Searching for giant abs

Hello all,

new to the site and time to quit lurking. Planning on taking my new Ocean Kayak 13 out for it's maiden ocean voyage tomorrow to Shell Beach to look for giant abalone.  Weather forcast looks as good as I've seen for awhile. Does anyone have any advice on the layout there? Haven't dove it before. Wanting to make this year THE year I find my first 10" abalone and have heard Shell Beach is one spot to check out. I live thirty minutes from there and thought I'd spend some time learning the spot if it really is a place for giants. Any and all comments or help are appreciated. Realize 10" abs are RARE, but don't want to waste time diving spots that don't produce them.  Am very proud of my personal best 9 3/4", but it's not a 10. Also realize that folks generally don't divulge spots where the giants live.  Also looking for information on Trinidad for giant abs. Know there are some isolated pockets there that have them, just don't know the precise locations to begin searching.  Thanks in advance,

SRJ

SRJ, here is a link to a friends trophy hunter website. Look under abalone diving tips, study up.

http://abaloneten.googlepages.com/home

Howdy, SRJ, welcome aboard.  I'm pretty far from Shell Beach, but Trinidad is somewhere I'm quite familiar with.  Will you be diving out of your kayak?  Do you have a connection to Trinidad?

I'm Eric.   

There are no giant abalone at Shell Beach period. Think south. Think Bodega head.

Go deep !!   look for rocky spots in the 25ft range on your fishfinder.  good luck

South point of Stump Beach in a cave a 101/2 in 1986. South of Horseshoe cove 10 even 10 ft of water right on top.2007 Jenner at hole in the rock 25ft deep in a hole 10 3/16 1979. I know someone who scored 3 over 10 at the noth point of Ft Ross believe it or not. Its just how far back in are you willing to go. Find a place with big rocks. Like big f-250's fallen all over themselves. Take a light, take a chance.you know you are far in when your friends can't see your fins anymore. Also please take a dive buddy so he knows where he last saw you go in. I haven't found as many as Eric but I am not way up north wher there is way less pressure. But I have found 7 total. I will say this they are few and far between and when you find one you have the holy grail of ab diving.

Gents,

thanks for the timely replies.  Ravensblack- that info bums me out, as I had heard from someone who has 111 abs over 10" that Shell beach was a place to hunt for a 10. Is it possible that there is a "shell beach" in the area around Gualala?As for Bodega head, dove Bodega rock(aka: shark park)last year with a friend, and that is where I got my 9 3/4. Will go back again in his boat, but it is a scary place to dive(nevermind the 2 prior attacks on ab divers by Whitey at that location). Eric,  spent many summers of my youth in Trinidad, as my pop was a commercial salmon fisherman for twenty years there. Had heard from a fellow that I met in shelter cove, that Trinidad has monsters(he's gotten 25 10's and 2 11's there. Access is hellish, but I've been told the area around Egg point/Egg head is a good place to start.  Would love to hunt the areas in Humboldt and am more than willing to travel. Consider the Humboldt area a second home to me.  Much history for me there.  Well, am committed to trying shell beach tomorrow. did a recon of the area tonight and we'll see what happens. Again thanks for all the help, especially the Abten website. Will give an update on the hunt.

I'm quite intrigued by your history in the area and knowledge of some spots.  When you're headed this way you should PM me. 

25 10's and 2 11's there

that's about my tally for up there too...

 

He could mean Shell beach at The Sea Ranch.111 over 10? I would have to see them to believe that unless he was diving in the 50's when I heard you could rock pick tens at places like sea ranch and salt point.

No, Craig, there are some who are quite obsessed with this - lots of 10's are still being pulled.

  http://abaloneten.googlepages.com/home

Thanks again for additional information.  Eric - would love to meet you up there and dive sometime soon.  Craig - thinking the Sea Ranch/Shell Beach connection was what he meant.  The fellow with 111 abs is none other than Rodney Orr.  More after my trip tomorrow.

Same here.  My biggest ab was 9.75" and still searching for my 10".  Good luck tomorrow...

More info on getting a 10" ab:

- it's very important to have a 10" guage;
- pass up the big 9.5+'s...;
- use an anchor to mark the abs you find;
- be ready for the worst conditions you've ever seen;
- keep an open mind.

 

More info on getting a 10" ab:

- it's very important to have a 10" guage;
- pass up the big 9.5+'s...;
- use an anchor to mark the abs you find;
- be ready for the worst conditions you've ever seen;
- keep an open mind.

 

- it's very important to have a 10" guage;   ---> got it.
- pass up the big 9.5+'s...;    ---> This will be hard, but I'll try 
- use an anchor to mark the abs you find; ---> Just curious, how many anchors do you own? 
- be ready for the worst conditions you've ever seen;  ---> good advise!
- keep an open mind.  ---> my mind is open and clear 

Hi Diver:

  My last tip from a Old Timer at Jenner was,  "Elephant Rock" at Mcclures Beach. Now I know why!
  The larger the prize the bigger the risk, GrassHopper!
                                                                   

http://www.protrails.com/trail.php?trailID=283

 Quote:"Trail Description
McClures Beach is the northern most accessible beach at Point Reyes, an idyllic crescent framed by towering bluffs and pounding waves. Distance from the main visitor center and a steep access trail keep crowds to a minimum in this tranquil corner of the Seashore. Swimming, wading and surfing are not permitted at McClures Beach due to strong surf and active White Shark populations just off shore. Hazards notwithstanding this is arguably one of Point Reyes' most compelling beaches for its size, scenery and isolation. "

 April 1, I got my Ass Kicked! I posted some Pics. which I'm busted for "NO TAGS"
  yet! 
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,17185.0.html

                                                                                   Sea-ya
                                                                                   Ernie