Calm before the Storm, Last 3 Abs and filled my card 11-27-12

Headed out solo late yesterday morning for my last ab dive of the season at Van Damme. The window looked promising and it did not disappoint. 

I arrived to calm conditions with overcast skies at 2:30 PM. I took my time suiting up and was in the water by 3:00 PM. The visibility was in excess of 20 feet "unbelievable"  . I made my way out to this one area that I been wanting to get to since the beginning of the season but could not find because of the dense kelp.

I found the structure in about 15 FOW and it must have had at least 30 abs all above 8" on it. I swam around it for a while and then popped off three 8-1/2" abs.

I had brought my pole spear with me since I knew that there would still be some daylight left after ab diving. I speared my first ever free diving fish. It was a 17" green ling. I've shot plenty of other fish before but it was always on tanks (big difference). Damn that was awkward but fun! 

On my way back to shore I saw a full grown leopard shark cruising below me in 20 FOW. Underwater it looked to be at least 5-1/2 feet long and 40 lbs plus. So I knew that it was well over the 36" limit size. 

I started to stalk him from the surface as he hovered about a foot from the bottom. I left my float untethered as I swam after him. The bastard didn't miss a beat as he swam further and further away from my float. After about 100 ft. I decided to abort and return to my float. Luckily the conditions were so awesome that the float barely moved at all. I was actually more concerned about the night fall more than anything because it  was getting dark fast.

I then swam to shore, tagged my last three abs of the season filling my card for the very first time.

I then started the long ride back arriving home at 10 PM.

It was a great way to end the season and some quality alone time.

Antonio

Nice going buddy! Let's make plans to dive together next season. I went to Navarro and was surprised by the great vis- could see the bottom clearly, which helped reduce the search time underwater. 

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Love Van Damme! Wish I could have got out once more this year I only filled 6 spots on my ab card

Hardcore bro! Dive together this winter for sure.

Nice work Antonio.  Thanks for sharing the experience.  I just might have to take you up on the offer to teach some beginner's diving techniques.  I think I could do 15 ft.

Martin

Way to hit the opportunities the past few weeks, Antonio!  Nice job and congrats.   

Way to hit the dive Antonio. Thanks for the invite and glad you made it out. Would love to hookup next season for some abs. Actually for that matter, if you want to do some dives for fun or fish or urchin or whatever, I'm game. Again, sweet dive report.

Nice work Antonio.  Thanks for sharing the experience.  I just might have to take you up on the offer to teach some beginner's diving techniques.  I think I could do 15 ft.

Martin

I want to learn too

Nice work Antonio.  Thanks for sharing the experience.  I just might have to take you up on the offer to teach some beginner's diving techniques.  I think I could do 15 ft.

Martin

Martin

Definitely, one thing I'm is patient. But if there is going to be more beginners I'm going to need help.
I'm sure we can get some more experienced NCKA divers involved for a beginners ab dive hookup next season. 

Antonio

Nice going buddy! Let's make plans to dive together next season. I went to Navarro and was surprised by the great vis- could see the bottom clearly, which helped reduce the search time underwater. 

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2nd time is a charm John!

Thanks Eric!

Way to hit the dive Antonio. Thanks for the invite and glad you made it out. Would love to hookup next season for some abs. Actually for that matter, if you want to do some dives for fun or fish or urchin or whatever, I'm game. Again, sweet dive report.

I plan to continue hitting it to become a better diver, so definitely.

Hardcore bro! Dive together this winter for sure.

Joe,

Definitely!

I would like to try SWS sometime soon.

Martin

Definitely, one thing I'm is patient. But if there is going to be more beginners I'm going to need help.
I'm sure we can get some more experienced NCKA divers involved for a beginners ab dive hookup next season. 

Antonio

If this happens I'd be more than willing to hook up with you guys. I'd put me in the intermediate level so can help people some, but not great like Jim 

Way to hit the window Antonio.
WAY different than Sunday.
Next year for sure bro.

Way to hit the window Antonio.
WAY different than Sunday.
Next year for sure bro.

Yeah the vis was awesome and it allowed me to see this piece of treasure from the surface at 20 FOW. 

I better go check to see that I still have mine...looks exactly like that one.
I like yellow because it's the only real color I can see in the water...hell, who am I foolin'? On land too.