mtm i remember you saying, you would be fine in that at this time of year i went in february in my 5mm omer suit and did not feel the cold at all.

 

[spear4food]

Josh, yes i have. I think it has turned colder since then. You also said there were no fish either. However the moment you tell me different is when i christen it

 

[jwells1989]

haha yeah, have you not used it yet you will be very suprised how warm it is.
lets hope there are some fish about tommorow.

 

[jwells1989]

just been down the beach and checked and it is not looking good, water is still coloured to well beyond the pier. this is soooo annoying i really want to go, winds are supposed to pick up later this evening so is probabaly going to mess the vis up even more.

 

[eric aqua]

Calm down Jwells it is early days, the weather will change for the better. Get your running shoes on or pull out a squash racket, I used to run three miles every other night and plan all my national dives in my head including a plan B for each one. Contact the Sussex lads and see if there is any way you can improve your gear.

 

[jwells1989]

haha, yeah just getting bored, nice idea but not a big fan of running!
i'll stick to surfing in this rough weather,

 

[KWM]

Hello all, please see attached information about our National competition this year.

SUSSEX NATIONAL COMPETITION BOGNOR 2008

Venue Bognor Reef
Date April 26th (Sat)
Back Up Date Sept 20th (Sat)
Meeting Point 'The Green' junction of Marine Drive West and Silverston Avenue, West Bognor 9.00am
Start & Finish From the Green
Competition Area Felpham Buoy to Barn Rocks
Start Time 10.00 am
Finish 16.00 pm.
Fish As per National Rules, Bass 45cm
Entry Fee Senior £15 Including Raffle
Juniors & OAPs Free

Competitors must not swim inside of the yellow buoys east of the pier.

Contact E-mail kevinmannall@hotmail.co.uk or PM at deeper blue
or eric.aquaman@btinternet.com
Note
Bass 45cm in the Sussex Area
Wrasse & Congers Excluded
Pollack 300gms for juniors but will not count for national pos.
Juniors must have signed permission from an adult to dive.

Compasses are a national rule, as fog is a real problem at this time of year, make sure you have one or you may not be able to fish.

UNDERSIZE FISH SHOULD NOT BE LANDED.

History

We are holding the competition early again hoping to catch the arrival of the Bream and Pollack shoals like the very successful dive last year. The start is from the beach to take advantage of the big up coming tide that seems to produce more big bass, like the fish of 8 kilos that came out of this area last season!

Watch out for Boats including Yachts there are launch ramps and sailing clubs in the area.

regards Kev

 

[KWM]

The other competition dates for 2008 are,

26 April 2008 Bognor, shore dive (Sussex Club) (Back up 20 September 2008)

8 June 2008 St Albans (if can organise boat dive)/if not Durdle Door (Wessex Club) (Back up date 22 June 2008)

12 July 2008 Portland Bill (LIC) (Back up date TBC)

27 July 2008 Selsey (Southsea Club) (Back up date TBC)

8/9 August 2008 Seaton (Plymouth Club – Alan Mills) (Back up date TBC)

7 September 2008 Sandy Bay (Exeter Club) – no wrasse, no dogfish, no congers. (Back up date TBC)

Regards Kev