August 30, 2006, Farnsworth
Bank, Day 4 of 4
At 0500 (five am) we approached the seamount called Farnsworth
Bank, nearly a mile offshore Catalina Island's weather side.
Named after the Island's famous freediver George Farnsworth, the
bank rises from hundreds of feet of seawater to two pinnacles,
one at 55 feet, the other at 70 feet. The water was smooth as
glass, yet a several foot windchop rolled through consistently,
rocking the boat every few minutes. Conditions were good, so I
sent the anchor into the dark waters.
After a thorough site briefing, we opened the gates and the
divers spilled out of the boat, eager to see the fields of
anemones, purple hydrocoral, gorgonians, and myriads of sea life
that cling to and swirl around the reef. During the second gate
I jumped in for a few minutes. The anchor line stretched down
into the blue, the visibility an easy 80 feet. Below 80 the
water dropped from 69 degrees, so I hovered above it most of the
dive. Mackerel glinted in the water column, darting away from
the imposing shapes of the marauding yellowtail. I circled the
two high spots and hovered with the splotched kelp bass and
curious blacksmith. Fields of anemones and purple hydrocoral
stretched like fields of wildflowers before me. How I would love
to stay hovering over the pinnacle for hours, but I must return
so Capt. Gary can enjoy the dive as well. After all had returned
safe and smiling, we pulled our skiff, our anchor and were on
our way home.
Until tomorrow night when we'll return to San Clemente. We hope
for good luck and weather.
until then,
Captain Chris
August 29, 2006, Santa Barbara
Island, Day 3 of 4
The weather was definitely snotty around the lee of San
Clemente, meaning old San Nick would have little in his bag for
us in the way of diving, so we were off to Santa Barbara, home
of the sea lions.
As the sun rose, so did the tawny pinnipeds and it was an
avalanche of lurching bodies down the hillside towards the
water. Quite a few met our divers at the stern anchor as well as
a fine giant black seabass. The visibility of the 67 degree
water was gradually dropping throughout the dive, so it was off
to somewhere new.
Sutil Island gave us some shelter from the strong westerly
windswell, though the water was a little green there too. We
moved over to Arch Point after lunch where it seemed we had
found the only clear water.
The giant black seabass we had seen there before was scarce,
only seen by one or two people, however the bat rays were out in
force, winging their way across the border of the sand and
rocks. A school of fingerling sardines darted around behind the
boat, flashing in the afternoons rays. We stayed for one more,
then moved down the island a bit for our night dive.
Octopus, moray eels, angel sharks and bat rays greeted our two
brave night divers. Everyone else ran for cover as the flying
fish caught the evening's blustery winds, landing on the deck,
bouncing off passengers and the side of the boat.
We anchored for the night and will weigh anchor for Farnsworth
Bank in the wee hours of the morning.
ciao,
Captain Chris
August 28, 2006, San Clemente
Island, Day 2 of 4
Dawn came cool and clear in Pyramid Cove, the dew pooled on our
sundeck cushions and a continuous supply of water dripped from
the wheelhouse roof. The crispness to the air an early sign of a
summer coming to a close.
Our morning dive found us at the Arch and several schools of
yellowtail circled the kelp-maned seamount. Lobsters, kelp
rockfish, scorpionfish and gorgonians adorned the outer reef and
inner archway. The current was mild and the visibility was
roughly 35 feet. Overnight, the south swell had dropped
considerably, but we really wanted to get to the leeward north
facing side of the island to some clearer waters unaffected by
the waves of the weekend.
We found the lee side absent of wind, though a good 1 to 2 foot
windchop was rolling through from some unseen wind to our north.
Still the conditions were safe and the water looked nice so we
decided upon Window Pane as our second dive site. Garibaldi
staked out their territories on the reef and gorgonians hung off
the wall reaching their wispy branches out into the current for
tiny plankton niblets. We stayed for one more dive after lunch
to experience the huge baitballs that had moved into the area.
Stretching from the surface to 70 feet and below, blotting out
the sunlight, sardines, jack mackerel and pacific mackerel
streamed from the hungry mouths of sea lions, Pacific barracuda,
and birds above. Quite a sight!
We moved over to Calico Cliffs in the late afternoon for one
more foray into the deep as the sun slipped behind the island. A
large yellowtail and a soupfin shark were some of the cooler
denizens of that dive. The wind chop had increased from 2 to 3
feet and started to provide an uncomfortable rolling motion to
the mothership, so we moved down the island a bit to 4 Caves for
the night dive.
Molting lobster (Molting is the curious event that a lobster
goes through in the course of growing larger), bat rays, horn
sharks and scorpionfish greeted our divers on the bottom. These
nocturnal residents that are at times difficult to find during
the day, have no problem moving into the open at night in search
of a meal.
As I write we are now churning our way up the lee side of
Clemente, looking to see what the weather brings us around the
west end corner. The forecast shows that San Nicholas Island is
an unlikely destination, however, we're headed that direction,
so we'll see what it looks like and turn toward Santa Barbara
Island if Mother Nature dictates us to do so.
Until tomorrow,
Captain Chris
August 27, 2006, San Clemente
Island, Day 1 of 4
We were blessed once again with a gorgeous day here at San
Clemente Island. The sun came up over Pyramid Head a brilliant
orange orb which is always a gorgeous site to see!
We peeked our noses around to the leeward side, but it was
already white-capping around the point. So, with better judgment
in mind we left the 'not-so-lee-side' and dropped our hooks at
Inside Boiler.
Visibility ranged from 20 to 35 feet, with a temperature on the
surface of 68 degrees. The topography and vibrant marine life
were a hit so we stayed for a second dive and then swung around
to Twin Peaks after lunch.
The cracks, crevices and caves were full of lobster. Nudibranchs
clung to the craggy reef as the south swell still surged through
this end of the island. In the late afternoon we set-up at China
Hat and made a crepuscular (Gotta like that word!) and night
dive there. Lobsters were everywhere, while the blacksmith did
their best to hid from nocturnal predators under the rocks. A
giant black sea hare or two were seen as well! It was crazy down
there!
Looking at weather conditions, with strong winds and seas
forecast for the waters around San Nick, we decided to stay for
another day here at Clemente. We look forward to more excellent
dives tomorrow.
hasta luego,
Captain Chris
August 26, 2006, San Clemente
Island, Day 3 of 3 with San Diego Dive Club
After a bit of a rough day yesterday it was a pleasure to see
the sun raise its bright face over the glassy waters of Pyramid
Cove.
Conditions there were good topside, however the solid south
swell was unloading across the reefs and beaches, making the
north facing leeward side of the island an easy choice. Our
first dive found us at Window Pinnacle and the good visibility
(50 to 60 ft), warm water (69 degrees), and multitude of sea
life kept us for another dive.
The clouds cleared away the sun came out in earnest, and the
mild breeze kept us at just the right temperature on deck. Below
the surface our divers explored the rocky reefs of Calico Cliffs
and all came back with smiles, except for the fact we had to
weigh our anchors and turn tail for San Diego. Fortunately,
we're right back out tomorrow on a 4-day trip!
ciao,
Captain Chris
August 25, 2006, San Nicholas
Island and Catalina Island,
Day 2 of 3 with San Diego Dive Club
Well, the relatively calm conditions we enjoyed at Santa
Barbara, GONE... KAPUT...ADIOS...
When I turned my head sideways to the wind, the whistling that
went through my ears was deafening! If we'd been on a kite
boarding trip, today would have been epic!
The water temperature had dropped a few degrees at 62 and so had
the visibility. The wind came howling around both sides of the
island not long after breakfast. We dove the southeast Pier for
our first stop, then moved a bit west for our second dive.
The visibility at Spin Cycle was better then the first dive,
reaching 20 feet in some places and the invertebrate and fish
covered boulders, ledges and cracks were beautiful! However, the
heavy surge made it difficult to enjoy the sights for very long,
so after lunch we powered to Catalina for a beautiful night dive
in 72 degree water.
After San Nick's chilly waters it seemed like hopping into a
jacuzzi, and the reef around Bird Rock was absolutely crawling
with lobsters. I think the first words out of everyone's mouth
when the regulator came out was "Lobster!" Some hunting
barracuda, the skittish blacksmith and ever present flying fish
were seen on the surface.
Once again we're on the move, we had the good news that San
Clemente Island would be open for diving tomorrow, so we'll be
there first thing in the morning!
hasta entonces,
Captain Chris
August 24, 2006, Santa
Barbara Island,
Day 1 of 3 with San Diego Dive Club
Well, we apologize for the lack of logs these past few weeks.
The problem is fixed, though and we're back online...
In the meantime we had a couple of good days at Islas San
Benito, then returned for some gorgeous diving at San Clemente
Island. Right now we're rocking at anchor off Santa Barbara
Island.
We began our day at the Arch, a beautiful site that is difficult
to reach because of weather, but the swell and current were down
enough for a go at it this morning. The different species of
algae and gorgonian that hang from the walls of the Arch added
beauty to the scenery on this mornings dive. The swimthrough,
the size of a one car garage, is a life magnet, and coupled with
and and adjacent 80 foot wall, is one of Santa Barbara's most
spectacular dives! With vis on the outer wall reaching up to 50
feet the morning dive was awesome! Unfortunately, the surge and
current picked up during the dive, so we moved closer to the big
island for our second dive.
At Webster's Point the vis was good for the area at 20 to 30
feet and the usually playful sea lions were napping on the
beach. Bat rays covered the dark sand channels and brown sea
hares meandered through the convoluted reef and sand structure.
On one of the more lushly covered boulders a line of purple sea
urchins nearly 4 deep marched, advancing on the algae.
In the afternoon we dove Sutil Island and Arch Point where we
found big lobster peering out from their lairs, octopus, spanish
shawls and other nudibranchs. In the late afternoon at Arch the
bat rays left the sand to school and mate off the outside of the
point. A large sheep crab lumbered along the sand over the
strawberry anemones on the scattered rocks and even over a
camouflaged angel shark. A large giant black sea bass patrolled
the outside of the sand.
During the night dive our gung-ho pair of night divers chased
baby octopus, happen upon angel sharks hiding in the sand all
the while sea lions chased flying fish on the surface in hopes
of catching one of these tasty treats!
Later on tonight we'll make the 25 mile trek to San Nicolas
Island the 'island of the blue dolphins'.
hasta luego,
Captain Chris
August 15, 2006, Islas San
Benito, Day 5 of 8 with Marin Dive Center
Freediving Expedition
Today was a good day! We looked at the Alley and once again the
pumping windswell kept us from the holy grail of San Benito.
However, Bahia Perico was protected enough to allow us to sneak
in for a morning of fantastic diving along it's outer kelp
forest and deep ridges.
The current streamed from the North, laying the kelp flat on the
bottom. Birds dropped on bait on the outside of the current
swirls as the skiff dropped us into the indigo water. Mackerel
darted in erratic patterns, gulping plankton and veering from
yellows below while trying not to land in the beaks of the gulls
above.
I kicked over to the series of ledges in front of the boat, the
palm kelp clearly swaying 50 to 70 feet below. Breath in, out in
again and drop below the waves, below the bait and a yellow
shouldered its way up to me, the white chin visible against the
blue backdrop. I paralleled its course and it turned sideways in
the last fifteen feet from me--dinner!
Our spearos had a productive morning and we moved the boat only
a short distance for our afternoon dive site. After lunch and
perhaps a short siesta, the divers were back in the crystal
clear 68 degree water. The water was that blue that just makes
you want to get in. It was so warm a dorado was spotted on the
outside edge. Hundreds of bat rays lay on the bottom at 80 to
100 feet in the sand. The yellows showed in ever greater numbers
as the afternoon drew to a close, schools of 50 and more
converging in the current and baitfish.
Congratulations to Peter Gladdish on his first, second and third
yellowtail and Jon Perrin on his first! Though we didn't make it
to Yellowtail Alley today, it seems the alley came to us...We
hope for more good luck tomorrow.
Ciao,
Captain Chris
August 14, 2006, Islas San
Benito, Day 4 of 8 with Marin Dive Center
Freediving Expedition
This morning we took a look at Yellowtail Alley (East Island),
hoping to find the good conditions that were lacking here all
last week, but were disappointed at what we found. A mean wind
chop kept us from diving there, however around the corner in
Bahia Perico (parrot's bay) we found some shelter from the swell
and a strong current.
The visibility was gorgeous, in the 70 foot range and the
yellowtail plentiful. Our spearos pulled in their best catch yet
, though some had to work for it when the sea lions decided that
they liked what was on the skewer.
In the afternoon we moseyed around the corner to find some
respite from the hungry pinnepeds and had an enjoyable afternoon
of diving at Tailgate Rock. The temp there was a degree less at
65.5, but visibility was still excellent. The outer reefs were
clear against the 70-90 foot sandy bottom. The blacksmith and
mackerel seemed to hang in mid-water suspended on strings! A few
nice fish were captured and once again it was story time over
drinks and dinner...
We'll keep our fingers crossed for smoother waters tomorrow!
Adios,
Captain Chris
August 13, 2006, Islas San
Benito, Day 3 of 8 with Marin Dive Center
Freediving Expedition
We dropped our skiffs in the water as the sun turned the east a
lighter grey and we dropped anchor at our first site as our
divers were finishing up a tasty breakfast buffet. The sun shone
down to the clearly visible amber kelp fronds and after a dive
safety brief the divers piled into the water and zipped off in
our skiffs.
A few big yellows were seen and missed and a nice one landed by
John M. Morozumi, however the current dropped off and with it
the visibility, so we pulled our anchor at lunch and dropped
markers on the pinnacles for the afternoon.
First the current ripped from the west, then the east, and it
seemed to drive the fish out of the area until late in the
evening when some sizeable slugs shouldered their way through
the blacksmith and mackerel. The visibility ranged from 20 to 30
feet in the 64 degree water.
After a breathtaking sunset off the western island we settled
into our anchorage for the night. Over dinner our spearos
swapped stories of the big ones that stayed just out of range
and we look forward to more hunting tomorrow...
until then,
Captain Chris
August 12, 2006, En route to
Islas San Benito, Day 2 of 8 with Marin Dive Center
Freediving Expedition
Our first day dawned cloudy with a mild northwest breeze
ruffling the water. We began trolling as the water turned that
dark steel grey to a dark metallic blue. It was beautiful and
tempting, but today was for fishing.
Fishing was a bit slow today, good for the fish and bad for us!
But that's why it's called fishing and not catching.
Congratulations still go to Craig Dockendorf for his first nice
dorado and Sue Strek for her first yellowfin tuna. May they
catch many more.
As I write we're churning our way to the islands. We'll be there
early for the start of another fantastic San Benito adventure!
hasta manana,
Captain Chris
August 9 & 10, 2006 San Benito
Islands,
Days 7 and 8 of 8 with Bodega Bay Pro Dive, Freediving
Expedition
Before the sun had cleared the horizon in the early pre-dawn
grayness we were churning along towards Yellowtail Alley. We
took a good hard look at the conditions, but after rolling
around in the windswell, we turned back into the lee of the
islands and dropped our marks on the pinnacles.
The guys dove hard for several hours and a few fish were seen,
but not in huge numbers. The visibility was down from the days
before at 40 to 50 feet, as was the temperature, at 64 degrees.
Still conditions were very good. Rivers of bait split and
swirled around the shallow structure.
Then the hour for departure came and we packed up our skiffs ,
pulled our anchor and after a delicious seafood cioppino for
lunch, were on our way for the 28 hour trek back to San Diego.
Blue whales, mola molas, and blue sharks escorted us on the way
back and though the ocean conditions were a bit turbulent during
the first ten hours of travel, the last 16 have been quite
pleasant. We should be in around 4:00pm today.
Tomorrow we're off again for another San Benito adventure...
Until then,
Captain Chris
August 8, 2006 San Benito
Islands, Day 6 of 8 with Bodega Bay Pro Dive
Freediving Expedition
After an initial grey and overcast morning, the wind settled
down and the sky cleared. After the last few days of wind and
swell it was a relief to watch the ocean settle a bit.
We started off at Birthday Cove, on the south side of the west
island. The water was beautiful, visibility was 60 to 70 feet or
more on the outside of the kelp, though hazy on the inside. It
looked like good white seabass water, but none were seen. The
water temperature had dropped to 64 degrees on the surface.
I jumped in for a quick dive and the amber fronds of kelp
stretched clearly down to the sand below that looked a light
shade of blue in the distance. Yellowtail in ones and twos
shouldered by on the outside edge of the shimmering baitfish.
Things were still a little slow so we moved on to Tailgate Rock
on the east islands west side.
The water on the outside of the rock was crystal clear at 70
feet or so, and the schools of yellowtail finned through by the
hundreds. Several white seabass were seen moving up and down the
current on the outside, though none were landed.
Unfortunately this is our last night at the island so this
evening we turned off the deck lights to enjoy the moon and
stars. Nothing like stargazing with your spearfishing buddies!
Adios,
Captain Chris
August 7, 2006 San Benito
Islands, Day 5 of 8 with Bodega Bay Pro Dive
Freediving Expedition
Grey clouds covered the sky as the light grew in the east. We
warmed up our skiff motors and pulled anchor. The windswell that
rocked us throughout the night was still wrapping around the
islands and rolling across our lee anchorage.
Though we had hoped for it, the Yellowtail Alley was out of the
question, however conditions were still good at the pinnacles.
We dropped our markers, our anchor, and everyone was in the
water. The current was slightly up from the day before and the
fish were plentiful. School after school of yellowtail made
their way across the top of the pinnacles. It was a fine day of
yellowtail hunting!
Most spearos took a siesta after lunch. Kicking around in 66
degree water and fighting fish is hard work. Despite the south
swell, the water stayed relatively blue with vis in the 50 to 60
foot range. The pinnacles were absolutely breathtaking, palm
kelp swaying in the surge like little storm tossed trees and
down deeper the patches of purple hydrocoral glowing a light
indigo on the reefs.
We can't wait to get back in the water tomorrow!
Adios,
Captain Chris
August 6, 2006 San Benito
Islands, Day 4 of 8 with Bodega Bay Pro Dive
Freediving Expedition
Typically we sit snugly at anchor behind the middle island,
however last night we saw a little rock n' roll from the
windswell wrapping around the islands.
We looked for a good site to start in the morning and set our
pick inside the southwest corner of the island. A few large
yellows were seen and and several mid sized models were
captured, though not in the numbers we typically see here at San
Benito.
Water clarity is still fantastic with gorgeous visibility
continuing on the outside edge of the kelp. Even though the
south swell pounded the shoreline and stirred things up in the
kelp beds to a meager 15 feet of visibility, the current on the
outside seemed to sweep away all the silt, leaving 40 to 60 feet
of visibility.
At lunch we moved to the Lighthouse Pinnacles where vis was also
stellar, in fact it was so good, we could see the pinnacles at
the surface nearly 200 feet away. Although the current was
slack, the fish were present in good numbers with the spearos
having good luck this afternoon. Congrats to Brett for his first
yellowtail...A few very large fish were seen, and there was a
reason for their size--the stayed away from us.
Looking forward to calmer seas tomorrow,
Captain Chris
August 5, 2006 Islas San
Benito, Day 3 of 8 with Bodega Bay Pro Dive
Freediving Expedition
We surged through the Canal de Peck as the sky first turned grey
at dawn. A solid southwest swell rolled up against the East
Island. The word from the locals was that the blue water and
yellows were off the East side of the east island, so we dropped
our skiffs, set up in Jack's Bay and began our hunt.
Some smaller yellowtail were seen and a few larger home guard
yellowtail stayed out of range, but the water was blue with
visibility in the 70 foot range. At lunch we moved to Tailgate
rock where the current was smoking on the outside in blue water
and the swell had the inner kelp beds a little hazy. Our spearos
captured a few nice yellowtail--with a personal best for Eric
Saabe. Nice work Eric. We stayed the rest of the afternoon and I
jumped in for a bit. The visibility was gorgeous. Rarely do you
see the bottom here, and it was breathtaking! The amber
stringers of kelp leaning down in the current, the reef and palm
kelp clear below at 60 feet and more, swaying in the surge. I
drifted the outside and saw a few nice yellows in the distance,
but they didn't want to play, so I worked the kelp patches for
big croakers (white seabass), and though I heard a few grunting
in the distance, none came in.
We hope for a little less wind tomorrow so we can work some of
the outer spots tomorrow...
Until Then,
Captain Chris
August 4, 2006 Enroute to
Islas San Benito, Day 2 of 8 with Bodega Bay Pro Dive
Freediving Expedition
The sun's rays spilled over onto the glassy blue waters through
the low clouds only an hour after we had slowed to trolling
speed. The ocean was a deep indigo and a tempting 72 degrees on
the surface.
Fishing began slowly, picking a few yellowtail, dorado, and
yellowfin tuna off kelp paddies and jig strikes, then things
warmed up. The nicest looking kelp yet produced a hot dorado
bite and they were leaping left and right. After boating a
number of the brilliantly colored golden-blue fish, we saw some
yellowfin crashing on the surface. We tracked them down and it
was wide open tuna fishing for a few minutes. We chased the
school a little more, then hit a couple more yellowtail and
dorado paddies before having to turn and burn for San Benito in
the late afternoon.
Thanks to generous donations to the galley, and some fine work
by Brian Ishida and John Park, the first course was sashimi,
poke, and sushi followed by our Chef Cory's delicious main
course of tenderloin, and garlic mashed potatoes.
As I write we are now 100 miles north of the Islands. We'll
arrive at dawn tomorrow. May the fish gods smile upon us!
Adios,
Captain Chris
August 1, 2006 Coronado
Islands, Day 2 of 2 with SeaCamp
Blue waters greeted us under a grey dawn at the Coronado Islands
this morning just 13 miles south of San Diego. We started off at
Lobster Shack, ironically, where sea lions, sea urchins and bat
stars are common, but not lobster. Go figure! Water clarity was
excellent--you could see the wreck at 60 feet as clear as day
and the water temperature was a balmy 72 degrees!
We mosied over to Three Fingers Reef for the afternoon where
more sea lions and beautiful visibility met us. After a
beautiful day of diving and snorkeling we're now on our way
home. Just a few minutes ago we happened upon a pod of Risso
dolphins that were in the mood for a little interaction! So
close to civilization, yet such another world out here on the
big blue.
We'll be in port for two days before we depart for two back to
back 7 day Islas San Benito adventures. Although the diving is
gorgeous in California, we can't wait to jump into the pristine
waters south of the border. Stay tuned for more exciting
adventures from our ocean oasis!
until then,
Captain Chris
