Isthmus Reef, Catalina, CA

Night time/Lobster Hunting

Dove with Nick

In With: 2800 psi
Out With: 700 psi
Max depth: 70 feet
Waves: 0
Visibility: 15-20 feet
Water Temperature: Cool
Total Bottom Time: 50 minutes

Opening Night Of Lobster Season!

Nick flew in from Cleveland and barely made the boat.

This was the opening night of Lobster season.

Nick and I signed up in August for this trip and was suppose to be limited to the number of “available bunks” since this was an over night boat.

I got the last bunk after fighting over a bunk.

Nick had to sleep in the galley; the Dive Masters Sean and Julia didn’t seem to care that the boat was apparently over sold – not that they could have done anything about it.

We waited for several hours until midnight.

I waited for Nick; we were not the first off the boat, as I had hoped.

I got my hands on a few lobsters, but they had wiggled free.

Nick was out of shape and we were swimming against a current.

Nick at one point waited on the surface for me.

When I surfaced, he was gone.

Apparently, Nick made it back to the boat after he lost a fin in the kelp – which was found and returned by another diver.

Nick was frustrated and apparently pissed at me because I “wasn’t paying attention” to my buddy.

I forgot to explain that I’m a shitty dive buddy when it comes to lobster hunting.

Long Point, Palos Verdes, CA
(aka The Old Marineland)

Solo Diving/Spear Fishing

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 45 feet
Waves: 1 to 2 feet, calm
Visibility: 10-15 feet
Water Temperature: It was cold at times
Total Bottom Time: 50 minutes

I got to Long Point about 10 AM; vis reports from other divers was 10-15 feet.

I went off The Point; it was pretty calm and an easy entry.

I headed East a little ways and hunted fish.

After about 25 minutes I found a dozen or so female sheephead.

I was wondering if some were legal.

Those fish are so stupid; I was waiting for “the big one” and didn’t bother spearing any of the smaller fish.

There was a strong current going toward Redondo Beach.

I tried to swim to the Cove to exit, but was getting too tired and not making very much progress.

I decided to float back to the Point where I exited without incident.

No fish, but oh well!

At least I look macho carrying my spear gun.