New Guy

[hawaiiskindiver]

i agree with steve that moss st has some good fish. last time i went there i pulled out a 10lbs sheepshead, and they was a whole school of em. also lots of 15-20 in sand bass which imo are pretty good eating too. the father you go out the bigger the fish get over there. we were pretty far maybe aobut 200 or more yards out and it was in about 40-45 ft of water. but the marine life out there was just beautiful.

[MUDSLNGR]

The one time I went in at Moss, I got out about 100-150 yds out, and I couldn't see the bottom, I dropped in but my breathe hold time isn't what yours is obviously, I had time for a quick look or 2 then back up. I noticed sparse pathes of rock and hardly any kelp. I did spend some time around the rocks at the south end, and got a few small rock fish (I think they were rock fish, 10-12" brown around the dorsal with silver spots) But the surge got pretty bad and the rocks became a little perilous. The swells were pretty gnarly too, I started to get naucious. I'm pretty at home in the water, but that made me nervous. More of a learning experience. Are the surge and swells there usually that bad, or was I just there on a shi**y day? Later that afternoon I went down to Goff and It was like a lake, but I thinks its always that way. thanks for all the advise, I'm taking notes.

-Ray

[hawaiiskindiver]

i think you just had some bad luck that day. the last time i was there it was sunny and the vis was a good 15ft+ or maybe i was just lucky .

[mnguy]

Originally Posted by MUDSLNGR

The one time I went in at Moss, I got out about 100-150 yds out, and I couldn't see the bottom, I dropped in but my breathe hold time isn't what yours is obviously, I had time for a quick look or 2 then back up. I noticed sparse pathes of rock and hardly any kelp. I did spend some time around the rocks at the south end, and got a few small rock fish (I think they were rock fish, 10-12" brown around the dorsal with silver spots) But the surge got pretty bad and the rocks became a little perilous. The swells were pretty gnarly too, I started to get naucious. I'm pretty at home in the water, but that made me nervous. More of a learning experience. Are the surge and swells there usually that bad, or was I just there on a shi**y day? Later that afternoon I went down to Goff and It was like a lake, but I thinks its always that way. thanks for all the advise, I'm taking notes.

-Ray

In my estimation, all the times I have been to Moss are either really epic or really crappy. When its epic the vis is like 15-20, waves are down, fish are everywhere, just awesome. When it sucks, the waves are rough, vis is less than 5, fish are nonexistent and the tide goes all the way out on me while I'm diving, so I get to crawl through all the nearshore structure on the way in. There's no happy medium, at least for me.

Goff can get like a washing machine when the swell comes in from the right direction. I was there once and all of the sudden the swell direction changed to the perfect angle for like 4 sets of brutality. I was literally diving to the bottom and gripping the reef for dear life trying not to get dragged off and slammed against the little point in the middle. When I would come up between sets I heard some people who were laying out on that little beach under the steps screaming because the waves got all the way to the steps and took them by surprise. I was hoping that one of them was tanning without her top tied on, but alas, it wasn't meant to be

[hawaiiskindiver]

ahaha good stuff mike. yeah with moss you just gotta get lucky and have a nice day and you'll be sure to get some nice fish

[MUDSLNGR]

Then I'll give it another shot, I've heard from more than one person that it's a good spot. I'll attribute my experience to bad luck. Also, what are the shells all over the beach from? Mussels? My buddy and I were debating on wether or not they were legal or good to eat. I said no, he said yes. anyone know?

[mnguy]

Originally Posted by MUDSLNGR

Then I'll give it another shot, I've heard from more than one person that it's a good spot. I'll attribute my experience to bad luck. Also, what are the shells all over the beach from? Mussels? My buddy and I were debating on wether or not they were legal or good to eat. I said no, he said yes. anyone know?

They are mussel shells, if you could harvest them they would be the same pacific blue mussels that you get at the market. Problem is, the only allowed harvest for invertibrates in most of laguna is lobster while the season is on. Everything else(mussels, scallops, urchins, octopus, etc) is illegal to take all year round.

[Killer&Griller]

If you can find the mussels out were you are diving, you now have a great chum for croaker and other fish. Just a thought. When I lived in Fl, I would carry a small, small hammer on my belt to break shellfish. It's alot easier than banging two shells together / crushing your own fingers in the meantime. You would be suprised what comes in.

[ckhb]

Sounds like all good tips, remember always carry a dive knife becuase you may never know when you will need it. I really like diving at Goff cove, have had a ton of good luck there but like someone said above, when the waves start kicking in then it becomes a washing machine. What I like there is the multiple reef systems and all the crevices around. You may also want to try woods cove. Woods it right next to moss street, like when you go down the moss street entrance, there is a little street to the right and just walk over there and there is a beach entrance to Woods Cove. Last time I was there there was some kelp building so it was something new. Anyway I may head out to either Cress street, Treasure, or moss, so if any of you are out there introduce yourselfs or whatever. Take advantage of this 20 ft viz for practice becuase it's some of the nice viz that I have seen in a little while. Safe Spearing

Chris

[MUDSLNGR]

I went to Goff in the morning for a few min, but I couldn't see anything. So I ended up at Woods in the Afternoon. I was gettin' skunked until I caught a huge greenish spotted back moving below a large crack in the rocks. I timed him, dropped in and posted my gun at the opening of the hole. I held a rock so as not to move, waited for him to appear in the opening again then WHACK!!! got him. It was amazing. I dragged to the surface what I think was a sand bass. about 18" long. he was delicious. We were ono our way back in when I spotted him and by the time I got him my dive buddy was already on the beach, so no pictures. Thanks for all the advise, I know it helped.