Leo Carillo/Matador report 1/11/09

[hackk]

Just got back from a beautiful dive, and came straight on here for the story.

3 words: GO DIVE NOW!

Vis at leo was 30+ most of the time, and the water surprisingly warm, and the air temp was equal to a day at the beach in July. No waves, minimal surge, and the bugs were there. Overall the most beautiful dive I've had there so far. I went scuba this time, I was diving with a old friend/new buddy, unfortunetly he wasnt a fish eater so I didnt want to take away from his dive so I just went with the flow, poked a few bugs, but stayed on his exploratory heels. Didnt get a chance to shoot anything, was only looking for halibut, and now regret that choice. After the first dive, we decided to check out El Matador beach, my first and LAST time I will ever dive there again on scuba. F%#$ that hike!

Vis at Matadors was maybe 20ft tops, NO fish, no nothing! Thats why I really regret not taking anything at leo, the most I saw was a couple calico, and took 1 embarrassing single shot. Im not sure why it was so barren, but my only guess was maybe the seal that was tagging along with us for 20 minutes may have scared them off. If it wasnt for the "new location" under my belt, this was pretty much a worthless dive. Well, maybe not totally worthless, a couple nudists decided to welcome us out of the water. They would have been my second shot, but I already broke down the gun leaving the surf. Oh well...


So long story short, hit the south beaches now! NNW swells + NNE winds = awesome malibu conditions. Sorry if this report is a little scatter brained, Im still a little light headed from the damn hike out of Matador...

[campione]

Matador used to be a great spot 20 years ago. In the winter we would get 50 foot viso. I remember the lobsters, the bull calicos fearless, the whities, huge scallops,....
But I agree with you, the place is barren nowdays.
I guess things change over 20 years...

[bowfront26]

thanks for the report

[JosephJ]

dam i should have went. i dove dume sat and it was about 15' some 20' spots

["Yard-Sale Josh"]

wow matador must have been loaded

[hackk]

I decided last minute, Im going to dive Leo again in the morning with the girlfriend. Should be there just after 10am. Conditions are too good to pass up

[Diablo Loco]

Originally Posted by hackk

After the first dive, we decided to check out El Matador beach, my first and LAST time I will ever dive there again on scuba. F%#$ that hike!

Vis at Matadors was maybe 20ft tops, NO fish, no nothing! Thats why I really regret not taking anything at leo, the most I saw was a couple calico, and took 1 embarrassing single shot. Im not sure why it was so barren, but my only guess was maybe the seal that was tagging along with us for 20 minutes may have scared them off. If it wasnt for the "new location" under my belt, this was pretty much a worthless dive.

Ya never will know where the good spots are unless you are willing to explore the unknown (unless you know someone who has already been there and found out that the treasure is gone). There is nothing worse than humping it up or down a hill or down a long trail with a 80lbs or more of scuba gear, only to find...........the conditions suck or once you get in the water, there are no fish worth shooting. But hey, where would the fun be if we didn't have to put a little effort into the sport.

[hackk]

on a ski lift?

[hackk]

ok, off to leo for some freediving and scuba! Hope to see some of you there