Trip Report Newport with KC

[North Star]

KC (Mepps1) and I went out of Newport today to see if we could find some vis and fish before he headed back to Wyoming. The vis was horrible due to the summer algae bloom; the first spot we went to was like green chocolate milk; we didn't even get into the water.

The second spot had no more than 3 feet of vis in the best spots, other wise it was about 2 feet. There was a really strong current traveling north at about 4 mph.

But we went anyway, and managed to each get a limit of rockfish by shooting at shadows and at fish that appeared in front of our spears. Some of the blacks were really nice sized. I saw 3 really nice cabezon, but they are closed now, and we saw some short lings, but no shooter size.

The water was oily smooth and we were able to travel the five miles to the dive site at 30 mph. Amazing. Lots of jelly fish to contend with; I think KC got stung once on the face. I got into one once but escaped unscathed. Thank the Lord for a protective wet suit.

Smooth, but VERY green water:



Lots of jelly fish:



KC's fish:






My fish:

[Devildiver]

Thanks for the report, Max. Looks like a great quality catch with some nice big rocks.

A few weeks ago at Cape Lookout I got into the jellies as well but fortunately didn't get stung.

Casey

[LittleGoat]

Sheesh, those are some monster greenlings. Way to knock 'em dead!

[NWh2oman]

Thanks for the report Max! were you on scuba or freediving? That jellyfish is beautiful!

[North Star]

On scuba, of course. Freediving those vis conditions, in that current, at that depth, on that pinnacle, was entirely out of the question. By scuba diving, we went home with fish, if we were freediving, we would have had to go home with nothing.

The current was so bad we had to use a drift line to even get back to the boat. Otherwise we could not have made it back at all. When you are a mile offshore, you don't want to fail to get back to the boat.

I love to freedive, but sometimes scuba is the only way you can dive in the PNW given the kind of conditions we have at certain times and locations.

The jelly fish are beautiful. I love to watch them. So delicate.

[mepps1]

Originally Posted by North Star

The jelly fish are beautiful. I love to watch them. So delicate.

You are a nut. I like to watch them go away.

I jumped in at Garibaldi today, and their was quite a few even there.

[mepps1]

Kathy (Max's better half) got to save my life yesterday when she let the throwable out to me. I went to make the second drop and missed the pinnacle. After burning up way too much air trying to sprint upstream, I popped up 100 yards from the boat. Started hauling upstream at about as fast a pace as I could manage. I was gaining ground, but I doubt I could have kept on long enough to make the boat. Even making the float was a fair bit of work.

I'm confident I could have made land going the other way, but I don't think that would have been much fun. I guess I could have ditched my BC and made it back that way, too. But that would have put a real damper on the diving.

Current- check. Horrible viz- check. 46 degrees frigid water- check. Hordes of big, nasty jellys- check. Entanglement in a ball of braided line and kelp- check. Coming up covered in tentacles and braid- check. Swimming like mad to avoid drifting in the Pacific- check. I'd say it was a pretty great day, all in all. Oh, and the zipper blew out on my wetsuit. Luckily, I had my freediving suit in the car.

I did see a monster ling, but I blew him out of his bed and he didn't want to stay and talk.

I did have a great time, and it was great to see you guys again. Thanks!

[North Star]

Anybody that lives in Wyoming needs his head examined. That is all together too far away from the ocean for any sane person to live. As for the conditions Tuesday, well hey, we got fish, right? Case closed. We had a great day! Come back soon! Enjoyed diving with you!

[LittleGoat]

Originally Posted by North Star

The jelly fish are beautiful. I love to watch them. So delicate.

I agree 100%. I was really bummed out when the jelly exhibit left the aquarium in Newport.

[orspearo666]

nice bag of fish you guys! sorry to hear about the green water/ monster currents.

[steepNdeep]

Looks like some good days on the water! Those are some slab blacks. Beats divin' in a mud puddle...