Lobster Hunting - Southern California Style

 There are several items one will need before entering the water to begin Lobster Hunting.  Primary and backup lights, a Lobster Gauge – 3 ¼”, a game bag – there are several varieties on the market. The most important item is your fishing license with the salt water enhancement stamp and your lobster Report Card.

 Once you have obtained these key items you will wait until Lobster season opens, this year it begins at 12:00:01am on September 29, 2012. Scuba Divers, Freedivers and Hoop Netters will have come up with their game plan for each of their dives. Most of these divers have their own secret spots and techniques to bagging their limit. The most controversial question about lobster season is how many lobsters can I have in my possession? According to the Department of Fish and Game website here is how they have answered this question;

“According to Section 29.90(b) T14, CCR, the daily recreational bag limit is seven lobsters per person. Additionally, Section 1.17 states that no more than one daily bag limit may be taken or possessed by any one person unless otherwise authorized (see Declaration for Multi-Day Fishing Trip, Section 27.15 T14, CCR), regardless of whether they are fresh, frozen or otherwise preserved. This means that if you have a limit of seven lobsters at home, you cannot go out and get more lobsters until the first limit is disposed of in some way (eaten, given away, etc).”

Most Lobster hunters prefer to go out at night as Lobsters tend to come out more at night to do their own hunting. However, you decide to hunt I am always asked, “How does one go about catching lobsters?” In California it is by hand or by hoop net. On one hand many scuba divers feel that it is un-sporting to use a hoop net to catch your lobsters.  On the other, many Freedivers feel that if you are catching lobsters on Scuba or using a hoop net you are being un-sportsman.  So the age old argument continues ...

 

Opening night is one of the most exciting nights of the year for all of these hunters. In the South Bay, Dive N’ Surf has held its annual Lobster Mobster for the past 35 years and this year being the 36^th Annual Lobster Mobster will prove to be as exciting. The shop stays open from 9am on September 28 and doesn’t close until 7pm on September 29, 2012. 

 During the Lobster Mobster, anyone with a legal sized lobster and that has signed up for the contest will receive a free t-shirt and be entered to win one of three prizes. The contest begins when lobster season begins and ends at 9am on September 29, 2012. 

 To find answers to your questions regarding rules for Lobster Hunting in California, Please visit: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/faq.asp

Yap – A step back in time

Leaving Palau and onward to Yap and a step back in time to a simpler life.  The first day in Yap is a rest day to get laundry and gear prepped for another amazing week of diving. The big draw in Yap is the Manta Rays.

The first day of diving was kind of a letdown. We only saw one Manta after two dives. Hoping that the next day would be better, we took a smaller boat to Mil Channel, another coral head that is known to the Yapese for attracting the Manta’s. The first dive we saw several Mantas. All of the divers were in awe throughout the dive.  As we ended the dive everyone could not stop discussing the several mantas they were able to photograph. The dive guide asked us if we wanted to stay or try a dive site where we might see some sharks.  It was unanimous; we would dive with the sharks to have the best two dives so far in Yap.

The week in Yap was incredible. Besides the diving and seeing Mantas and Sharks on most of the dives we were fortunate to visit Kadai village.  A bus took us from the hotel to the rural looking path. The path was hand laid stones covered in moss and looked to have been in existence since the dawn of time. Two members of the Kadai Village greet us, a young man and a young woman.  Dressed in the traditional Yapese attire they are both wearing grass skirts and Lai’s. Some of the women also cover their bodies in turmeric and coconut oil. This gives the skin a golden shimmer as the sun hits their skin.  Once at the village we were all given Lai’s to wear and offered fresh coconut milk to drink. The one thing that is very noticeable at the entrance of the village is the stone money.  It was interesting to hear how the Yapese would travel by outrigger canoes to Palau and quarry the stones and then bring back to Yap.  The value of the money was not determined by the size necessarily, but by how many people died bringing the stone back to Yap.

The final dive day of the week was back to Mil Channel and Vertigo.  We again were entertained by several Mantas on our first dive. Vertigo sits on the edge of a wall were black tip and grey sharks are known to roam.  The crew bates a small mesh cage with frozen fish and drops it over the boat.  As you begin descending you are surrounded by sharks as well as other reef fish.  You slowly get closer and closer to the cage.  As you focus your camera for a shot of one shark another shark bumps into you.  The final dive of the week as I look back seems so surreal. 

Palau

If you are a diver and have read reviews and articles of the top ten places to dive then Palau has been on the list. These groups of islands are part of Micronesia. Traveling to Palau from Los Angeles is quite an endeavor.  Fly from L.A. to Honolulu to Guam then just a few hours south to arrive in Palau. This is just under a day’s travel.  At this point you are exhausted and only want to sleep in a bed rather than a seat on an airplane.  As sleep begins to overtake your body, the mind races and wonders if the trip was worth it.  The answer is YES!

Arising the next morning, grab your gear, have a quick bite to eat and wait on the dock of the hotel for the boat to pick you up.  After situating the dive gear you are off to the first dive site. As the boat races to the site across the water you begin to feel thirsty. The water is clean and clear and so inviting, one is tempted to jump over the boat and begin diving.

 

The dive sites for the day are “Saies Tunnel” and “Ulong Channel.” The warmth of the water overcomes you as you slowly descend, taking in the colors of the fish and the clarity of the water.  Swim through the tunnel and come out the other side, mesmerized by the visibility of the water - at 97fsw the surface appears as though it was mere inches away.

During a surface interval while eating lunch on a picturesque white sand beach, the group discusses the marine life, and searches for the black banded sea snake the nests in the rocks while waiting for the next dive. 

Ulong Channel is akin to a roller coaster ride depending on the tide. This dive can begin at two different points, either at “Blue Holes” or “Blue Corner.” These two sites are close enough to let the current carry you through the 87 degree water from one site to the next. Entering the mouth of the channel the current is ripping and, metaphorically one holds onto their pants and enjoys the ride. Using fins to guide you through the water you will pass over coral reefs with different colors of anemone bowls with a variety of clown fish in each bowl. Spotting turtles, sharks, barracuda and more fish than you can believe.  It is an overload of ocean eye candy.

 

The entire week is phenomenal, full of wonderful experiences from learning the history of Peleliu to swimming with the jellyfish at “Jellyfish Lake”, seeing the Nautiluses on the reef that live in 1000fsw, and brought to the surface for the divers to view. As the week comes to a close, you bid farewell to Palau. The next stop is Yap!

Diving Catalina Island - Casino Point

So you want to go diving but you don’t want to dive off a crowded boat over a weekend or fight the surf zone on a beach dive. You ask yourself “where should I dive?”  The answer is clear, go to Catalina Island on the Express. The cost is $71.50, and it takes you just over an hour. Check online to find departures that will fit your schedule. Parking at the terminal is around $15.

Once you get to the island let the baggage handlers take your gear straight to the Dive Park for you, and the cost is about $10 including tip. If you are traveling light there are three dive operations to get you going with gear.  As you walk into town the first you’ll come to is Moore Diving.  It is a little shop with a knowledgeable owner.  To get to the second operation take a right onto the Green Pier.  Located towards the end of the pier you will find Catalina Divers Supply (CDS).  To your left, away from the Green Pier, is the third operation, Scuba Luv.  You can also head straight towards the Casino and the Underwater Dive Park and get rentals from the air fill station, which is operated by CDS.

The Dive Park offers World Class diving down just a few steps into tranquil forests of kelp.  You can find everything from wrecks to reefs and a variety of fish. The depths of your dive can vary from shallow to just over 100fsw. If you are not familiar with the Dive Park then hire a dive guide who will give you an expert tour of the park. Don’t forget to tip your dive guide! A typical tip is usually $20, but if your guide gets you a glance of the Cousteau Monument, “Oscar” the famous park sheephead, or even the occasional Giant Black Sea Bass then by all means, show your appreciation with a little bit more. 

 

When you have finished your dives you will probably realize that you have worked up an appetite. There are several restaurants back in town. Two of my favorite spots are El Galleon, especially if you have the voice for karaoke, or Luau Larry’s.  Luau Larry’s has great burgers and, if island rumors are to be believed, some excellent beverages to get you ready for your trip back to the Mainland.