Posted by Eric Sedletzky on August 07, 2000 at 22:36:13:
In Reply to: They aren't all gone... posted by seahunt on August 07, 2000 at 17:39:53:
I suppose if you go to areas that are easily accessible and dive to about the 10-15 ft mark, then yes it is going to be a bit picked over. Now if you can get down to the 20-30 ft depth then things look different. I've seen plenty of nice size ones all up and down the coast just out of reach for the majority of divers. Keep in mind though that average size of a full grown ab is about 8 - 8 1/2". After that it takes them years to get even 1/2" bigger. A 10" AB is actually a very rare sight. Some areas on the coast tend to produce larger than average snails. Maybe this is due to isolated genetics? or ocean currents/ food supply? Who knows.