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.