Abalone diving at horseshoe 9-14-08

Today was an awesome day at horseshoe.It was flat,flat,flat. We rolled up to the dive spot at 8:30 to overcast skies and calm steely water. The kelp was not too thick and we considered many possibilities from up top as to where to dive before we decided our route down. At horseshoe there are really two coves and we picked the point that separates the coves which is usually being pounded by the swell as it faces directly to the NW. After making  around 10 dives as we progressed to the point we were there in high anticipation of some large abalone. The only bummer about setting the bar too high sometimes is the dissappointment that can follow when expectations are not met. I dove fro over an hour looking for the big one and came up short. I pulled a nice 8 for the first and after awhile I pulled one that was a real nice 8.5. It was thick so in it went. I also spent alot of time looking for a decent fish to shoot but there were the small blues that usually hang on the points and a few small chinas hangin in tight in their little grottos. I just cant take those little guys anymore they are so damn cute and considering they take years to get to be 12in, it just doesn't seem right. Kicking back to the exit point I made a few dives to check things out and there is a nice 9 just sittin on top of a rock in 5ft of water 20 yards offshore. That filled out my limit. This place, Horseshoe will possibly be closed next year and it would just be a tremendous shame. This spot is a paradise. If we lose this us and future generations of divers and fishers of the sea will have lost on of the most diverse and interesting spots along the coastline of Sonoma County.Here are a few pics. The last ones for you fishunter.

unfortunately it is very much likely that we will loose horseshoe. 

J

unfortunatly...THAT IS GOING TO SUCK!...I may never get to hunt it proper.
thanks for the report and details!....and thanks for the FH shot!
NOWdon'tGOchangingNAMESnow!

Great report Craig.  Way to get out there.  Nice to see such calm water.  Wise choice hitting the point and your just confirming (once again) that I tend to swim or boat over the top of the bigger abs in shallow water.

How was the vis?  I forget what more than 5' if vis looks like.

I really liked the Fis hunter pose....

See ya on the water.

Oh I miss that spot. It is one of my favorite dives to do and always (when calm) full of niice abs. It will be a sad day when they close this spot. I will have to make it up there for one last dive this year.

Unless we get 2XA Horshoe IS lost.