Fort Bragg Thurs...advice

Hey guys!

Looking to go diving, from the shore, in Fort Bragg area this Thurs.  Have the day off and chores are caught up for the moment.  Looks like the weather might be kicking up.  Is there anywhere anyone can recommend that'll be protected some?  I always hear Van Damme is a good place when its rough.  I've only dove there once for abs. But, I'm really really looking for a chance at my first Ling.  Any advice would be awesome

Thanks, Jeremy

It's going to be rough most places in ft Bragg with reported winds upward of 35 mph. Waves may be mixed swell direction which will add to the mess.  The south area of Van Damme is usually good as long as there is no south swell also.  Better for RF, Cabs, perch, greenling, leopard sharks and some occasional Lings in holes.  The middle straight out and in depth to the north you can get lings sitting in the open but if conditions are like they report you will be miserable trying and may get forced into rocks.

Visibility has diminished in ft Bragg over the past few days.  Not sure if it will get worse or better by Thursday.  But with washing machine water I would guess that Van Damme may be cloudy near the beach so plan on going further out if you come out and it looks good enough to try. 

Thank you for your help!  Seems like it might be best to wait. Which gives me gas but what can you do?!

It's really hard to tell.  I took the dog for a walk this morning and there was no wind and water looked clear.  This afternoon crazy wind showed up.  Even on bad days there are sometimes small windows of diveable water.  It's just hard to drive long distances to find out it's bad.  But sometimes getting away pays off. 

Have to ask,  did I blow it by not going today or was it rough as predicted?

Have to ask,  did I blow it by not going today or was it rough as predicted?

I am sure it was horrible.  The wind is still blowing good.  Hope that makes you feel better.

Always next time.

Lol,  yeah I'll take it. Thanks again for the help!

It's shore diveable even with the swell predicted for tomorrow. But with the wind chop too, you're probably going to have crap vis- pretty tough hunting. Unless you kick way out, but if it was me I'd wait for conditions to improve. Good luck, dive safe!

Thanks, brother!  Yeah,  my next days off are thurs, Fri so I'll keep my fingers crossed until then.  Anxious to get out a time or two this year