PG Lovers Point Monterey 2/6 report

Hey there,

I made it out to Lovers point to dive for the first time and didnt get there until around 10:30am. Upon arriving and scanning the park for anyone related to NCKA, I found three walking with beers in hand already. Big Jim, Bloodbath and sorry but I didnt recognize the last one were cruising the path looking out at the ocean. They told me that they had already finished their diving and caught their fish for the day. None the less, it was nice to run into the fellas as it was my first time meeting them in person - cheers!

I found out from the fellas where to dive and where not to due to regulations, thanks guys.  I went in around 11ish and didnt get out until say 3ish or so. The sun was out and there was a slight breeze, but not enough to call for a hoodie. The water had a little mixed swell with a few surgie rollers every so often, but diveable none the less. Visibility on the other hand, did not get any better, and was a particulate 10 to 12 feet. But at least thanks to the light, once you hit bottom, everything lit up well enough to see in holes and what not. I have to concur with the others that most of the fish were holed up and I had to really work to find and get some.

I proceeded for the deepest part I could reach with my boogie board and found what I would say was some 35 ft, at least thats what the guys on the boat diving overboard, said the depth was. I swam out to them with my boogie board since I figured they would be in a prime location, but of course I got the third degree as they were some scenic picture taking divers and tried to scold me for hunting their slippery friends. I parted ways and looked for any kind of lone kelp patch and finaly found a flat top pinacle that was say 25 feet tall, and riddled with little pockets and caves. I was able to score a few grass and kelp cod here, then move on.  There is a lot of sand surrounding this area and a number of times, I thought I saw what looked like big sanddabs or some kind or squarish flounders, but they spooked easily and were gone before I could take aim. While looking for more sanddabs and focusing on the sand surrounding the few rocks in the deep, I managed to spook a gigantic cabbie, and of course, before I could take aim it too skittered off somewhere beyond visibility. Talk about disappointing, no sand dabbers or cabbie hadders.

After nailing some seven or so beefy grass and kelpies, I decided it was time to find a Cabbie and redeem myself. I swam in and dumped my fish off with the board and swam back out to explore the shallow cliffs, where the waves crash. This proved to be a plus for me at SWS last time I was determined, and I nailed a monster 24" that time. So while cruising through and around the cool boulder rock structures in the 10 to 15 range, I finally found some cabbies. Of course the little bastards would be right next to my head or shoulder, and as soon as I notice them, seee yahh, their gone. So I looked and looked, and peeked in every hole, crater, crack, you name it. I surprisingly saw lots of smaller rock fish, blacks and golds, kelpies, even sea trout, holed up, but no cabbies snoozin. Then finally, while just deciding to go down one more time in a spot that was completely open, with just a three foot flat furry rock in the open, I see an awesome cabbie, proud and perched like the lion king, head up in the air and rocking back and forth to the surge. I take aim and Blammmo - nailed to the head, but of course, I almost lose him because my shaft hits the rock on the other side and the flapper doesnt engage. Needless to say, I jumped on the bastard like an octopus and blanketed him to the surface.  Score, a beautiful 19 inch red cabbie, and that ended the day. Hope you guys didnt mind the long write up, and sorry no vids this time, the viz wouldnt cut it. Pics of fish below.

cheers,

Geoff

EXCELLENT work buddy!!!!!!! 

I worked that same shallow/rocky area for a long time looking for that cabbie and could not find him...glad you did!!!!
 

Nice meeting you on the path bro, and looking forward to getting to dive with you next time!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Nice stringer you got there!  Thanks for the report and pictures Geoff.

Damit!!!!!!!

well done! Some fatties!! Great write up.

Great report! Those shallow area's with coralline algae hold a lot of cabs, and you get more bottom time so you can spend more time trying to spot them.

nice desu ne!

how far u gotta swim to find the deeper stuff?

geoff u lettin the beard grow untill AB/LING opens up or what?

Dude!  Thats awesome that you got out there and ended up with a cabbie.  Thanks for report and pics, good story. 

Nice haul Geoff!

I yak fish that area frequently with a buddy of mine from Marina. Always get my limit everytime.
Can hardly wait for the opening season.

Thank you for the nice report and pictures.

Danny

Strong work Geoff!

Give me a ring next time you head down that way.   

Happy that ya got to meet Jim, Joe, and others there Stoked that you bagged yourself a nice stringer. Wtg!