Dive Report: Bania Reef 11/22

"That's gold Jerry, gold!"

Yesterday morning JTfishing and I left San Jose at 4AM to an undisclosed location along the North Coast to meet up with DG.

We paddled out to a spot that we had previously discussed over the phone.  Using Google Earth as a reference we agreed on a cove that looked like it probably had little traffic due to its remoteness.

Upon arriving there to our dismay we found a zodiac and a few shore divers at our intended spot. So we opted to dive along the outer reef of the cove instead.

I had a good feeling about this spot and I started singing some silly rendition of “Tonight’s going to be a good night” while substituting the word “night” with “dive”.

Around this time DG turns to me and for whatever reason says  “you’re golden”. Then I replied “who are you supposed to be Kenny Bania?” hence the name Bania Reef.

On my first dive I gauged 2 – 9+ inch abs…... WOW!  I thought to myself this area definitely looks promising.
(For the record I carry both a 7” gauge that is attached to my bar to cover regulations and also a 9” gauge. I also have a 10” gauge that I leave on my board.)

Before I get to do a second dive DG hails me over and says that he had found a good spot. I was torn because I didn’t want to leave the honey hole that I had just found. But decided to change spots and boy I’m glad I did.

On my first dive at DG’s spot I gauge a fat 9.5 inch plus ab. I did a dozen or so dives in that general area gauging at least another six  9inch abs before going back and popping the first one.

After making another 10 or so dives I located a long ledge that I started to follow and found this crack on top of it. The crack was about 3 feet long, 3 feet deep and 5” wide in 16 FOW. Smack dab in the middle of this crack was this tightly tucked ab. There was barely enough space to get my gauge on him and to my surprise it clearly was a 10 incher.

Now the problem was how to extract him from such a tight spot. After pondering it over for a few minutes I dove back down and effortlessly pried him off the side of the rock. He started to fall deeper into the crevice and I quickly shoved my ab bar underneath him and with an upward thrust pushed him towards the opening. Now spinning like a wheel the ab easily floated out of the crack.

Ab in hand I surfaced and swam over to my board to double and triple check with my 10” trophy gauge. Bingo! My first 10 incher 

Knowing that there could be others close by I dove back down and rounded the corner of the ledge and popped my head into a cave. About 10 feet away was the head profile of a nice size ling lying motionless on the bottom. I calmly surfaced, breathed up, dove back down, positioned myself and blasted em right below the eye. With a firmly placed shaft through its head I wrestled the 34-1/2”, 16 lb ling to the surface. Another personal best free diving record accomplished for the day. 
Popped one more fat ab ending up with a 9-1/2”, 9-3/4” and a PB 10-1/4” for my limit.

By the time we paddled back to the beach the sun was setting. We loaded up the gear in the dark and headed back home arriving in San Jose a little passed midnight.

It was a pleasure sharing this special day with good friends OTW. 

It is gold.  Looks like PB abalone and Ling on the same day.  Way to go.  You earned it. 

Hahaha, I wondered if this was a seinfeld reference...nice ab!

Hahaha, I wondered if this was a seinfeld reference...nice ab!

Yes definitely a Seinfeld reference 

It is gold.  Looks like PB abalone and Ling on the same day.  Way to go.  You earned it. 

Thanks brother 

Nice score Antonio! Where was this again? Lol

Awesome work, Antonio! Congrats. It's very cool to have Duane's local expertise and skills, too.

Awesome work, Antonio! Congrats. It's very cool to have Duane's local expertise and skills, too.

Hes definitely a good dive buddy 

Ling dinner Portuguese style at the in laws.

Awesome!

That food looks good.  I know you guys are not talking about me . I am a newbie with lots to learn.  On the right track though.  Next year all 10s.  Yeah right

That food looks good.  I know you guys are not talking about me . I am a newbie with lots to learn.  On the right track though.  Next year all 10s.  Yeah right

I just keep you around in case I need a tow 

Congrats on the PB Ab and thanks for the report + pictures Antonio.

Nice work, way to close out the season!

Great Job guys!!!

That recipe for ling looks awesome!

Matt

Strait Killin' it!

Cool report.....but you know what's cooler.....ovaltine.....that is gold.