Manomet Point 12-04

[clavinr]

Went for a dive on Saturaday morning. I was in a dry suit, my buddy a wet suit. Air temp 45, water temp 46. Visiblity was not that great because of the storm last week. Saw a nice sized keeper way down in a hole, no chance at him. Nice dive.

[Tooth]

you think its too cold for a 7 mil suit??

[Defofthecrown]

Nice size lobster? I dive alot in the midatlantic states and always wonder whats going on under the water this time of year. Are there any fish? I know the stripers have gone south to MD and VA and the 'togs probably out to deeper water. Are the flounder still in shore and how about the little cunners that are everywhere in the spring summer and fall?

[clavinr]

You could do a 7 mm suit, no problem. Just a couple of suggestions:

1. Use duct tape to close off the ankles, wrists, zippers...

2. Pour a thremos of warm water warm water in your suit, then finish taping it off.

3. Try not to move you head alot. Every time you do, you move water down your neck.

4. As soon as you get out of the water, towel off and put dry clothes and a watch cap on.

5. Stick your thumb....to restore our hardware to it's original configuration (figure the rest out. ;))

It is well worth the effort. I have had people tell me that seals may swim by. (I haven't been so lucky, and for many reasons don't recommend approaching them.)

Just a word of caution, if you are prone to cramps or cold feet/circulation problems, plan a shorter dive. Just like any new environment, take it slow at first, conditioning is everthing. I do this for fun, if you get to cold or it's not fun anymore, head in.

If you haven't been in, the visibility is unbelievable. The stripers and taugs have pretty much moved on, you may see some lobster and cunners in the rocks. If you are lucky you may see a cod or flatfish. I know alot of guys that get a bag of scallops and other goodies like crabs. (Check shellfish regs.)

I always stay shallow in the winter, 15-20 feet, right from the beach.

[Defofthecrown]

I dive 7 mil every other weekend now. I relocated out west with 50 degree water year round. Also did a freshwater dive that had to be mid to lower forties..brrr. The reason I never did winter diving in Deleware is because I had to kayak a mile or so out to the Lewes Deleware breakwater. I was a little apprehensive to do this with a wet suit on and 40 degree air temp. Do you need an area where your car is 100 yards away at most, or does the wetsuit still keep you warm when it starts to freeze?

[Tooth]

Yeah im in CT and id have to take my skiff out to a break water like 1 mile away.. so it would be a very cold ride back in!!

[clavinr]

Definately less than 100 yards...not a problem this time of year, neither is boat traffic.

I try to park as close as I can and dry off and change as soon as I can.

I don't like to dive with a dry suit, to me it's "kind of like taking a shower with your clothes on" (make your own inference) But, I find the major advantage to be that I am dry (sorta) when I get out of the water and into dry PJs.