PG/SWS Report 4/2/11

I found myself in Monterey for the weekend, and despite the large swells and choppy wind waves, I took advantage of the circumstances and dove, looking for an early season ling.

At about 9:30am, I arrived at one of my spots in PG. On the way to the spot I could tell that it would be a tough day. Even from highway 1 at Seaside, I immediately noticed the large waves breaking at PG in the distance. An uneasy feeling came over me, as I was unsure if it would be safe to dive or not. After observing the spot for a few minutes I  concluded that it would be divable, but possibly better conditions might be found elsewhere. I was wrong.

Then I went to SWS, where I ran into Chaeki. It was nice to meet you, Chaeki. We exchanged info, and then I left once again for Pacific Grove. Chaeki had dove already, but was disappointed with the condtions (3-4 ft vis and large sets coming through), so he had gotten out. A couple of his friends were still out when I left.

Back at PG, the swells had died down a little bit, as did the wind temporarily, so I decided to get in on a shoredive. I got a new gun this past week, so I was excited to try it out. A 75 cm Hammerhead with a hawaiian flopper. Since I don't have a float or tow line, I used a 35' length of polyethylene rope for the same purpose.

I swam about a 300-400 yards out, and after a few drops I knew that it would be a hole-searching day. Vis was a hazy 3-5 feet with some pretty strong surge. I dove 15-25 feet, but made a couple drops to 30.
Surprisingly on one of my  drops early on, a good-sized kelp rockfish darted out of it's hole to investigate me, and then returned to it's hole. I dropped the gun, breathed up, and then returned, stoning the fish. First gun, first shot, first kill.

Later, while hole-hunting for lings, I stumbled upon a really nice looking cave in about 20 feet of water. Facing away from the swell, deep enough for seals to be unable to reach, and narrow enough to comfortably house a big ling. I shined my falshlight deep into the hole, but to my disappointment, there was no ling inside. Instead there was a nice, red cabby. Once again I repeated the procedure, and nailed him in the eye.

After that I made a few drops down to 30 feet, but it was like diving in split-pea soup, and the topography was a few random boulders with sand. Not ling territory. The swell and wind then picked up, so I felt the urge to head in. My timing was good, as the waves were begining to pound the shore. I waited about 50 feet from shore until the big sets dissipated, and then sprinted to shore.

Later on I headed to SWS, and tried diving by Arrowhead, where the swells were relatively flat, but the vis was about
1 foot  and I couldn't even see my outstretched hand. I didn't stick around and headed straight in.

So no lings today. 

Since I'm staying in Monterey, I'm going to try again tomorrow. I'm hoping the swells die down a bit tomorrow so I can take my kayak out of PG or SWS and pay a visit to those lings that I've seen this winter.

Congrats on the fresh blood on the new gun buddy!!

Good luck tomorrow and hope you slay 'em!!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

nice job ricker.
first gun first shot first kill.  i love it.  that is the stuff that dreams are made of.  I bet you cant wait until summer time and then you can dive everyday.  what a savage beast.  Good luck today
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