10 3/16th birthday abalone

Today I turned 55. WOW! I never thought I would make it this far. I took the day off and planned to go up to Horseshoe Cove and do an abalone dive. I drove all the way up there in thick fog and when I got there I just didn't feel right hiking down and diving alone. I couldn't even see the water from the road. I headed south thinking ,hmmm, where am I going to dive? I stopped at OC and got a cup of joe and before I knew it I was back at Jenner, still not having stopped to dive. By now I am heading to Bodega Bay so I stopped at Shell Beach and walked down to the water( still could not see the water from the road). I thought hey the viz ain't bad today for this place 5-6ft. Which is really good for Shell. I reparked and walked about 1 mile to my little spot that has been very good to me and saw a pretty nice ocean. Back to the truck get the backpack walk the mile again , down the cliff and in the water. I picked a nice little spot in about 10ft to start after 10 dives or so I pull a nine. I am thinking if I get a ten today I will just stop there and split. When I pulled the nine and it was in my hand I looked way back in and saw a bigger abalone but I lost my bearings and didn't worry about it too much. I saw a huge ab under another rock but this one did not cooperate at all. I tired to pull it off using my whole weight and it wouldn't budge. Those big abs when they clamp down sometimes  this happens. All of a sudden 2 or 3 dives later I am back where I pulled the nine and I can get a good look at the ab that was behind it. It's a monster. Worrying that it might fall down into a crack after being pried off I was ready to let go of the iron and grab the ab. Well its is my birthday . so the next swell comes through and funnels the force of water through the slot and pushes the ab right out into my waiting hand! Thats it I got a ten or real close, say a little prayer to who I think runs the show and out of the water I go. What a great day. Here are some pics. Craig. The tape shows about 10 1/8 but after setting it down on a hard surface abd measuring the line it came out to 10 3/16ths.

  Hey Craig.  happy Birthday.  I have wanted to try ab diving for some time.  It looks like a blast.  Congrats.  Ryan

 

Great call on Shell, perfect conditions for it.

Happy birthday!

You should out candles in those little holes in the top!

   nice one!!  Happy Birthday.  JTF

Happy birthday ravensblack. Congrats on the couple of hubcaps. Thanks for the
report and pictures.

Jedmo

Congrats on the Bday present, from my trip last week, and your trip this week, changing plans at the last minute seems to be working out well,,,,,

I've never gotten a 10, still hoping though,,,

Congrats again,

Dale L

Craig,

Old Dude, nice going!!

I got your message to go, but I'm chained to my station right now.  Man, I wanted to go.

I can relate about jumping in the water alone.  It gives me the willies. 

Those are nice helmets.

Thanks you guys!

Happy Birthday and at 55, you're in better shape than me. I'm getting winded just thinking about having to walk out with wet dive gear and with large ab. Congrats!!

Jack kwonsoo Kim

I have STILL never gotten a 10'' ab.
Big kudos.

Excellent report - had me on the edge of my seat!  Those days of contemplation leading up to a calculated act of hyper-vigilant awareness of your surroundings and safety (solo dive) are a gem in themselves.  To cap one off with the old-growth harvest is very fulfilling.  To cap one off with a trophy 10" ab is another feeling all together.  Way to go, Craig - nice one.   

Congrats & Happy B-day Craig! It's great that your b-day is "in season". That way you get to hunt for what you really want for your birthday!     jim/redyak

That's a studly snail my friend, good work.


S.

Nice job on the big bucket and Happy B-Day...hopefully someone gave you this t-shirt!