Saturday 7 March was the last club competition. Coffs Harbour Bluewater Freedivers arrange an annual trip to a spearfishing venue as a club holiday. Lots of frivolity and good times but some diving thrown in.
Conditions had been reasonable. The chocolate had cleared a lot and earlier in the week, divers had reported great sightings around the Big Island. We were at Wooli about 2 hrs N of Coffs and considerably closer to the Big Island. For a change there was a great attendance with almost all the club members competing. We even had some visitors from Nambucca join us.
Michael and I decided to look at the Big Island, while some divers headed further N. We found hardly any current which tends to throw a spanner in the works. A number of boats had already stationed themselves over the pinnacles N of the Big Island and we moved to the gutters in front of NW rocks. I don't know if there is anything as disappointing as lying on the bottom in clean, warm water and seeing nothing. I dived for a 1/2 hour and found I had hardly drifted away from the anchored boat at all.
Next move to the S end of the island. On the first dive I mess up with a Bluebar and that seemed to set the mood for the day. I soon missed another Bluebar. I was not very comfortable with my recent gun setup. Changed the Freedivers spear to something else, after it was bent and the new spear was affecting my aim. I found some Scads being harassed by monster Mack Tuna (Kawakawa) around the 7kg mark. They did not behave like the smaller speedsters of their species do. They hung around looking at me. Oh well at least I would weigh something. Forget it. My aim was way off and I missed on both chances I had. I was sore about that because both fish were sitters and should have been a sure thing.
Kept at it, pounding away at the deep dives and encountered some Tailor on my way up. Over-excitement chased them before I could take a shot and then to make matters worse I found a Bluebar at about 22m and it was quite calm. I lay still paying it no attention and the longer I lay the more excited it became, until it shot off farting out bits of coral. I climbed into the boat nursing a severely bruised ego.
Michael took one shot all day, nailing 2 Bludger at the same time. Back at the weigh in, some nice fish were put onto the scales. John had a nice bag of Moses Perch, Mangrove Jack, Bluebar and Maori Cod but Kurt's 5.5kg Bluebar was voted the best fish of the day. Fortunately the guys from Nambucca were only over for a friendly. Between 2 of their divers, they got a lovely Samsonfish and 3 Spanish, so the fish are around.
Being quiet is important. It starts when working at the surface, not banging on the hull of the boat to when you dive, gliding in to the bottom. Try not to bash your gear around on the bottom or scrape your fins over the bottom. Some divers have a clever technique of pulling themselves along the bottom with their free arm thus limiting the racket they create. Your eyes seem to give your intentions away. Try to avoid looking directly at your quarry. Keep your eyes slightly closed or away from the fish.
At the moment Cyclone Hamish is stuffing the conditions up completely and the weather predictions are for a clearing this weekend. Let's hope.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
5 March 2009
Dived on Sunday 1st March in the club competition. Conditions looked good but as it panned out, the situation was still a little mucky and you had to move around to find suitable conditions. We started at the wave recorder and the Coffs FAD. The conditions at the wave recorder were poor but the FAD was quite spectacular, unfortunately there were very few fish around. Met up with some other divers at the FAD who were going to call it a day because the water was so putrid. We persevered and actually went back to where these divers had just come from. The conditions were still mucky and I still had no fish.
We moved inshore about 500m from the Lighthouse and the situation improved quite dramatically. Viz was better and there were many more fish around. In the end I got an Amberjack, Samsonfish, Rainbow Runner and a Fusilier. That closes my account for Rainbow Runners and Fusiliers. Michael whacked me again. He weighed Samsonfish, Yellowtail, Amberjack, Rainbow Runner and a nice Mangrove Jack. The Jack came from a school of 4 good fish found in really shallow water. I almost lost my Amberjack to a Whaler that gave me a really hard time.
Since the weekend, I have had reports of some good fish seen at the Big Island. During a dive, several large Wahoo attacked a school of smallish Yellowfin Tuna. The Yellowfin were in a school with some very big Mack Tuna. Some time into the dive, 2 small Black Marlin were also encountered. Yesterday John took some divers back to the Big Island and they got some smallish Spanish, again the Yellowfin and Mack Tuna were around. On one of the shallower reefs, Mantas were found and following them a school of big Cobia. A Cobia of 22.5kg was landed from the school, the diver in question spearing it 3 times before managing to subdue it.
This weekend is the March club competition coinciding with the club annual trip. We are going about 2 hours N to Wooli. All things point to a good weekend of diving. So lots of Sushi and fresh fish for supper this weekend.
We moved inshore about 500m from the Lighthouse and the situation improved quite dramatically. Viz was better and there were many more fish around. In the end I got an Amberjack, Samsonfish, Rainbow Runner and a Fusilier. That closes my account for Rainbow Runners and Fusiliers. Michael whacked me again. He weighed Samsonfish, Yellowtail, Amberjack, Rainbow Runner and a nice Mangrove Jack. The Jack came from a school of 4 good fish found in really shallow water. I almost lost my Amberjack to a Whaler that gave me a really hard time.
Since the weekend, I have had reports of some good fish seen at the Big Island. During a dive, several large Wahoo attacked a school of smallish Yellowfin Tuna. The Yellowfin were in a school with some very big Mack Tuna. Some time into the dive, 2 small Black Marlin were also encountered. Yesterday John took some divers back to the Big Island and they got some smallish Spanish, again the Yellowfin and Mack Tuna were around. On one of the shallower reefs, Mantas were found and following them a school of big Cobia. A Cobia of 22.5kg was landed from the school, the diver in question spearing it 3 times before managing to subdue it.
This weekend is the March club competition coinciding with the club annual trip. We are going about 2 hours N to Wooli. All things point to a good weekend of diving. So lots of Sushi and fresh fish for supper this weekend.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
26 February 2009
Went for a quick dive yesterday. The S has brought in warm water but the sea still looks dirty. We decided to go out wide. Left at Sparrow's fart or half past stupid as a friend describes the crack of dawn. Headed out to the wave-recorder. Recently there has been some clean warm water out near the continental shelf and we were hoping for some of that. Some divers have managed the odd Dorado, one even jumping in just outside the harbour to check out conditions, finding a school of huge Cobia. He did not have a gun but one was quickly provided and a good Cobia shot. The rest of the day they scratched.
We jumped in but the water at the surface was dirty, down to about 3 metres. Not cold but not warm like we expected. I took a dive through the muck and found clean blue water below that felt considerably warmer. The fish were hanging in this warmer water. My nerve was shot because I kept expecting to see something big with lots of teeth come up to me. The conditions were just not to my liking. A White took a chunk out of a surfboard about 40km S of Coffs 2 days ago and that picture is still fresh in my mind. We looked at some fish traps in the area but only small Dorado were seen. A fresh NW was starting up making the boating unpleasant so we decided to head back for an early breakfast and try some deer-hunting with bows instead.
This Sunday is the next club competition and I really hope the situation improves. Although in shallower water, one is really not too fussed over being able to see from the surface unless you are trying to orientate yourself on the reef. It would be great to have some decent viz for a change.
We jumped in but the water at the surface was dirty, down to about 3 metres. Not cold but not warm like we expected. I took a dive through the muck and found clean blue water below that felt considerably warmer. The fish were hanging in this warmer water. My nerve was shot because I kept expecting to see something big with lots of teeth come up to me. The conditions were just not to my liking. A White took a chunk out of a surfboard about 40km S of Coffs 2 days ago and that picture is still fresh in my mind. We looked at some fish traps in the area but only small Dorado were seen. A fresh NW was starting up making the boating unpleasant so we decided to head back for an early breakfast and try some deer-hunting with bows instead.
This Sunday is the next club competition and I really hope the situation improves. Although in shallower water, one is really not too fussed over being able to see from the surface unless you are trying to orientate yourself on the reef. It would be great to have some decent viz for a change.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
19 February 2009
What a strange set of circumstances. The worst natural disaster in Australian history befell Victoria with the state ravaged by bush-fires. At the same time a series of tropical storms brought masses of rain into Queensland, resulting in many small towns becoming isolated because of flooding.
Recently Coffs Harbour has been exposed to massive Southerlies, great for flushing out the left-over cold dirty winter water but with the S came a torrential downpour. In one 24hr period 0.25m of water was recorded. When people start expressing rainfall in metres things are serious. Some of the areas around Coffs have been declared disaster areas too. What of the ocean. The rivers have pumped tons of silt-laden water into the sea but on a more positive note, it appears that the warm EAC water may be here. Just a question of being patient and allowing the sea to clear.
Recently Coffs Harbour has been exposed to massive Southerlies, great for flushing out the left-over cold dirty winter water but with the S came a torrential downpour. In one 24hr period 0.25m of water was recorded. When people start expressing rainfall in metres things are serious. Some of the areas around Coffs have been declared disaster areas too. What of the ocean. The rivers have pumped tons of silt-laden water into the sea but on a more positive note, it appears that the warm EAC water may be here. Just a question of being patient and allowing the sea to clear.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
13 February 2009
One might be inclined to think unlucky Friday 13th but in the previous 2 days I have heard of 3 separate shark attacks. A Navy diver was attacked in Sydney Harbour in the early morning. In typical Navy diver fashion he climbed into the shark punching and fighting it off. The following day a surfer N of us was attacked on his board. The shark missed him but left an impressive bite mark in his board. Yesterday evening, a surfer lost his arm to a shark at Bondi. These are all believed to be Bull Shark encounters. The general consensus amongst divers is that the level of aggression in sharks appears to be elevated. This is more than likely the result of breeding, increased numbers of prey species and increased water temperatures.
The S has been consistant for the previous 3 days and is predicted to continue for another 3 days at least, which means the warm water should be on the beach by Wednesday next week. While this is welcome it is sensible to exercise some caution as sharks are likely to be far more inquisitive and unpredictable.
The S has been consistant for the previous 3 days and is predicted to continue for another 3 days at least, which means the warm water should be on the beach by Wednesday next week. While this is welcome it is sensible to exercise some caution as sharks are likely to be far more inquisitive and unpredictable.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
12 February 2009
The EAC has been running strongly out deep but it is diverted from Byron Bay, some km's N of us and only swings into the coast near SW Rocks, S of us. When looking at the sea surface temperatures and currents it remains obvious that some cold unpleasant winter water has been trapped off the Coffs Coast and will not be replaced until a strong S weather system forces fresh water in. The cold winter water is nutrient rich and mixed with the warmer water resulted in a tremendous algal bloom. This cut viz right down and since the conditions have been settled, the thermocline is back.
I managed to get in on Friday just before the weekend rush. We dived hard and travelled a massive distance but had little to show for it. A small Dorado, Yellowtail Kingfish and a small unlucky Spanish were the only fish of note. There were no sharks around and I am confident that if there are no sharks, there are no fish. When we got back to Coffs Harbour, the tide was low and the recent swell had deposited a large quantity of sand at the approach to the small craft ramp. Made for an interesting approach on the back of a wave just to have enough water under the boat. Apparently later that day and on Saturday, several boats were unable to get in until high tide. The dredge has been roped in to open the approach.
Sunday, we had some time to get out and do some diving. On Saturday, several Mantas had been seen with a huge entourage of large Cobia. We were after some Cobia and took a good look at Chopper and NW Solitary Island. Unfortunately there was nothing worthwhile and the conditions were foul. An early halt to proceedings ensued with an early breakfast in the offing.
At the moment a strong S system is active off our coast and this should eventually herald the start of some great conditions.
I managed to get in on Friday just before the weekend rush. We dived hard and travelled a massive distance but had little to show for it. A small Dorado, Yellowtail Kingfish and a small unlucky Spanish were the only fish of note. There were no sharks around and I am confident that if there are no sharks, there are no fish. When we got back to Coffs Harbour, the tide was low and the recent swell had deposited a large quantity of sand at the approach to the small craft ramp. Made for an interesting approach on the back of a wave just to have enough water under the boat. Apparently later that day and on Saturday, several boats were unable to get in until high tide. The dredge has been roped in to open the approach.
Sunday, we had some time to get out and do some diving. On Saturday, several Mantas had been seen with a huge entourage of large Cobia. We were after some Cobia and took a good look at Chopper and NW Solitary Island. Unfortunately there was nothing worthwhile and the conditions were foul. An early halt to proceedings ensued with an early breakfast in the offing.
At the moment a strong S system is active off our coast and this should eventually herald the start of some great conditions.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
2 February 2009
Yesterday saw the commencement of the first club competition for the year following on the cancellation last weekend. We launched from Arrawarra N of Woolgoolga. This gave us access to the N Islands, pinnacles and reefs. We headed out to the Big Island (North Solitary) and from there to the Wooli FAD. The sea was literally full of Dorado, hundreds and hundreds of them but nothing worth having a go at. Even the Yellowtail directly under the FAD were too small to warrant taking anything. Michael and I ended up with a Rainbow Runner each, for our efforts. The rules for the club comp is that you may only weigh 2 of each species for the year. The score for the species being higher than the weight but the weight is also ranked according to the expected maximum weight of the species for this area based on previous club records.
We moved to the pinnacles N of the Big Island but only managed some Fusiliers. The drift from the E of NW Rocks towards the Big Island produced 2 Goldspot Wrasse for me and a small Spanish for Michael. We continued scratching at various reefs, caves and supposed hotspots and Michael managed to rustle up some meagre reward in the form of a Goatfish and some Frigate Tuna, while I managed a small Yellowtail. In the end only Michael, Asher and myself weighed fish. Part of the challenge is knowing what to weigh and when. Last year half of the club competitions were cancelled because of poor conditions. This means you could realistically be shooting great quality fish but when it comes to a competition you may be scratching around for points through no fault of your own.
I took my first Samsonfish and it really is a handsome looking fish. Perhaps a little darker than Amberjack with a forehead reminiscent of a Giant Trevally. The smaller ones, which mine was, flash a dark barred pattern similar to a Bludger. Other fish weighed included Silver Trevally and Blue Morwong, for all intents and purposes think along the lines of a small Cape Bankie. There were none of the fish of legendary size like 30kg yellowtail, 20kg mackerel or 30kg+ Wahoo, never mind the big Dorado which have been seen and taken recently.
We moved to the pinnacles N of the Big Island but only managed some Fusiliers. The drift from the E of NW Rocks towards the Big Island produced 2 Goldspot Wrasse for me and a small Spanish for Michael. We continued scratching at various reefs, caves and supposed hotspots and Michael managed to rustle up some meagre reward in the form of a Goatfish and some Frigate Tuna, while I managed a small Yellowtail. In the end only Michael, Asher and myself weighed fish. Part of the challenge is knowing what to weigh and when. Last year half of the club competitions were cancelled because of poor conditions. This means you could realistically be shooting great quality fish but when it comes to a competition you may be scratching around for points through no fault of your own.
I took my first Samsonfish and it really is a handsome looking fish. Perhaps a little darker than Amberjack with a forehead reminiscent of a Giant Trevally. The smaller ones, which mine was, flash a dark barred pattern similar to a Bludger. Other fish weighed included Silver Trevally and Blue Morwong, for all intents and purposes think along the lines of a small Cape Bankie. There were none of the fish of legendary size like 30kg yellowtail, 20kg mackerel or 30kg+ Wahoo, never mind the big Dorado which have been seen and taken recently.
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