Victoria BC/South Island/Gulf Islands, looking for dive partner/locations!

[Gronchula]

Hey all, I've been a lurker here for many years, I just moved to Victoria BC a couple months ago and am getting setup for spearing this year. I'm totally out of practice, but I am looking for someone(s) to dive with, and show me some of the local spots preferably spearing.

I';ve been having a bit of trouble finding places to spear on the south end of the island here, but I was looking at going to the SE shore of Saturna Island, and possibly E side becher bay for now, as it's easily accessible for me from Victoria.

If anyone has some spots they could point me at, I'd be forever indebted! I have the entire summer and fall off work and want to get out as much as I can, bus travel up north island for trips is surely possible as I do not have any obligations these days.

Cheers
Nick

 

[uberman]

I live across the strait from you in Port Angeles, Wa. and I am out in the strait and along the coast all the time. I hunt Ling Cod, Cabezon, Halibut, Dungeness Crab, and some pelagics. I have a small zodiac, a banks board and a SUP that I use depending upon where I am going. I also have an enhanced ID which means I can legally enter Canada. If you want to come over for a day I can meet you at the Ferry terminal in Port Angeles, or if you need a partner in Canada, I could buy a canadian license and meet you in Victoria. I always wanted to go spearing on Vancouver Island, but it seems that nothing is ever open to spearfishing-just hook and line. Drop me a line or call if you like: Mike 1 360 461 0350

 

[C4sea]

Hey Nick
I am an out of practice, out of shape freediver with high designs on sorting out some spearo action by next spring. I gotta plan though, going to get out in the water, get back in shape, and buy me a gun soon and learn to hunt down some fish dinner! What could possibly go wrong with that plan? :blackeye :crutch

Seriously though, I would love to dive with you, I need to find some partners as I am going to be new to Vic start of September. I wanna start spearing and would love to see how its done :martial I'm sure with a bit of momentum, other peeps will come out of the woodwork for some sessions.

You didnt mention, do u spear with bubbles or breath-hold? I do have a PADI card, but its been a while (and I prefer free-spearing)....

Clarke

 

[Gronchula]

Glad I checked this thread again! I don't have a vehicle, but I've been going to East Sooke 2-3x a week for spearing all summer. I found an area I really like, with not too much boat traffic, and lots of rocky reef and eel grass. My diving is all from shore, and I usually end up swimming about 3km round trip to get to good reef areas in the ocean, 3-4hrs in the water generally speaking. But I do need a hunting partner out here, I've only met scuba divers so far on the island.

I do spear breath-hold though, and I have my PADI card as well, but I honestely haven't gone scuba diving in nearly 5 years now.

I'm about to get a lot busier with work, but I need to get my passport in order and I'd be up for spearing in the states for sure, it may end up having to wait untill next year though depending on my schedule for the next bit. As for comming up here, that would be great too - but I just moved out here and probably am not the best guide. I found a good location, and I've just been going back to the same area. That said, it would be great to split rental/fuel costs on a boat, and explore some nice spots.

 

[uberman]

Good to see you found a good spot to hunt. I have my 'Enhanced Drivers ID' that I got from the dept. of motor vehicles. I just had to bring in my birth certificate, some ID and answer some questions. The season here winds down Oct 13, so Ive been going out to the west end/Pacific for spearing. Hope you can come over, or I come over to spear w/ you. Its not too bad-just getting past customs and the price of the ferry, as the guy on the other side can meet you at the ferry terminal. Let me know if you ever have any spearing plans on the US side, or any need for a partner on your side, as I could come into Victoria from the ferry here.

Mike
360 461 0350

 

[Atilla]

Hallo all,

I've also been a lurker on the DB forums for a bit now, seeking insight into my new passion. I live in Vancouver and spearfish with a friend in Howe Sound almost every weekend. We've been talking about a weekend trip to the west coast of VAN ISL, or even the possibility of a Washington trip.

Sooke isn't too far, and seems promising, as does Ucluelet. Would love to meet up with you all if we can decide on a date/location?

Would also love to hear what you're catching/seeing up there in Sooke GRONCHULA?
UBERMAN, what are the regs like in WA? Have you explored the west coast of WA?

Until soon,
Tome

 

[uberman]

Atilla,

the regs here open up for most species on the west coast in March. Right now the best bet is to go after Cabezon out west by Neah Bay. Id be happy to take you to some areas that I have had luck in. The fish and habitat here-Port angeles and west, is spectacular. I went to Victoria and the waters around there this fall-totally different habitat. If your hitting any new spots in BC I'd love to come over and hook up as well. Right now I am waiting for scallops to open-its been closed for biotoxin since summer but I talked to fisheries and they said it will open soon and I have a spot all lined up for some big scallops. Lets stay in touch!

Mike soiseth
1 360 461 0350

 

[Gronchula]

Hey Mike! We should have gone too my usual area on the S/W side of the island, live and learn!. I';ve been going there with another fellow from the boards quite a bit Probably a lot closer to what you're talking about. Went out last week even, bit chilly now!

Still lookin forward to spearing when it's open again down there(and up north), I have my EID and am ready to go!

BTW, sooke is my usual hunting grounds. We have some good spots out there, but boat accessable only.

 

[uberman]

Well, lets do it sometime up in BC. Another place I want to go is to take the ferry up to Alaska. That could prove to be epic if we can research the right location. Day up, spear a day or two and anothe day to come back via ferry. Something to think about.

 

[Gronchula]

Definitely. I'm always up for hunting! When does the season open again in washington?

Attilla, if you're ever on the island I'll happily go diving with you... Also, I go back to Vancouver quite often - I don't drive, but I stay downtown and I can bring my gear in my backpack to spear around howe sound with you.

Right now, ling and rockfish are closed, next spring we're gonna go for big lings and halibuts though. I'm only hunting crabs, greenling, and perch right now. I'll be out shore diving again this morning

Here's a couple takes from my shore diving spot in Sooke... If I'm shore diving, that little island about 1km out with a couple big trees on it in the middle of the photo is where I hunt.

 

[uberman]

Ling opens in March on the West End. Nice Pictures-looks like plenty of places for the fish to hang out. Well get you over here in early 2013.

 

[Gronchula]

Ling opens in March on the West End. Nice Pictures-looks like plenty of places for the fish to hang out. Well get you over here in early 2013.

Yap lots of big rock, cliffs, ravines, and huge deep drop offs... Can't wait!

 

[efattah]

Willis point in Saanich Inlet is another idea. The valley of the white lady in the inlet is another great spot, but you need a kayak to reach it and the visibility is super random.