Posted by Chris on March 27, 2001 at 19:53:58:
Last week on Tuesday-Wednesday March 20-21, 2001 I went out on the Peace.
It was the annual end of the season "Animals" lobster hunting trip.
The Animals trips cater to hard core hunters.
The destinations are chosen for game, not for nice dive conditions or beauty.
Our first destination on Tuesday morning was Brockaway at Santa Rosa Island.
This has shelf type terrain similar to Talcott Shoals, but the visability is usually lower.
On the first dive I got two nice bugs, one about 3 lbs. and one about 2 lbs.
The next dive I grabbed for more, from just legal up to about 4 lbs.
After that I went cold, and could not find a legal bug.
At the end of the day we ended up in a shallow area (8 to 22 ft.) of Talcott shoals.
I caught one more and Ron caught the big bug of the day, which was about 6 lbs.
After dark we went to Miguel to spend the night.
The second day we headed to a deep spot (90ft.) at Talcott for the first dive.
All anyone found was shorts.
So we moved in shallow for the rest of the day.
The swell had risen over night, so the shallow dives became a bit more challenging.
The first shallow dive I caught a barley legal bug.
Then I saw nothing legal for the next two dives.
On the fourth dive I was in about 30 ft. when a large set came through and I got worked in the surge a bit.
However I knew that those who were shallower than me got it worse!
On the fourth dive I grabbed a nice looking 4 lb. bug, but when I returned to the boat I discovered it was a female with eggs, so I gave it to Shel to put back into the reef.
Ron also returned with another 6+ lb. bug on the fourth dive.
We moved a bit for the fifth dive and this was my dive.
I got four very nice 2-4 lb. bugs on this dive.
It was a great trip.
The water was cold 50 to 53 °F.
Everyone dove in wetsuits.
Everyone dove solo.
All but one person used steel tanks.
Most people dove without BCs.
As usual, Roger's food was great.
Ron caught the biggest bugs!
Everyone caught bugs, but I don't think anyone limited.
Everyone had fun.
Pictures can be found at
http://CaliforniaDiveBoats.com/Peace/2001.03.20-21/