A day away from the hectic life of being a veterinarian to the hectic life of being a SPEARO. The Ocean has been spectacular for the passed few days. Buoyweather predicted light S winds and all the reports we had were of great diving conditions. Michael, John and I got together at Coffs Harbour launch ramp before the sun was anywhere near the horizon. The sun crept over the horizon as we approached the wave recording buoy. Fish were leaping to escape submerged predators which is always a good sign. It did not take long to kit up and jump in. John spotted the school of Dorado first and started looking for a good specimen. He picked up on it too late because my spear hit it squarely near the pectoral fin. First drift and a good fish in the esky already.
We had co-ords for some fish traps and we were soon on our way to these, John being convinced he was going to get something big. First stop yielded nothing, second stop nothing, then the rest of the co-ords proved useless, the traps having been moved. Moved on to the FAD. Michael picked up another good Dorado but John was having one of those days, dropping 2 nice fish. Just as expected, the fish became shy after the first few drifts. This can be especially frustrating when you can see an ocean full of Dorado but you cannot get near them.
The next move was to water with a bottom. We stopped in the bay at South Solitary Island looking for Spanish. There was a distinct fishy smell, something I have noticed when fish have been feeding heavily on oily bait. There were no Spanish but as I lay on the bottom, a school of large Tailor(Bluefish in the USA, Shad/Elf in SA) swam into range. True to form the fish seemed unaware of me on the bottom. I selected a good fish and whacked it through the head, from below. These fish are very difficult to shoot from above because they zoom through the water as if everything wants to eat them. Just another species which supports my idea that it is much easier to get to a fish from below than above.
We then moved into deeper water, looking for Sambos and Wahoo. We found lots of Crocodile Gar which can only mean the Wahoo are going to be around in numbers soon. Michael dropped a large Jewfish and then landed a nice Samsonfish. I lost a Sambo too but then found a big Yellowtail King. I was on my way to get a Jew when the King swam in under me. I lined up for a head shot but the spear went through the shoulder and missed the spine. The fish dragged me along at some speed and I think the struggling fish enticed a shark which started following me. This is all conjecture because the fish broke free and I suddenly came to a stop in the sea. That was when I felt a massive strike on my right fin. The shark must have come out of the water at that stage, I rolled to see the shark pass next to me and then down, not to be seen again. Everything happened so quickly I can only guess at the species but I think it was probably a Bronze Whaler. I headed back to the boat to check my fins, nothing, not a mark. I can only surmise the shark was coming up at me then realised after it had committed that I was not worth eating. I think the impact on the fin was the shark's unchecked approach after it had committed itself.
We moved again, to N of Groper Island. This is out of the extensive reserve around Groper and is a small highly prized spot. John picked up a Striped Tuna but it did little to appease his agony at not being able to land anything worthwhile. Michael soon loaded a Gold-spot Wrasse, then a Mangrove Jack. I was disappointed because I had just come away from the school of Bulls-eye hanging close together, apparently a prime indicator for Pearl Perch when Michael dropped in and smacked the Jack. I dropped down again intent on a Jack. The bait closed around me but I moved deeper. There was colour and movement, 2 Bluebar Parrots. I tracked the larger of the 2 and successfully took it. These fish are always skittish but amongst the bait they were very approachable.
A while later, I made a deep dive and spotted what looked like a Jack. As it came closer I noticed the black mark on its saddle. This was a species of snapper I had never encountered. I lay very still allowing its approach. I lined up well before the fish turned to offer a shot and the spear went through its gill plate coming out above the jaw on the other side. Identified as a Moses Perch and is good eating. Michael's gun started playing up and he was fretting on the boat. I shouted to him to get his back-up and get back in. He did just that, only to drop in on a school of Spanish and another into the esky.
Between the 3 of us the bag was 2 Dorado, Striped Tuna, Gold-spot Wrasse, Samsonfish, Mangrove Jack, Bluebar Parrot, Moses Perch, Tailor and a Spanish. Not a bad haul for what seemed a quiet day of spearfishing. The bag of fish looked quite amazing with the range of colours. John endured a great deal of ragging and I have no doubt when the tables are turned, I will be in for a fair share myself.
Michael kindly prepared a few different species last night, in beer-batter, and these tasty morsels were scoffed with some really good home-brewed beer. I wonder if I could be more content than I am right now.
Several points worth remembering were the presence of several good fish amongst the dense school of Bulls-eye, the enormous numbers of Garfish, always a good indicator of surface predators and try to get your big Dorado quickly because the longer you wait the less chance you are going to get. Lastly, we stopped off in a reserve area to practice some breath-holds. On descent there would be no fish, but as you lay on the bottom, the numbers stacked up around you. I noticed on a dive with a bottom time of 2.5 minutes that there were fish coming to see what was happening from a long way away, beyond the edge of viz. Obviously the diver is new and worth investigating and as the fish move into the area they produce low intensity vibrations which arouse the curiosity of others, the more fish hanging around, the more attention the diver will attract.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
27 January 2009
Sunday was to be the club comp day. A NE had been blowing moderately, turning the shallows into milky muck. Then a strong S was expected, dropping off to a light S by Sunday morning. Perfect conditions: warm, clear water, perhaps a little choppy on the surface but that always seems to turn the fish on. Arrived at the launch at Arrawarra with the trees straining in a hefty S. The sea was on its head. Comp postponed to next Sunday.
Disappointment was clear on everyones' faces. I was keen to give my new DiveR carbon fins a go. Took them to the pool instead this morning. There have been the odd good fish coming out. Late Sunday afternoon and Monday (Australia Day i.e beer & braai) had great promise. Several Dorado were taken off the buoys and fish traps in the area over the 2 days. I heard of a Mangrove Jack, Purple Cod and Gold-spotted Wrasse taken yesterday.
Conditions over the next few days are great. Light S, the sea is absolutely beautiful. It is clean and warm, reminiscent of that Mozambique water you hope for in Sodwana or off Aliwal. The viz is around 30m+. Offshore the fisherlmen have had a hard time with little to show for their effort. Tomorrow should be a perla day and I have a long diving session planned.
Club Competition has an interesting format. There is a very limited list of really good fish on the list and each diver may only weigh 2 of each species for the year. You need to be a consistant diver throughout the year to have a shot at being club champion.
Disappointment was clear on everyones' faces. I was keen to give my new DiveR carbon fins a go. Took them to the pool instead this morning. There have been the odd good fish coming out. Late Sunday afternoon and Monday (Australia Day i.e beer & braai) had great promise. Several Dorado were taken off the buoys and fish traps in the area over the 2 days. I heard of a Mangrove Jack, Purple Cod and Gold-spotted Wrasse taken yesterday.
Conditions over the next few days are great. Light S, the sea is absolutely beautiful. It is clean and warm, reminiscent of that Mozambique water you hope for in Sodwana or off Aliwal. The viz is around 30m+. Offshore the fisherlmen have had a hard time with little to show for their effort. Tomorrow should be a perla day and I have a long diving session planned.
Club Competition has an interesting format. There is a very limited list of really good fish on the list and each diver may only weigh 2 of each species for the year. You need to be a consistant diver throughout the year to have a shot at being club champion.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
22 January 2009
The ocean appears to be settling down very nicely and has looked extremely inviting over the last week or so. I was fortunate enough to get out for a quick dive on Sunday. Conditions were still unsettled after the S blow but the sea was warm, with reasonable viz. There was a considerable current pushing S-N which had us starting just S of NW Solitary Island. The area was very fishy, lots of bait and indicators hanging around. On the first dive I saw a large school of good Yellowtail but they were reluctant to allow any approach. Headed upcurrent to prepare for another drift when a good 'Tail swam under me. It was an easy dive but the fish seemed quite flighty. I stopped to allow it to settle and started flicking my fingers at it. A small school of Yellowtail came in for a look, I selected a good fish and shot, hoping for an immediate kill. It was a good shot but slightly further back than I would have hoped. The fish bolted N dragging me along.
Getting the fish under control took considerable effort but once it was on its back I was able to dispatch it easily. I reloaded my gun and popped up for a look at where the boat was. It was a good 1.5km away. What ensued was a 1/2 hr swim back to the boat to load the 'Tail. All the divers got fish with Michael taking a nice 16kg specimen. Justin had a school of Cobia swim up to look at the second Yellowtail he shot, unfortunately the rest of us weren't close enough to get in on the Cobia action. Saw a few small Spanish but they were very shy. Some Bonnies came through, Sarda sp, and Michael took one, which made excellent sushi. Michael prepared some of the 'Tail yesterday by marinading it in Green Thai Curry and lime then onto the barbecue with a basting of coconut milk, mint and coriander. The fish was served in a wrap with Basil and tomato...spectacular.
Passed John on Sunday, he was on his way out to N Solitary. They got some good Mangrove Jacks in very deep water which bodes well for the future. There is still stacks of bait around and there are reports of fishermen getting some Spotted Mackerel (very similar to Natal Snoek) just S of us. Got my new rigid DiveR blades which I am very keen to fit to my fins. Sincerely hope that the effort required to do the deep dives will be markedly reduced.
Sunday is the club competition and I have decided to be more active in participating this year, now that I am settled in. I also want to get a better look at some of the spots before the Bluewater Classic at the end of March.
Getting the fish under control took considerable effort but once it was on its back I was able to dispatch it easily. I reloaded my gun and popped up for a look at where the boat was. It was a good 1.5km away. What ensued was a 1/2 hr swim back to the boat to load the 'Tail. All the divers got fish with Michael taking a nice 16kg specimen. Justin had a school of Cobia swim up to look at the second Yellowtail he shot, unfortunately the rest of us weren't close enough to get in on the Cobia action. Saw a few small Spanish but they were very shy. Some Bonnies came through, Sarda sp, and Michael took one, which made excellent sushi. Michael prepared some of the 'Tail yesterday by marinading it in Green Thai Curry and lime then onto the barbecue with a basting of coconut milk, mint and coriander. The fish was served in a wrap with Basil and tomato...spectacular.
Passed John on Sunday, he was on his way out to N Solitary. They got some good Mangrove Jacks in very deep water which bodes well for the future. There is still stacks of bait around and there are reports of fishermen getting some Spotted Mackerel (very similar to Natal Snoek) just S of us. Got my new rigid DiveR blades which I am very keen to fit to my fins. Sincerely hope that the effort required to do the deep dives will be markedly reduced.
Sunday is the club competition and I have decided to be more active in participating this year, now that I am settled in. I also want to get a better look at some of the spots before the Bluewater Classic at the end of March.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
15 January 2009
My lack of diving continues unabated. I am almost depressed by the prospects of working while the spectacle of a calm ocean haunts my dreams. A strong S did push in over the weekend but it blew itself out way too quickly. Predictions are for another extended S blow this weekend.
It appears that sharks are thick all around Australia. A youngster was investigated twice by a 5m White off Tasmania and fortunately her cousin came to her aid and it is very likely his brave action saved her life. In my neck of the woods there have been 2 incidents involving Bull Sharks attacking surfers in shallow water. Some friends were diving recently when a Grey Nurse came up to the surface and investigated the one diver's flashers before turning and making some threatening moves at the diver on the surface, this in approx 20m water!
From a fish point of view, the diving has been hard but the glory goes to those who persevere. I heard of several Cobia, Wahoo and Amberjack being landed. Interestingly the Amberjack and Cobia appear to have come from particularly deep dives 30m+. One Wahoo was shot at by a diver on the surface when he estimated the fish to be 4kg. The fish was taken by a dive buddy and turned out to be over 10kg. Clean blue water can play havoc on your ability to judge fish size. When you believe you are close enough GET CLOSER.
It appears that sharks are thick all around Australia. A youngster was investigated twice by a 5m White off Tasmania and fortunately her cousin came to her aid and it is very likely his brave action saved her life. In my neck of the woods there have been 2 incidents involving Bull Sharks attacking surfers in shallow water. Some friends were diving recently when a Grey Nurse came up to the surface and investigated the one diver's flashers before turning and making some threatening moves at the diver on the surface, this in approx 20m water!
From a fish point of view, the diving has been hard but the glory goes to those who persevere. I heard of several Cobia, Wahoo and Amberjack being landed. Interestingly the Amberjack and Cobia appear to have come from particularly deep dives 30m+. One Wahoo was shot at by a diver on the surface when he estimated the fish to be 4kg. The fish was taken by a dive buddy and turned out to be over 10kg. Clean blue water can play havoc on your ability to judge fish size. When you believe you are close enough GET CLOSER.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
2 January 2009
My diving has been shelved over the last few weeks. When the Ocean looked good, I was at work and when I was available, the conditions turned to crap. The first half of the month was quite good but the second half has been really shoddy. Now that the excuses are out of the way, there have been some fish landed.
In the last week there have been some Dorado taken, as well as a Jewfish. My grapevine informs me that several Marlin have been seen around North Solitary Island (Big Island). I even heard of a Wahoo that was dropped at the FAD off Coffs. The guys also saw a Mako jumping around at the FAD, no surprise that the Dorado were so flighty then! The reason for the poor results has been the light NE which has kept a cold, dirty thermocline at the 15-20m level.
All predictions are for a hefty S blow over the next week which should finally push the good water in against the shore. It would be great to have some consistent conditions to dive in again. I am looking forward to a great year of diving. I hope to bump into one of the big Spanish around Pig Island this year. Last year a fish of over 40kg was taken on rod-and-line.
In the last week there have been some Dorado taken, as well as a Jewfish. My grapevine informs me that several Marlin have been seen around North Solitary Island (Big Island). I even heard of a Wahoo that was dropped at the FAD off Coffs. The guys also saw a Mako jumping around at the FAD, no surprise that the Dorado were so flighty then! The reason for the poor results has been the light NE which has kept a cold, dirty thermocline at the 15-20m level.
All predictions are for a hefty S blow over the next week which should finally push the good water in against the shore. It would be great to have some consistent conditions to dive in again. I am looking forward to a great year of diving. I hope to bump into one of the big Spanish around Pig Island this year. Last year a fish of over 40kg was taken on rod-and-line.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)