Turkey Dive

With turkey in our bellies and pumpkin pie running through our veins, no fish were safe. Freedive Hunters were three: Darren, Jordan, and Tom. We tried a new spot today at Crystal Cove. The viz was spotty at best, til we reached the kelp beds, then it opened up to a hazy 10 ft. Mr. Calico murdered an unlucky juvenile calico, and we took 3 bugs home with us for a yummy post-Thanksgiving supper. The dive spot has potential with better viz. We'll definitely try our luck there again soon.

-TJ

Local Dive

It was an early lobster dive for two of the Freedive Hunters this morning. The viz was a cloudy 8-10 ft. Though there were signs of lobster life, Darren and Tom left empty handed. There were lots of shorts and a few of legal size, but they were just too hard to get. Tom located a couple scallops and was able to out muscle one from its kung fu grip. Overall, it was a pretty uneventful dive. Lobster season is in full swing, so we're hoping to get in on the action in the coming weeks.

Darren catches a monster on opening night 10/28/07.
-TJ

Poop Rock & WOP Garden

There were talks of strong Santa Ana winds this weekend, but Captain Frederic called nature's bluff and we dove Catalina anyway. First stop, Poop Rock- named for its famous brown trout. Bottom dive from the boat was about 55 feet, which Jordan and Fred experienced firsthand chasing after dropped slings. Schools of Bonito were circling constantly, but their cautious behavior made for challenging spearing. The yellow tail were running too, but these one-footers didn't merit our best efforts; we hoped for the arrival of their bigger brothers & sisters to no avail. After much frustration and missed opportunities, Tom speared three bonito. Jordan assassinated two calico; this was only the beginning -he later wiped out an entire school at WOP Garden - they don't call him "Mr. Calico" for nothing. After a bit of free diving, Darren grabbed his tank and headed for the rocks in search for lobster. His efforts yielded a beautiful bug. The viz at Poop Rock was decent, but a little cloudy.



There is no happiness compared to that which is experienced on the poop deck.

Look at these smiles!

Next stop -WOP Garden, aka Olive Garden - it is always a spectacle. There is so much wildlife. The excitement of the feeding frenzy of thousands of mackerel on sardine attracted the rest of the creatures - eels, lobster, octopus, calico, rock fish, whisker do's, whisker don'ts, etc. Jordan and Fred were able to hook a few mackerel as they were lured with the shiny end of their spears. Jason got the tank to explore the garden with ease. Darren and Tom headed to the beach in search for lobster. Tom was able to grab a bug, and Fred convinced a large Bonito it was time to meet the end of his spear. After Jordan demolished a couple hundred years worth of Calico, he snatched up a couple bugs and called it a day. This is one of the crew's favorite spots to dive.

The way home was a little bumpy from the wind. Darren drove the entire way home. Here is Captain Frederic manning his vessel.


The crew is happy and hungry.

The Fish Master!

-TJ