Fuzz & Spinal Tap - Monterey kayak dive

After years of being exiled to San Diego, my good buddy Nate (Spinal Tap) recently moved back to the Bay Area. 
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,25458

No longer will he have to endure the tough diving conditions of La Jolla... must've been hell living 5 minutes from sunny beaches, huge fish, & bikini-clad co-eds. 




For his inaugural back-to-Norcal dive, we loaded the kayaks and headed down south to Monterey.  Pulling up to the launch, we were greeted by cool weather, light winds, & gentle swells.  After leisurely suiting up, we paddled out to a familiar reef and slipped into the frigid water.

Under the water's surface, conditions were nice.  The recent cool weather has tempered much the normal summer plankton bloom.  Visibility ranged from 6-15ft, with water temps averaging about 54F.

The kelp has grown rampant this year.  The thick canopy of kelp fronds block out most of the ambient light, so each dive began with a descent into an uneasy dark gloom.  Reaching the bottom, our eyes slowly adjusted as we searched for game.  Flashlights were essential to effectively hunt the many cracks & ledges.  Throughout the day, we worked 6 reef systems from 20 to 50+ft deep, hustling to find some quality fish.

End result:
4 lings
2 fat cabs
4 vermillion
& an assortment of select rockfish


Nate did awesome.  He not only shot his first ling, first ling limit, and a fat cab... but he dove all day in only a 5mm suit!   



Since no one really cares about the text anyways... on to the pics! 

Wide expanses of kelp & Nate exhibiting seal technique :


Nate's big ling of day:



FAT cab:


Plump B&Y (great for steaming):


My modest fish assortment:




Great day on the water!
Exhausting, but ultimately fulfilling.   

Awsome job! You guys are studs!!!

Wow...nice Lings and various selctions of RFs.  Thanks for the report and pictures Harold.

That there is some quality killing....excellent job men.

Holy crap!!!!!!

You guys f'ing ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTG fellas!!

Those are some SWEEEEEET fishies!!!

Congrats again and thanks for sharing!!

Sincerely,

Jim

That was a fun day.  Thanks again Harold.  Even that seal technique picture was actually was kind of flattering considering I'm actually fatter in person.  So camo suits really do work as they help blur outlines.   

It's funny how in that same suit I don't last more than 2 hours diving in San Diego, but so much longer in "frigid" norcal.  I guess time really does fly when you're having fun.  I'm so psyched to be back. 

Nate

WTG Nate ! That is a fat Ling !

You are lucky that ling did not swallow you whole.

Excellent.

Fantastic shooting and diving you two. I hadnt seen from you Harold for awhile. Great pics. How long was the ling? Very nice fish. All of them.

You guys can shoot!!  Wish I can dive in kelp beds like that.  Congrats on all the nice fish. 

Rey

Looks like not only are you handy with the spear, but also the camera!
Really great shots! That lingcod looks Alaska sized!

Wtg brothers!! That is a great way to welcome Nate back to Nor Cal!!

Nate,
NICE JOB!!!  In between killing fish, WTF are you doing?  Humping Harold's Kayak?

Where's the other red, kelpie and monkey faced eel?   

Stuart

Where's the other red, kelpie and monkey faced eel?   

Brutal!
I felt bad & left that out on purpose, but since you asked... fair game! 

As I recall, his excuses (in order) were - fish farther than originally thought, defective gun doesn't shoot straight, and hand blocked flashlight.   

Awesome report and pictures Fuzz. Nate, WTG on that
monster ling bro.

Jedmo