Captain Delivers

25# Yellowtail. Frederic proves to be the real thing... yet again.

Dad's gone, let's party

Overnight to Catalina. We arrived to the east end just in time for a late evening dive, before the sun set. We dove hard - the pressure was on to find something to bbq for dinner. We were unsuccessful.



On the way to Avalon Harbor, we were approached by Fish and Game in a speedy boat; they were eager to climb aboard and inspect. The opali sitting motionless on the poop deck was of no concern. They checked our licensed, inspected our cubby holes, and then left us in peace.



We decided to get a morring in the harbor. When we secured our station, a crew member, who will remain nameless, set out on a mission: get the crew to land in time to watch a movie in the theater.

We were desparate for a night on the town - Avalon style - later, we'd realize that our expectations were set too high. The plan was sound, the plan was solid: just swim over, untie the small boat, paddle it back, pick up the crew, go back and dock the boat, and walk peacefully onto the lush streets of Avalon. Sounds easy enough. Our brave crew member set out...

It's hard to see above, but the boat was in reach and the plan was coming to fruition... that is until those pesky teenagers that worked for the private yacht club caught us. They argued, cursed, and mocked us, until the harbor patrolman was called. We explained our innocence, and we had just escaped a night in jail.

Desparate still to walk the streets and get a feel of land under our feet again, we called for a shuttle.

Jason looks refreshed after a tasty order of nachos.

After a disappointing showing in the town, we decided we'd be better off with grilled hot dogs and hot chili - Jordan's specialty.

Eric is enjoying the last of his fountain drink.

Probably my best night sleep on the boat to date... First thing next morning, we headed to San Clemente island. There was a brief sighting of small sized Yellowtail, but only Calico were eager enough to stick around.

The anchor was about 60 feet down and wrapped tight around an object.

Jordan set out to rescue us once again. It takes shere concentration and will power to dive that deep and wrestle with the line and anchor. With several deep breaths, he primed his lungs and plunged into the depths.

We made our way back to Catalina to gas up and fish. With one shot, Jason nailed two baracuda. Jordan and Tom delivered Calico.

Look at the size of that fish! New world record?

Jordan rescued the crew from absolute disaster. Jason and Tom held Jordan's legs as he disassebled the propeller and installed a replacement.

We were out in the middle of the ocean with our fate hanging tough in the hands of Jordan.

Operation was a success. We landed safely into Hunting Harbor. Jordan was the MVP of the trip.

calico again

The stakes are always high when these guys head to the sea. However, this trip was pretty uneventful. We did round up our usual suspects - a handful of Calico. Do White Sea Bass exist?

Jordan secretly plots to overthrow the captain... but does he have what it takes to provide the demanding crew soft boiled eggs, boiled yams, brie and baguettes, and the ever-famous busy, protein pancakes? I don't think so.

ewww!

Santa brought the Fishmaster a brand new fish bag - big enough to transport several Calico, YT, WSB, Lobster, Bonito, Dodo, etc. all together, all the while saving enough space on the poop deck for the seamen to wrestle around. A happy and very cold crew - so cold a couple of the FDH stayed out of the water.

College boy Link was the first to get in the water. He was anxious to swim and was playing in the kelp beds by himself for a while before he spotted a nice sized white sea bass. He approached the sleeping beauty, but wasn't able to get a shot off before the ghost was spooked.

We had to cuddle closely to keep warm on the poop deck; it's ok, as long as there is absolutely no eye contact made.

A couple of browns came to investigate our activities... we tried to feed the wild animals, but they apparently don't like Hawaiian bread rolls - so picky.

The discussion on board was thick, but we've promised that whatever happens on the poop deck, stays on the poop deck. We left empty handed, but we found some spots we'll enjoy venturing in the near future.

quick and dirty

The crew was thin Saturday with Fred, Jordan, and Tom. We decided to get out early, dive hard, and come back at a decent hour. South East Catalina offered reasonable visibility and a fair shot at Bonito, Sheephead, Calico, and Lobster. The water was cool, but just the week before Captain spotted a few YT, so there was still hope. Jordan had achy breaky head, so diving was ill-advised. He chose to support the crew and come along anyways.

Tom was excited to try out his new Rob Allen. His first six seconds under water, he comes up with a beauty.

Fred made quick work of a good-sized sheephead. We then trekked off to the quarry in search for lobster. No luck. We wrapped up the day with a hard dive at a secret location reserved for FDH alone. Three calico and two lobster later we headed home.

The drive home was interesting. The entire sky was filled with smoke due to the wild fires out of Brea and Yorba Linda. What an unimaginable sight! We are thankful no harm came upon our family or friends in the area.

bugs - opening night

Three Freedive Hunters carried out tradition as we made it out at 12am opening day of lobster season - Tanner, Darren, and Tom. The conditions were fair+, and there were plenty of young, curious lobster creeping out from their holes. We all had several catches, but only the legal-sized made it in our bags.



The surge was strong, and we often found ourselves getting banged up against the rocks. It was a fun outing with sightings of Sculpin, horn sharks, sting rays, etc. The water is getting colder, but the lobster are out - let's go get 'em!

missing legs and will, our lobster made it home in the wee hours of morning.Size comparison...

- TJ

angle of the dangle

We had a bit of a rough start getting out... prop problems, but nothing our fearless Captain couldn't handle. Captain Frederic and First Mate Jordan.
We all dove long and hard at the Quarry, but no signs of YT. A few Calico met their maker, and Tom and Jordan got an early start on lobster hunting by scoping out the good spots. Jason S. brought all the weenies and condiments for a good grillin'. Fred worked up a nice fish/chicken noodle soup. A warm meal on the boat is always appreciated.

Captain Fred and Deck Hand Tom grilling some dogs under the warm sun.

Jordy enjoys his relish.
BBQ master, Jason Sneddon.

Young punk kids and their midday sleeping habits... This nap was much needed. We tried to get in all the rest we could for our evening dive. a nice day to dive... woulda been nice to actually get some game fish flopping around on the poop deck. We came home with Calico and Bonito. recording our miles, spending, and fish caught... our Captain does it all, he can even spear two Bonito with one shot! Yes, he did!

-TJ

local diver missing

Friday, September 12, 2008
Searchers still looking for free diver missing off Laguna Beach
Man who was spearfishing has been missing since Thursday evening.
By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ and KELLI HART
The Orange County Register


LAGUNA BEACH – Several agencies are continuing to search offshore waters this morning, looking for a free diver who went missing Thursday evening while spearfishing, authorities said.

Using fire boats, helicopters and a snorkel and dive team, officials began searching for the man at 6:20 p.m. Thursday, when he was first reported missing, said Ensign Stephanie Young, public affairs officer for the U.S. Coast Guard.

At 10:30 a.m. today, two boats, a helicopter and three divers were visible near the coast near Wesley Drive.

The man, who has not been identified by authorities, was spearfishing with three other men near Aliso Creek, Young said. The Laguna Beach Police Department contacted the Coast Guard, which launched a helicopter from its Los Angeles station and a 41-foot patrol boat from Long Beach.

Snorkel and dive teams from the Laguna Beach Lifeguards have also been sent out to sea to search for the man.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is assisting in the search as well, sending a fire boat to try to find the man, said Lt. Ted Boyne of the Sheriff's Department.

Officials searched until 1 a.m. this morning, and began the search again at sunrise, Young said.

At 8:10 a.m., the Coast Guard suspended its search after "exhausting all of their models," she said.

Coast Guard officials take into account time, conditions and other factors to determine the survivability of the victim, she said. Search teams have not found signs of the missing man since the search began and the Coast Guard suspended its efforts.

If new information is found, the Coast Guard will resume searching.

As of 9:45 a.m., officials with the Laguna Beach Police, Laguna Beach Lifeguards and the Sheriff's Department were still searching the water.

More information to come.

Contact the writer: shernandez@ocregister.com or 949-454-7361

wet dream

It was April the 41st, being a quadruple leap year. I was driving in downtown Atlantis, my Barracuda was in the shop, so I was in a rented Stingray, and it was overheating.
So I pulled into a Shell station - they said I'd blown a seal. I said, "Fix the damn thing and leave my private life out of it, okay pal?"

While they were doing that I walked over to a place called the oyster bar -- a real dive, but I knew the owner, he used to play for the Dolphins. I said, "Hi, Gil!!!" You hafta yell, he's hard of herring.

Gil was also down on his luck. Fact is, he was barely keeping his head below water. I gullied up to the sandbar, he poured the usual - Rusty Snail, hold the grunion, shaken, not stirred. With a peanut butter and jellyfish sandwich on the side -- heavy on the mako. I slipped him a fin -- on porpoise. I was feeling good, I even dropped a sand dollar in the box for Jerry's Squids -- for the halibut.

Well, the place was crowded. We were packed in like sardines. They were all there to listen to the big band sounds of Tommy Dorsal --what sole. Tommy was rockin' the place with a very popular tuna -- "Salmon Chanted Evening." And the stage was surrounded by screaming groupers - probably there to see the bass player. One of them was this cute little yellowtail. And she's giving ME the eye, so I figure, this is my chance for a little fun - you know -- a piece of Pisces. But she said things I just couldn't fathom. She was too deep, and seemed to be under a lot of pressure.

Boy, could she drink. She drank like a... she drank A LOT... I said, "What's your sign?" She said, "Aquarium" I said, "GREAT!!! Let's get tanked!" I invited her up to my place for a little midnight bait. I said, "C'mon baby, it'll only take a few minnows." She threw me that same old line, "Not tonight -- I got a haddock." And she wasn't kiddin' either, 'cuz in came the biggest, meanest looking haddock I'd ever seen come down the pike. He was covered with mussels. He came over to me, he said, "Listen shrimp -- don't you come trolling around here."

What a crab! This guy was steamed -- I could see the anchor in his eyes. I turned to him, I said, "Abalone -- You're just being shellfish." Well, I knew it was going to be trouble, and so did Gil, 'cuz he was already on the phone to the cods. The haddock hits me with a sucker punch. I catch him with a left hook, he eels over- it was a fluke, but there he was, lying on the deck, flat as a mackerel, kelpless. I said, "Forget the cods, Gil, this guy's gonna need a sturgeon."

Well, the yellowtail was impressed with the way I landed her boyfriend. She came over to me, she said, "Hey big boy, you're really a game fish. What's your name?" I said, "Marlin." Well from then on, we had a whale of a time. I took her to dinner, I took her to dance, I bought her a bouquet of flounders, and then I went home with her. And what did I get for my trouble? A case of the clams.

labor day catch

Shore diving - a nice, little pocket between Laguna Beach and Crystal Cove. Though the viz was poor and the surge high, I set out anyway. I was diving around 30 feet, skimming the sandy bottom for halibut and found no sign of life. I ventured over to the nearby rocks, and the viz opened up to about seven feet. I saw a school of about 20 Calico on the side of a big rock - a sight I've never seen before. I snuck around the back to see if I could pick off a big one, but they were all too little. I kept diving... finally, a large sand bass made its way toward me, and I sat still and waited for it to turn. It finally did ever so slightly, right in front of my gun, and I fired. I gave it dimples - in and out right behind its mouth and through the gills. He was mad!
As soon as I pulled up my catch under water, two seals came to investigate. I headed back in, saw a nice-sized leopard shark, and called it a day.
A delicious eight-pound bass. It ain't YT, but it fed my family the next two days, and it sure was tasty.

- TJ