Abalone Diving Mendo

Went up to Fort Bragg this weekend. Took the Yak and launched at Russian Gulch on Sat morn. Got three abs and speared a striped perch. I had limited time so I didn't get the biggest abs. One 7 1/2 and two just over 8". The visibility was about 10-12 feet. This was my first time diving Russian Gulch and and 4th time ab diving ever. I BBQ'd the fish and made a garlic butter white wine sauce with it which I poured over the abalone I just cooked . I gifted the other two abs to my gf so I could get three the next day. The next day on Sunday morning my friend drove up and we launched at Van Damme. The first spot we went to was very protected with thick kelp bulbs in the center of the dive spot. There was a decapitated dead baby seal floating on the kelp bulbs which gave me an eery vibe . We paddled around and dove some other spots hunting for the "big ones". After diving we paddled through a few caves -- very fun! Then we paddled out to a blowhole on the big island. Unfortunately I forgot my gopro camera. Next time! It was a very good weekend and some fun diving!

Was it the cove south of van damme just past the cemetry

Yes I believe so. That is were we saw the dead seal.

That spot is awesome good diving tunnels are cool blowholes rock,,,, but I've never been there before... Wink wink

Nice!!!!

Congrats on the abs and a fun time up there!!

Looking forward to the video next time!!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks Jim. Congrats on that 27.5" eel you got! I didn't see too many fish but my friend said he saw a large fish "with spines" while we were diving. I showed him my rock fish id chart when we got in and he pointed right to a cab. Go figure. I'm planning on doing some diving this Sunday prob at SWS.

Congrat on the Ab limit and thanks for the report Garratt.

Thanks Jim. Congrats on that 27.5" eel you got! I didn't see too many fish but my friend said he saw a large fish "with spines" while we were diving. I showed him my rock fish id chart when we got in and he pointed right to a cab. Go figure. I'm planning on doing some diving this Sunday prob at SWS.

Thanks buddy!

I'm trying to go north for abs on Sunday, but if I need to stay close to home may join you down here...

Check out what Joe/Bloodbath and I got up to last Sunday!

 



 

Sincerely,
Jim

Nicely done, Garrat! The mendo coast is awesome this time of year. Nice and flat, and usually good vis compared to earlier.

Nice. That's a great video . Your the eel slayer!