Posted by Patrick Smith on December 26, 2004 at 20:04:12:
Since the weather looked like it was going to plotz for the remainder of the week, we decided to give it a try today.
Launched out of Cabrillo, and we were met with generally overcast skies with a smattering of sun, and flat, flat, flat conditions. On the first jump on the Johanna Smith, found 10-15 foot visibility, and spent an enjoyable dive touring the site while trying to stay clear of the lines of the myriad bug traps that nearly carpet the wreck. Tried some available light shooting with the digital, and after playing with the white balance, was actually able to capture some keeper shots.
Dive two was on Monfalcone. Viz here was maybe 5-8 feet, with again tons’o traps on the site. The sculpin that had literally blanketed the wreck a few weeks ago seem to have gone back to where ever they had come from, and now the sand bass seem to have commandeered the site.
Last dive of the day was on the F.S. Loop. Again, the clarity was probably 25+ feet high up in the water column, but declined to 5-10 feet on the bottom. It was an easy dive spent mostly poking and peeking, and also managed to get a couple of more identifiable images on the memory card. By 13:30, there was only the slightest ripple of wind, but the swell had gone from non-existent to a 3-5 foot surge against the break wall. The trip in was easy and fast, and unusual in that there was zero wind in the usually nasty Hurricane Gulch. Also, no one in front of us at the launch ramp. I can’t understand that – it was an awesome day for the middle of Winter. Water temp at depth 57-58 degrees.
I love California diving.
Stay wet.
Patrick Smith