BABL Mendo County 6.11.11: First competition, First Verm

This past weekend, I went on a camping trip up to Manchester for the Big Ab Big Ling Event, an RFA fundraiser with over a hundred divers participating.

After weeks of anticipation, Thursday came and I was ready to head up to do some scouting. I had originally planned to scout earlier, but due to scheduling, conditions, and prolonged sinus problems, I was unable to. Still, I figured that if I could at least get familiar with the area, I would do well.

We arrived late on Thursday, so my scouting was reduced to looking at spots from shore. By Friday, however, I was able to get in the water.

Though I wanted to try a spot north of the check-in for the event (which I probably should have, judging by the quality of fish brought in by 2 guys who dove there), I had a hunch to go south for less time commuting and more in the water. I paddled out with a group of guys, with sizable swells and really strong wind, which made it very difficult. I was constantly being splashed in the face by wind waves and by the time I got out to the spot, my eyes stung with salt. I picked a few abs, to over 9", as well as a small black and yellow, in about 30 feet of water.

Despite the larger quantity of good-sized abs, which I really didn't focus on, I was somewhat discouraged by the lack of fish and good structure I saw. Mainly just flat reef. I decided to dive there for the competition regardless.

The day of the comp, I was in the water by 8am. My goal was to focus on finding good ling topography, and not worry about abs which weren't worth any points anyways. Two of my main competitors in the junior division had opted to dive at Van Damme, so upon hearing this, I was confident in my chances of winning due to the better potential of my spot.

The wind had died from the day before, and I anchored in about 30 feet of water. Vis was great, 10-15 feet. Again, I was discouraged by the lack of boulders/ledges/holes, so I began widening my circles in hopes of finding better topography. Soon enough, I found myself about 100 yards away from my kayak, in about 35 feet of water.

 I made a drop and quickly spotted a fish hovering above the bottom. At first it appeared a rusty-brown color, so I figured that it was a copper. I slowly made my way towards it, and it gradually turned broadside. I then noticed the lateral line and black splotches. At that point, something clicked in my head that it was a vermillion, the first I've seen. It slowly moved towards some palm kelp, and I knew I'd lose it if it got into it. I slowly stalked the red to about 4 feet, where I lined up a shot behind the eyes in the spine.... stoned. I grabbed the fish and ascended to the surface, where I let out a whoop of excitement. My first red!     

After that, I kept moving spots, desperately trying to find a ling or cab to seal my victory. I shot a decent greenling, a 12" black and yellow, a little schooly blue (to try to attract a ling, to no avail), and I popped a 9.3 ab. I spent the last 30 minutes in the shallow coralline algae, making drop after drop trying to find a cab... for nothing.

It was impressive to see so many HUGE lings and abs at the weigh-in, including a 24 lb. hawg 
Also, it was great having so many excellent divers stoked to see my verm and congratulate me on it. It weighed in at 2.5 pounds, and I was elated to have made such an accomplishment. My stringer (greenling, b&y, verm) totaled over 5 pounds and resulted in about 8 points.

As it turned out, my fear about not winning due to a lack of a ling/cab came true, and I was edged by 1 point by a guy who went up to Caspar and shot a greenling, a decent cab, and a decent striped perch. The cab was 2.5, so it was the perch that most likely made the difference.   

Also, the winning 24# lingcod was shot within 100 yards, and 15 feet shallower than where I shot my verm. 
At least I know where I'm headed next time 

Over the two days I dove, I spent around 10 hours diving, all in my 5mil, and not once did anything but my feet get cold. I finished 2nd in the junior division (biggest ab in the junior division I believe), crossed a difficult-to-hunt species off my list, and had a great time talking to some very experienced divers.

I can't wait for my next competition so I can take what's mine!   

 

WTG Rick!!!!!!!
 

BEAUTIFUL fish buddy!!!!

So stoked for you!!!

I have a feeling there are MANY more Verms and competition wins in your future!!

Really impressive dude!!

Congrats again and thanks for sharing!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Nice!  WAY TO GO BRO!!!!!   You got the skills, keep it up, your time will come!!

GREAT JOB RICK!!! Beautiful fish right there little brother!   .......

lol......1:46am, you're stoked 

Impressive finish....your stringer, anchored by the red, would seem to be the more impressive.....perch are lame.

Way to go, Rick!  Great report.  Your sportsmanship is strong.   

congrats on the verm rick, cameron

Congrats, Rick!!!

Beautiful vermillion!  It's one of those fish that get me excited and giddy every time I shoot one.  Never gets old, always brings a smile to my face to rise to the surface watching those crimson colors develop and glow!   

The tourney thing is about 25% diving ability, 25% strategery, & 50% luck.  The more scouting you do, the less luck comes into play... but it's always a prevalent force.  Not to take anything away from the winner, but I agree with Art - your stringer is the more impressive one. 

As Jimmay said, it's just one of many reds to come... & with your drive, no tourney placing is out of reach.   

Thats awesome man, congrats!  I hope to finally be able to dive with you soon!  See ya out there buddy!

Nice dude, your a beast out there. Always look forward to your reports...

Are you sure you are as young as you look, you are very well spoken!

nice job! Great future ahead of you!

Nice job, Rick!

Verms should be point weighted over friggin perch.  A verm shows a serious dive.  Crap, you can shoot perch from the top.

excellent job on your first verm rick.  Like fuzz said but a little different.  My diving ability is about 5% Skill 2% Strategy and well over 100% blind dumb luck.  You should have one.  But I have to disagree with agarcia.  I have done some serious trophy perch hunting in my day and there is nothing finer than a hog perch to put an exclamation point on your stringer.  hahaha punk perch... lol  Nice job buddy.  lets dive soon
HP

Way to go Rick!!!  Must have been fun showing up people twice your age 

Rick,
Congrats on your 2nd place finish and an awesome stringer.
Taking a red freediving is a special accomplishment and doing so in your first year of diving is even more impressive.
The funny thing is the Jr. catagory has three (including yourself) divers that are better than 70% of the others regaurdless of age (we had 114 divers the day of the event), so there are no gimmys here. 
It was nice to meet you and your parents and I hope we see you back next year.

Once again Rick, Congrats and keep up your passion.  You're a great diver at 15 and quickly on your way to being one of the best.

Nice write up.   It was good to meet you on the water.  I was hoping you'd get a Cab at the end.

See ya next tourney.