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California Spearfishing Talk here about spearfishing on California's Pacific Coast, and post those reports and photos!

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Old 08-26-2010, 08:41 PM   #1
RigPig
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Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

I am trying to get into spearfishing and recently moved from SD to the bay area. I have been reading the forums and have picked up that Sonoma coast would be a good place to check out.

Since I am not familiar with the area I was hoping to see if someone would be willing to share some advice as to what conditions indicate decent diving so I avoid a 2+ hour drive to find that the conditions are bad.

Thanks!
-Jeff
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Old 08-26-2010, 08:58 PM   #2
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

Check the surf sites for the swell forecast and also the wind.
The wind can howl there for weeks at a time, but it's usually less in the morning.
Even when it looks crappy, there are usually plenty of little coves where you can tuck in safely and grab a limit.

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Old 08-26-2010, 09:21 PM   #3
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

Quote:
Originally Posted by RigPig View Post
I am trying to get into spearfishing and recently moved from SD to the bay area. I have been reading the forums and have picked up that Sonoma coast would be a good place to check out.

Since I am not familiar with the area I was hoping to see if someone would be willing to share some advice as to what conditions indicate decent diving so I avoid a 2+ hour drive to find that the conditions are bad.

Thanks!
-Jeff
just go, there is always someplace to dive . you are going to have to get used to the fact that the norm is 4' to 10' vis and 15' and up is epic
phil
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Old 08-26-2010, 10:51 PM   #4
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

Awesome, thanks for the tips guys!
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Old 08-26-2010, 11:18 PM   #5
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

The ocean here is nothing like San Diego brother. What you call black water we call good viz. I don't know your experience level but my suggestion is hooking up with someone your first few times out. Couldn't hurt, and you get to benefit from lessons already learned. shoot me a pm if you want to hook up.
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Old 08-27-2010, 11:43 AM   #6
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

Benicia huh? Grew up there and spend a fair amount of time there still. Every once in a while i even swim out there in the delta.

Sonoma is your best bet. I like to look at wetsand.com for the swell, generally if it is some shade of blue you're ok to dive. Also a good bet is to get in touch with Bodega Bay Prodive shop right there on the coast. You can call in there to get advice and stopping by they can point you in the right direction and check your gear.
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Old 08-27-2010, 03:27 PM   #7
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

You can check here for a swell forecast: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/eka/marine/
Here for a buoy reading: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=46013
Here for a lifeguard update on diving conditions and visibility (but it hasn't been working for a month): http://saltpointoceanconditions.com/
Here for a Google earth layer of the new MPAs: http://www.freediveshop.com/index.ph...4df3de90e2e3d8

Ocean Cove, Timber Cove, and Still Water cove are good places to go if it is windy and there is a NW swell. Most other places good on calm days.

If you want to AB dive read the rules on the Ab card and follow them to the letter. DFG and parks take the ab diving rules very seriously and have been known to write some BS tickets.
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Old 08-27-2010, 04:47 PM   #8
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

also check out these web site for conditions
web cam agate cove mendo
http://www.agatecove.com/webcam.html
caspar web cam
http://www.casparbeachrvpark.com/webcam
bodega bay web cam
http://www.bml.ucdavis.edu/facility/webcam.html
this is the noaa bouy I use for pt arena
http://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.ph...540&syn=pzz500

hope these help.
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Old 08-27-2010, 05:13 PM   #9
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

Stillwater cove campsite is a great camp for a weekend camp out and supposidly they have the only coin operated hot showers around. A hot shower to don a cold wetsuit in freesing air temps is just nice! its a decent place to learn, My first ab dive was in stillwater. I would definately try and get a experienced buddy to go with you on the first couple dives.
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Old 08-27-2010, 05:26 PM   #10
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

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Stillwater cove campsite is a great camp for a weekend camp out and supposidly they have the only coin operated hot showers around. A hot shower to don a cold wetsuit in freesing air temps is just nice! its a decent place to learn, My first ab dive was in stillwater. I would definately try and get a experienced buddy to go with you on the first couple dives.

Ocean cove which is right up the road about a mile has coin operated showers as well and is a good campgrounds as well firts come first serve, and has a boat launch to and general store.
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Old 08-27-2010, 10:38 PM   #11
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

Thanks again to everyone for the help, I appreciate you all taking time to get me pointed in the right direction I hope to see some of you guys out there!
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Old 08-28-2010, 12:03 AM   #12
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

Hey RigPig, do you surf too? I lived in Benicia for 8 years and the guy I surf with still lives there. We surf 2 or 3 days a week in Pacifica. Let me know if you want to hook up sometime, we typically get big surf year round up here. A lot of guys shortboard, but it's mostly longboarding as it can get competitive in the lineup.


..
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Old 08-28-2010, 02:08 AM   #13
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

I'm trying to head out in Carmel on Sunday in the AM if you're interested. Report looks moderate but I know some fishy spots if you'd like to check it out.

Contact info below
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Old 08-28-2010, 11:11 AM   #14
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

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Originally Posted by MarineMammal View Post
I'm trying to head out in Carmel on Sunday in the AM if you're interested. Report looks moderate but I know some fishy spots if you'd like to check it out.

Contact info below
Thanks for the invite, I am actually headed up to tahoe this weekend! I will you a shout next time I get back and hopefully we can meet up then!
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Old 08-28-2010, 11:13 AM   #15
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Re: Spearfishing Sonoma Coast

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Originally Posted by White Shark View Post
Hey RigPig, do you surf too? I lived in Benicia for 8 years and the guy I surf with still lives there. We surf 2 or 3 days a week in Pacifica. Let me know if you want to hook up sometime, we typically get big surf year round up here. A lot of guys shortboard, but it's mostly longboarding as it can get competitive in the lineup.


..
Yeah I sure do, just went out on thursday, fun but a little sloppy. If you go some time this upcoming week give me a shout!
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