couple of tasty treats and a report

[beaver]

January 5th, location waters off south east Vancouver Island (anything more specific you need to get me drunk).
Stumbled across these 2 beauties while out scouting spear locations for the ling cod opening when it comes. 8 and 9 lbs respectively. They fed 9 of us last night with plenty left over for crab tortellini tonight.

Encouraging report re numbers of ling cod and size as well as rockfish schools.
Saw close to 20 lings of size from 10 for 35 # and several large schools of sea bass and copper rock fish.

Red urchin is very tasty this time of year! Plenty of scallops deep 90-100 feet.

Weather unseasonable light winds, moderate 2-3 foot swell rolling in. Vis in the 40-60 range. Current yikes 11 knots at max ebb yesterday in some spots.
did 2 tanks on bubble and tried free diving but with the current around here it is a huge headache for boat the boat tender and lost divers could become very common considering conditions. Water temp a chill 46.

Any questions?

[bluewatermafia]

Any questions?

yeah.:confused:

1. what the heck are those things!?
2. They fed 9 people? you and 8 super models? what did you make soup? sushi?
3. What do they taste like?

46 degrees Fahrenheit! that is freakin cold!:eek:
i am glad i live in florida.

i asume you were diving in a dry suit. what is it like trying to freedive in those?

whatever they are, they look cool (i don't know about the size since i don't know what they are)!

congrats! you definitely worked for them. 46 degrees! brrrrrr!

[Skdiver]

Awesome crab!

I just moved out to the coast this fall and am dying to get out with the speargun. Perhaps we could meet up for a brew and some BS or go out for a dive, I am having a heck of a time finding much info out here or anyone else that spearfishes. Anyway I'll send you a pm with a few more details.

Here are a couple pix for you guys from spearfishing in Saskatchewan...

[beaver]

1. what the heck are those things!? Box crabs
2. They fed 9 people? you and 8 super models? what did you make soup? sushi? boiled for 15 minutes, shelled and eat, no need for butter or anything. the front pincers cough up 4-6 oz of meat each and full yeild was over 3 # of crab meat.
3. What do they taste like?
UnBelievable I throw rocks a lobster. Sweet meat that taste like the best lobster you ever imagine and then some.

46 degrees Fahrenheit! that is freakin cold!
i am glad i live in florida.

i asume you were diving in a dry suit. what is it like trying to freedive in those?
I dive wet year round, call me a purist, I have a custom Frank White cold water immersion suit

whatever they are, they look cool (i don't know about the size since i don't know what they are)!They are Puget sound King Crabs aka Box crabs. typical weights taht i see are all in the 6-11 # the record for them is aaround 21# I hear, They live in depths of 600-2000 Meters. divers see them up here in high current areas when they come to shed /moult or mate.

congrats! you definitely worked for them. 46 degrees! brrrrrr!

THANKS

[beaver]

Nice picks SK. My buddy who tends the boat most times is from Saskabush, I work out that way on occasion. Did you say beer, good plan. You will have a hard time getting info on spearing out here as those of us who do keep it a big secret!

Drop me a PM and maybe we can plan a dive. I try to go once a week unless i have been a bad boy.

[beaver]

An addition of value...
Especially to people who are going to be travelling great distances to get here. The Island is big...almost as long as Washington St. and Oregon St. stacked.
Read up on local rules and openings as seasonal closures vary greatly around the island. I.e. Lingcod’s are open year round in some places 6 months only in others as short as 4 months and some areas permanent closure. If you take an abalone be prepared to give up your boat and possibly your home.
RCA's are everywhere in all areas, they are small areas outlined on charts where the fishing of any rockfish is strictly prohibited and usually well monitored


I forgot, if you are planning a trip this way here is a link to all the areas openings and closures in an online guide. Because Vancouver Island has over 2100km of shoreline, and the seasonal openings vary from area to area you could make a long trip and be unable to pursue your chosen prize.

These rules exist for a good reason and I spearfish with conservation always in mind. I have all but quit hook and line due to by-catch.

Penalties are steep here and ignorance of the laws still remains a poor excuse (rightly so).



http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/SFG_e.htm

good luck
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[bluewatermafia]

thanks for the info. i always enjoy learning new stuff.