6/21 Ft. ross interesting first encounter

Newb to spearfishing.

Started diving for abs this year at ft. ross.  Recently got my first gun so went to find some fish.  Got in the water at about 1pm.
Visibility was poor with cloudy water.  Couldn't find any fish so played amongst the rocks and surge checking out the abs.  After awhile, started feeling queezy and decided to head back in. 
Stopped over the side of a reef in hopes of spotting some fish on the return.  The water seemed clearer surrounding and over the reefs, due to light reflection?  As I was scanning the reef top in hopes of spotting a Ling or Cab, a fishy figure appeared off to the side slowly coming in my direction.  Yes! a good sized fish.  Huh? Woah. Big fish. Time kinda froze for me as my mind went through different thoughts.  Sturgeon!  Pausing as we met, the fish then passed underneath me continuing his way to the ocean, and I just sat there dumbfounded doing some double takes.
Not too experienced in judging the underwater size thing, but estimate between 4-6 ft. with a decent sized girth.

Wish I could have taken some pics, but Kayak to come first.


Ed

fishemotion 
Welcome to the board.

As Frank said, Welcome.....and go buy that camera!!!........

Newb to spearfishing.

Started diving for abs this year at ft. ross.  Recently got my first gun so went to find some fish.  Got in the water at about 1pm.
Visibility was poor with cloudy water.  Couldn't find any fish so played amongst the rocks and surge checking out the abs.  After awhile, started feeling queezy and decided to head back in. 
Stopped over the side of a reef in hopes of spotting some fish on the return.  The water seemed clearer surrounding and over the reefs, due to light reflection?  As I was scanning the reef top in hopes of spotting a Ling or Cab, a fishy figure appeared off to the side slowly coming in my direction.  Yes! a good sized fish.  Huh? Woah. Big fish. Time kinda froze for me as my mind went through different thoughts.  Sturgeon!  Pausing as we met, the fish then passed underneath me continuing his way to the ocean, and I just sat there dumbfounded doing some double takes.
Not too experienced in judging the underwater size thing, but estimate between 4-6 ft. with a decent sized girth.

Wish I could have taken some pics, but Kayak to come first.


Ed

i could see why the excitement. this is the third case of sturgeon spotting on the north coast i have heard of. the other two were green sturgeon as far as the people had explained. apparently there is sturgeon in the ocean but not often does one see them. i would love to see one myself.

where abouts in the cove did you see it?

john

Now that's a reason to keep going back, eh?  Must have been a beautiful sight.  Seeing sturgeon in the tank at MBay Aq is cool - in the salt, i'd probably split my neoprene!

Wow, that's a rare sighting way up there!

Thanks for the welcome guys.  NCKA is awesome and I hope to see some of you out on the water sometime. 

John, the location was about the 1/3 of the way in, on a line between the wash rocks at the north point of the cove to the entry area at the bottom of the trail.

Was definitely a white sturgeon.  I've heard stories from a hardcore pacifica salt about sturgeon spotted off the san francisco/peninsula coast... something about concrete beds and freshwater leakage/runoff?  but never expected the possibility of actually encountering one myself.

I've been contemplating lately how to manage a camera in addition to all the other gear.  Need more appendages.


ed

Thanks for the welcome guys.  NCKA is awesome and I hope to see some of you out on the water sometime. 

John, the location was about the 1/3 of the way in, on a line between the wash rocks at the north point of the cove to the entry area at the bottom of the trail.

Was definitely a white sturgeon.  I've heard stories from a hardcore pacifica salt about sturgeon spotted off the san francisco/peninsula coast... something about concrete beds and freshwater leakage/runoff?  but never expected the possibility of actually encountering one myself.

I've been contemplating lately how to manage a camera in addition to all the other gear.  Need more appendages.


ed

what a treat to have seen one. i dive there a few times a year and love that place. it can be pretty clear during the fall and the fish are great. just north of there are nice spots for good sized ling cod as well when its calm. when my wife and i kayak fish out of the cove we head north about 3/4 mile and drop our lures down about 80-90 feet and catch a lot of nice reds and lings. that beach launch is so easy and its close to good fishing.

we also dive and fish ocean cove too just north of there.

its always the hike back up the hill when i start thinking about how much gear i have. i like the days when i go to monterey and just bring the basics and no float but a speargun and float line, so little gear: ) for abalone i haul a board with me and by the end of the day im pooped.

enjoy!

john