This has been a good week by all accounts. I was at a congress over the previous weekend and at every break my colleague, Michael and I stood looking at the ocean settling down to diveable conditions. By Saturday afternoon, we tentatively looked at an early morning start on Sunday 26 October.
Sunday morning well before sunrise we arrived at the wave buoy and waited for a little light before slipping into the water. It was warm but the viz not nearly as good as we would have thought. The ever-present school of Yellowtail Kings surrounded us but the Dorado continued to elude. We headed back to Bullocky but the viz became considerably worse and a powerful N-S current also contributed to a short stay. We left with nothing to show for our effort.
Weather predictions for the coming week did not fill me with much optimism as far as diving was concerned. I was wrong. Come Wednesday 29th things took a turn for the better. One of my diving buddies Kris had spent the morning fishing while I was at work. The viz was an astounding 20m+. I was off on Wednesday afternoon and ready to rock and roll. Kris's little rubber-duck was hitched and we were on our way. Michael called to say his brother, John, was keen to take his new fast boat out. We quickly joined that option and launched the new boat from Arrawarra, just north of Woolgoolga. We headed out to the Middle Grounds but the viz was putrid.
John's boat flies and he thought it worth looking at several spots. We checked the Wash before heading out to the Coffs Harbour FAD. Unfortunately the viz was poor at these spots. Kris was adamant the viz had been super in the morning. We finally decided to stop off N of the Light (South Solitary). We jumped in just outside of the sanctuary zone to be enveloped in baitfish. It wasn't long before I lost a chance when a really big fish swam past. I saw it disappear before making a positive ID but it was a pelagic.
We persevered and I saw a reasonable King near the bottom in 19m. It came right up to me in the murky water and paid the price for its curiosity. I soon had another bigger one approach me in mid-water. They were loaded in the esky and I was back in the water.
Kris and John seemed very engrossed in the area they were diving. I started swimming across to them when a small school of Kings came up to me. I ducked down and slowly slipped through them looking for a good fish. They all seemed pretty much the same size and I soon had another in the esky. This was followed by an Amberjack from a massive school that surrounded me. I attempted to get back to Kris and John and took another King. While I was stringing the fish, a huge school surrounded me. I looked around for a really good fish and some big bruisers down deep caught my attention.
I was holding a fish in my left hand as I dived and the school seemed very interested in it, staying in close to me. I selected a really big tackle-buster, lined-up and squeezed the trigger. The spear went over the top and I dropped the fish I had been holding. Kris and John had returned to the boat and the sun was on its way to the horizon. I had enough fish anyway and called it quits. On the way back to the boat, I was entertained by a fast moving school of Mack Tuna (Kawakawa) hammering the tiny Whitebait.
I chatted to some divers the following day and one of them actually said his equipment is too valuable to lose on a big Yellowtail, so he passes up on shooting them. They all commented on the abundance of baitfish which is looking really good.
Conditions have deteriorated again and I will be pool-bound for the time being, playing underwater hockey while we impatiently drum our fingers in anticipation of an improvement.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
20 October 2008
Busy weekend by all accounts. Saturday was the NSW State U/W hockey Champs. Coffs Harbour hosted the event and our team fared well considering this was our first attempt at a State Champs. Coffs were runners-up in the B-League being pipped at the post by Sydney B. Melbourne comfortably took the A League.
Most of the Coffs Harbour competitors play U/W hockey to keep in shape for spearfishing. So just as soon as the conditions allow there are going to be some super-primed spearos out there.
Sunday looked like a good day although buoyweather indicated a dramatic change in conditions by midday. Kris, Aidin and I headed out on Brett's Tupperware boat. First time on a plastic boat for me. Very stable craft with loads of floatation. Handled very predictably but the sea conditions had changed earlier than expected.
We had a pounding ride out to the wave buoy and found a large school of Yellowtail milling about. All small. The viz was good 20m and the water warm. Some dolphins arrived and in spite of the lack of any other fish we enjoyed their antics. I think the Yellowtail much less so. Their school was somewhat thinned by the dolphins' activity by the time we left.
The ride back was worse than the ride out. Decided to stop just outside of Pig Island at the mouth of Coffs Harbour to explore Bullocky. This is a highpoint which comes to approx 8m from the surrounding 22m. Yellowtail Kingfish, Wahoo and Snapper are often taken here. The conditions were atrocious. The viz was really poor, inside of 5m, the surface had thick masses of tiny jellyfish. Thought there might be clearer water below but found an even dirtier silt layer at about 12m. Some fish were seen but nothing worth shooting. Lots of Moses Perch, Bream, Sawtail Surgeon and Kris even saw some Finger-mark Bream. Red Morwong all over the place. Probably would have taken 5 different species in South Africa but the emphasis here is on quality not quantity so nothing for me on Sunday. Nice to get out and dive again.
On another tack, thought I would try my hand at some Gyotaku (Japanese Fish Printing). First attempt was not that bad and I am deciding on what my next subject should be. I remember my dad showing me an etching from a knight's tomb and the technique of Gyotaku does share some similarities.
Most of the Coffs Harbour competitors play U/W hockey to keep in shape for spearfishing. So just as soon as the conditions allow there are going to be some super-primed spearos out there.
Sunday looked like a good day although buoyweather indicated a dramatic change in conditions by midday. Kris, Aidin and I headed out on Brett's Tupperware boat. First time on a plastic boat for me. Very stable craft with loads of floatation. Handled very predictably but the sea conditions had changed earlier than expected.
We had a pounding ride out to the wave buoy and found a large school of Yellowtail milling about. All small. The viz was good 20m and the water warm. Some dolphins arrived and in spite of the lack of any other fish we enjoyed their antics. I think the Yellowtail much less so. Their school was somewhat thinned by the dolphins' activity by the time we left.
The ride back was worse than the ride out. Decided to stop just outside of Pig Island at the mouth of Coffs Harbour to explore Bullocky. This is a highpoint which comes to approx 8m from the surrounding 22m. Yellowtail Kingfish, Wahoo and Snapper are often taken here. The conditions were atrocious. The viz was really poor, inside of 5m, the surface had thick masses of tiny jellyfish. Thought there might be clearer water below but found an even dirtier silt layer at about 12m. Some fish were seen but nothing worth shooting. Lots of Moses Perch, Bream, Sawtail Surgeon and Kris even saw some Finger-mark Bream. Red Morwong all over the place. Probably would have taken 5 different species in South Africa but the emphasis here is on quality not quantity so nothing for me on Sunday. Nice to get out and dive again.
On another tack, thought I would try my hand at some Gyotaku (Japanese Fish Printing). First attempt was not that bad and I am deciding on what my next subject should be. I remember my dad showing me an etching from a knight's tomb and the technique of Gyotaku does share some similarities.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
13 October 2008
Eventually got the chance to dive in reasonable conditions. There was a small break in the weather yesterday and fortunately we had 3 hours to use to our best advantage. Michael took us to South Solitary Island and we pulled up on the NW side, to be greeted by showering baitfish and hundreds of predators on the feed. Thousands of birds filled the sky and lots of bait balls breaking the surface filled our ears with joy. It was obvious that different fish were involved. We could see the backs of small Tuna, probably Kawakawa (Mack Tuna) and Australian Salmon were also on the rampage.
The sky was overcast but the sea was almost mirror calm with little current flowing N-S. The sea was not warm or particularly clear. There were colder patches about where the viz was terrible. I went over the side but the activity had moved off. I had cleverly left my speargun at home again. Almost a habit. I saw some fish racing up to take some of the tiny sprats that were all around at the surface. Viz was maybe 8m in the really good areas. Kris came up from a dive and told me there was a Yellowtail below. I ducked down and glided into the gloom below. The thought of the recent Great White sighting off Boambee still a little troubling. In came a group of scads and some fusiliers. The inquisitive Sawtail Surgeons drifted around the periphery while I hung still just above the muck in about 15m of water.
I noticed the long shape of the fish coming from behind on my right side. I kept still, falling into the dirty water, before I made my way to intercept the Yellowtail's course. It turned to see what I was up to and I was able to put in a good shot through its left gill plate into the right. The spear and barb smashed the gills making it a short struggle to subdue the fish. It went approx 8/9kg. I thought a worthwhile reward for all the effort I have recently put in. One fish is all I can use at the moment so I decided to try some deeper diving and gliding.
Had a good preparation on the surface before starting the descent. For a while I glided down with my eyes closed, just enjoying the freedom of freediving. I opened my eyes to see a big head coming up at me. Took me a moment to realise it was a large Grey nurse giving me the once over but my bottom time was smashed and I headed back to the surface to try again. Another good prep and glided down. This time with open eyes making sure I was not going to be surprised again. I found a good spot on the reef and settled down in an effort to do a good breath-hold. There were lots of sea-urchins on my approach and I just wanted to check that the ones on my left were safely clear of me. I turned to see a set of massive gills next to my head. Suffice to say I shat myself. Headed back to the surface leaving the inquisitive Grey Nurse to her own devices.
The sky was overcast but the sea was almost mirror calm with little current flowing N-S. The sea was not warm or particularly clear. There were colder patches about where the viz was terrible. I went over the side but the activity had moved off. I had cleverly left my speargun at home again. Almost a habit. I saw some fish racing up to take some of the tiny sprats that were all around at the surface. Viz was maybe 8m in the really good areas. Kris came up from a dive and told me there was a Yellowtail below. I ducked down and glided into the gloom below. The thought of the recent Great White sighting off Boambee still a little troubling. In came a group of scads and some fusiliers. The inquisitive Sawtail Surgeons drifted around the periphery while I hung still just above the muck in about 15m of water.
I noticed the long shape of the fish coming from behind on my right side. I kept still, falling into the dirty water, before I made my way to intercept the Yellowtail's course. It turned to see what I was up to and I was able to put in a good shot through its left gill plate into the right. The spear and barb smashed the gills making it a short struggle to subdue the fish. It went approx 8/9kg. I thought a worthwhile reward for all the effort I have recently put in. One fish is all I can use at the moment so I decided to try some deeper diving and gliding.
Had a good preparation on the surface before starting the descent. For a while I glided down with my eyes closed, just enjoying the freedom of freediving. I opened my eyes to see a big head coming up at me. Took me a moment to realise it was a large Grey nurse giving me the once over but my bottom time was smashed and I headed back to the surface to try again. Another good prep and glided down. This time with open eyes making sure I was not going to be surprised again. I found a good spot on the reef and settled down in an effort to do a good breath-hold. There were lots of sea-urchins on my approach and I just wanted to check that the ones on my left were safely clear of me. I turned to see a set of massive gills next to my head. Suffice to say I shat myself. Headed back to the surface leaving the inquisitive Grey Nurse to her own devices.
Monday, October 6, 2008
7 October 2008
It could almost be described as ridiculous. There are fish about. I know this because I keep reading about the rock & surf guys and the boaters picking up fish. As far as the spearos go, it has been slim pickings. Heard via the grapevine that the local shrimp trawlers are not even going out because their nets pick up so much muck that it becomes too expensive to drag the nets. The sea still has that ugly black appearance that in my limited experience equals lots of effort with little reward. Not too bad working hard while the conditions are poor.
I have been training really hard with the U/W hockey though. Spend 4 days a week practicing in the local pool. The State Champs are to be held in Coffs the weekend after next. Should be good fun. Our team is very rough around the edges. The guys have superb breath-holding ability but the rules rarely apply and full contact often ensues. The city softies are in for a rude awakening. Thought I would include some pictures of the beach at Korora. I am told when conditions are good, there are Jewfish, crays and abalone to be found against the headland from which the picture was taken. On the edge of the reef, one could encounter kingfish and mackerel move through the channel between the deep blinder and the small rocky island.
I have been training really hard with the U/W hockey though. Spend 4 days a week practicing in the local pool. The State Champs are to be held in Coffs the weekend after next. Should be good fun. Our team is very rough around the edges. The guys have superb breath-holding ability but the rules rarely apply and full contact often ensues. The city softies are in for a rude awakening. Thought I would include some pictures of the beach at Korora. I am told when conditions are good, there are Jewfish, crays and abalone to be found against the headland from which the picture was taken. On the edge of the reef, one could encounter kingfish and mackerel move through the channel between the deep blinder and the small rocky island.
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