04-19-11 Fisk Mill Cove -non yak

My dad and uncle planned to rock pick some abs, so I figured I'd join them even though Fisk Mill Cove isn't one of my top choices for diving anymore.  Had to wake up at the ungodly hour of 3am to make the early morning tide.  I remarked that they must be the most crazy desperate pair to want to go that early........I was wrong.

As we drove up the 1, cars littered the sides of the highway, headlights briefly illuminating wetsuit-cladded armies beginning their assault on the coastline.  We barely found parking on the side of the road, and several other cars squeezed in even after we arrived.  My dad and uncle suited up in the darkness, I told them I would catch up with them in an hour when there is more light.

Hopped into the water around 7:45 after realizing I forgot my goodie bag, and although there was quite a bit of surge, I was greeted with stellar 10-15 ft viz.  Since I didn't have anyone to dive with, I stayed within the cove.  I picked through the entire area,  nary a big abalone in sight, the area has just gotten too much pressure in recent years.  Shot 4 rockfish, 3 perch,1 greenling.  Unfortunately my board broke from its mooring so I had to swim a ways out to retrieve it, and one of the rockfish somehow got dislodged from my makeshift stringer.

I also participated in the ocean exchange program, losing my crab gauge yesterday, and found an abalone one today. Since we were up in the general area, I decided to stop by Geyserville, and pick up some 18" PVC tubes for clamming so I don't need to bum them off one of the brothers next time.



All in all, I can't complain about another good day on the water.  2 days in a row of early morning starts for ocean goodies, I am trashed!  Play time over, time to cook the bounty and then work off WAF points for the next outing! If you guys can get out there in the next few days, I bet the viz and swell will make for awesome diving conditions.


 

Stellar report... So they rock pick at Fisk?  Way cool.

If you are diving at Fisk Mil its best to be aware that you are not in the MLPA zone........7 miles north of the north side of Stump Beach begins the no take zone called Stewarts Point preserve. I am sure that there are people who dont even know about the closures there. Be safe and know where the lat lon #'s are in realation to taking fish or abalone. Hate to see someone get cited for the BS MLPA shit.

From what I hear is that if you stay south of the parking payment box, your in the safe.

Yep, we were diving south cove Fisk Mill to be exact.  For those that don't know, abalone and fish are ok to take, but nothing else ( too bad, because there were carpets of giant urchin today).  Just around the point there is another small cove, then the Stewart's Point MLPA area begins where everything is off limit.

I found a link to someone who created a google earth map of all of the MLPA areas:

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=91043

Where do you see that urchin is not Ok to take there? I have never heard of that ever in that spot right there.

Found it. Damn! That does suck. I used to harvest scallops,urchin,crab,and mussels there.

nice report.  cant wait to get up there and get some abs. + fish

Found it. Damn! That does suck. I used to harvest scallops,urchin,crab,and mussels there.

Yep, I just learned this myself as well.
Phew! Kelp and urchins were sure being over-harvested by us fisher-folk (insert sarcasm).