Isthmus Reef, Catalina, CA

Night time/Solo/Lobster Hunting

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 1200 psi
Max depth: 45 feet
Waves: 0
Visibility: 15-20 feet
Water Temperature: Cool
Total Bottom Time: 30 minutes

I was determined to get one more dive in, but I wasn’t expecting to find any lobsters – they aren’t around the area any more.

They’ve all been spooked.

I was so… I had my mind on other things and jumped overboard without my fins.

Oh well, only both Dive Masters saw me, but I quickly swam with my arms over to the current line and pulled my way back to the boat.

Anyway, this was a short and uneventful dive.

I used my small lights, leaving my big one on board.

I was back within 30 minutes lobsterless.

Now, for whatever reason, Nick only sent me the following picture from the entire night…

Here is me crying to someone, who obviously doesn’t care, about spending $90 to go lobster hunting and bringing home nothing.

I hate to say it, and I love the Bottom Scratcher, but this lobster trip was not run very well at all.

The trip was over sold (Nick had to sleep in the galley) and we sat in one spot all night long with 24 divers in the water, spooking all the lobsters back in to their holes.

If I wanted to sit on the same body of water all night long and not catch anything, I would have stayed home and soaked in the tub.

I still love this boat though!

I got drunk on the way back sitting with Captain Greg (who was NOT drinking).

Captain Greg was a little freaked out going back through the fog.

I sat up with him on the way back; he woke up some guy named Jim to help him navigate.

Arch Point
Santa Barbara Island, CA off of the Sundiver Boat

Dove with Nick

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 900 psi
Max depth: 50 feet
Waves: 3-4 towards shore, strong current and surges
Visibility: 30 feet
Water Temperature: Cool to cold
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes

The Captain said there’s lobsters in the rocks.

I traded my camera for my lobster bag, but realized that once I jumped over that I forgot my lobster gauge.

Realizing that I haven’t even seen a lobster on this trip, I didn’t sweat it.

I almost got swept into a crevice by a strong surge.

Nick and I followed toward the arch; I reached as deep as 50 feet.

It’s pretty barren here, sea urchins and small fish – well, I saw a big Sheephead here.

Coming back to the boat we encountered a strong current.

We swam down over a ledge where the current was weaker.

Around the boat, Nick aggressively dug out a lobster that was wedged in the rocks, ripping off both of its antennas.

After measuring it, it was indeed short, so we set it free.

We were supposed to do a fourth dive; I’m glad we didn’t.

I had completely lost track of where I am on the dive tables.

Boat Review Of The Sundiver:

The Sundiver is an OK boat, but there’s three things that I didn’t like:

1. They strap your gear bag to a ledge that dangles over the side.

2. They had double bunks. SO if you’re alone, you may be sleeping with some dude.

3. They charge for everything! $4 air fills, $1 coffees, etc.

4. It is note worthy to realize that you can stumble onto the deck and be a drunken dick the night before a dive and, probably won’t be thrown overboard.

After a five hour boat ride back, we all safely arrived back at port.

A great weekend of diving!