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UNDERWATER HUNTERS REPORT
© 2005 UNDERWATERHUNTERS.COM
All rights reserved.
In This Report
Cover Page .......................................................................................................................... 1
In This Report / Contributing Editors ................................................................................. 2
Catchs of the Month (Tuna, Abalone) ............................................................................. 4-6
Underwater Photos of the Month (Tuna, WSB, Sharks) .................................................. 7-9
Web Links of the Month .................................................................................................... 10
REPORT (Hot Bite, Southern & Northern) ................................................................... 11-13
Where are the fish?? (Chart) ............................................................................................ 14
Water Temperature & Chlorophyll .............................................................................. 15-16
Tides/Currents & Grunion Runs (Best UWH Tides)..................................................... 17-18
Feature Article I (Great White Breaks Distance, Speed Records) ............................... 19-22
Feature Article II (Ocean over fishing leads to decline in predators) ......................... 23-25
Feature Article III (Photos Offer First Glimpse of Live Deep-Sea Giants) .................. 26-31
Important Diving & Boating Safety Tips (Frederic Ducedam)..................................... 32-33
Compatition (40th Annual Charlie Sturgill Meet)......................................................... 34-37
Services (Best Dentist in the World) ................................................................................. 38
Contributing Editors
Web Administrator:
Competition:
Photography:
Photography:
Marine Science:
Offshore Adventures:
Presentation:
Safety:
Safety:
Cisco Serret
Terry Lentz
Nate Baker
Dan Nersesian
Dr. Mark Steele
Brad Moungeau
Anthony Funiciello
Doug Van Mullem
Frederic Ducedam
The above editors helped immeasurably to bring this report to life. The goal of this report
is to provide quality, current information to the readers. The editors above and I
appreciate your input and sincerely hope you enjoy reading this report as much as we do
bringing it to you each month.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Disclaimer
This report is issued to enhance the local underwater hunters experience
with the hope that it will make your water time more productive. It is not the
intent of this report to infringe on anyone’s privacy or compromise favorite
hunting spots. I attempt to disseminate fairly general information, which I
hope will help make your ocean experience more enjoyable.
The sport of underwater hunting and or fishing can be dangerous and can
cause injury and/or death. Although these reports emphasize safety while
fishing or hunting, no person should rely on this information for his or her
own safety. It is each individual personally responsibility to fish and/or hunt
safely.
The information contained in this report is designed as a reference and is not
designed to be a substitute for formal training and or instruction by a
qualified instructor or institution. Misunderstanding any information or
strategies outlined in this report may result in serious injury and/or death
and not the responsibility of the author. Each underwater hunter or
fisherman is responsible for exercising sound judgment when making
decisions about their own abilities and limitations relating to underwater
hunting and or fishing.
The author provides no guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied. The
information contained in this report is accurate and/or correct to the best of
the author’s knowledge.
You agree to assume all responsibilities and risk for all related activities and
outcomes while using any of the strategies and/or information contained in
this report. You and your heirs agree to release the author and his estate
from all liability now and forever for information contained herein.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Catch of the Month
Hunter:
Species:
Richard Balta
Blue Fin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
Cortez BF Tuna Pair 17 & 21 lbs.
Rich does the near impossible by spearing these two California BFT in one day at Cortez bank.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Hunter:
Species:
Matt Lum
Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens)
Matt Lum with his monster Red Abalone
Issue #26
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California Edition
In last weeks ICO, a photo was published with a short article relating to the huge size of a
gigantic red abalone animal recently taken by Matt Lum of Santa Barbara (largest recorded
weight by Buzz Owen in 56 years of searching for large animals of the red abalone). The above
photo was taken 48 hours out of the water, placed next to a 7.75 inch shell for comparison. This
abalone weighed 6.4 pounds at this point – over one pound or 20% heavier than the next largest
recorded abalone. It measured an astounding 10.94 inches long by 9.45 inches wide, by 4.21
inches deep! All of these measurements are extremely large, and offer a challenge to equal,
much less exceed! What a monster abalone indeed.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Underwater Photos of the Month
Title:
Blue fin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus orientalis)
Wild 100+ lbs. Blue Fin Tuna
My hope is that more of these magnificent creatures will roam the seas in years to come.
Unfortunately this may be just a dream not a reality because of the devastating impact of
advanced fish locating technology, high prices and relentless commercial pursuit.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Species:
White Sea Bass (Atractoscion nobilis)
White Sea bass are making a remarkable comeback in California primarily
because of the near shore gill net ban of early 1990
Issue #26
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California Edition
Title:
Feeding Sharks
Wonderful image of sharks feeding
Issue #26
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California Edition
Web Links of the Month
Lets Talk Hookup
#1 Fishing Radio Talk Show in the West!
TUNE IN 1090 on your AM Radio Dial
Sunday October 16th Two Bluewater Adventure hours on air from 7-9 AM
Skip Hellen was a guests for the second time, along with Terry Maas. This show
was the first time Lets Talk Hookup has devoted two entire shows to the subject of
bluewater / underwater hunting
http://www.hookup690.com/
Let’s Talk Hook-up with Pete Gray and Rick Maxa is the #1 Fishing Radio Talk Show in the
West! Let’s Talk Hook-up airs every Saturday and Sunday from 7-9AM on the mighty 1090 on
your AM radio dial. Let’s Talk Hook-up has a wide variety of quality products and services
sponsors and I encourage folks to check them out when planning an offshore adventure or
fishing trip.
I was the fortunate to be first (underwater / blue water hunter) guest ever on this show. To get a
copy of that shows which aired on Sunday June 16th and October 16th 2005 go to the
following web site:
http://www.976-tuna.com/download.php?view.24
The June 16th show received so much positive feedback; Peter Gray decided to do an entire
show on underwater hunting. He invited Terry Maas and I to join him for another show which
will air on Sunday October 16th from 7-9 AM.
http://www.terrafin.com/sstview/index.htm
Terrafin water temperature and Chlorophyll reports not only help me determine where to find
the big ones in California but also give me the same information on areas in Mexico and other
hunting areas around the world.
Terrafin is a must have tool if you want to be on the cutting edge and catch the record fish.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Report
Water temperatures are begging to cool early this year which has had a negative impact on the
local fishing; we may be in for an early close to this year’s game fish season. The squid have
arrived early which is why there are still some larger fish around. Unfortunately the presence of
squid can have very different effects on fish behavior and it seems the fish have decided to go
deep with the squid year which make them very difficult to hunt.
HOTBITES:
ALBACORE: NO Albacore
YELLOWFIN TUNA: 1-3 day boat trips out of San Diego area reporting difficult weather and
few fish.
YELLOWTAIL: There has been some excellent yellowtail action on the back side of Catalina
the past few weeks. These are good grade fish from 20-30 lbs.
WHITE SEA BASS: There are a few nice fish remaining around the Channel Islands.
CALICO BASS: Calico bass fishing is great along the coast and at all the local islands.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Southern Areas
SOUTHERN COAST (SC): There are still a few WSB but it is still hard to find clear water. Big
YT have been reported as well as Halibut.
CATALINA ISLAND (CI): Large Yellowtail have made a strong showing around the east end
and the back side.
SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND (SCI): No reports
CORTEZ and TANNER BANKS (TB & CB): Bad weather has been a problem off shore
making the banks very difficult to reach in the past few weeks. The few boats that have gotten
out have been rewarded with large mossback yellowtail (20-40 lbs.)
SANTA BARBARA ISLAND (SBI): No reports for SBI recently.
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Northern Areas
SANTA ROSA ISLAND (SRI): Bad weather no reports.
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (SCZI): Scattered WSB all over the back side. A few WSB have been
taken over 40 lb. Some large YT have been reported breezing just outside the kelp.
ANACAPA ISLAND (ACI): A few good sized YT and WSB have been reported but with no
consistency.
SAN NICHOLAS ISLAND (SNI): Bad weather no reports.
NORTHERN COAST (NC): Water has been dirty and now getting cold.
http://www.underwaterhunters.com/history/index.php?id=11
Summery
Water temperatures are cooling. There are some WSB and Halibut along the coast, with some
very big YT at the islands with the squid but they seem to be staying deep most of the time.
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California Edition
Where are the fish?? (Chart)
The above chart is published on the web link below and is where the fishermen are finding fish.
Mark Wisch also gives some great daily audio reports on this link. The Pacific Edge Tackle
shop in Huntington Beach is the place for fishing supplies as well as the latest fishing
information.
http://www.pacificedgetackle.com/fishreport.aspx
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California Edition
Water Temperature (Surface)
One of the most important factors of fish behavior is water temperature. It’s important to monitor
not only the temperature but the temperature trend. Up trends usually promote fish activity and
cooling tends usually promote fish inactivity. Keep these trend rules in mind when trying to
predict fish patterns and activities.
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Chlorophyll (Water Clarity)
The above image was taken by satellite and shows chlorophyll content in the surface water off
southern California. This is a new service offered by Terrafin and is a valuable asset when trying
to determine water clarity in diving locations off shore. Terrafin is a subscription service and the
link is featured in the links of the month in this report.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Tides / Currents & Grunion runs
Look at the following tide days & wave charts for favorable underwater hunting tide/current
conditions for hunting species like White Seabass;
Remember different species favor different current conditions so not all tide cycles and currents
conditions are desirable for all fish.
Grunion runs; There will be no more grunion runs for this year. Reference the following web
site for future Grunion runs. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/gruschd.html#runs
November 10th through November 12th
The key with tide/current patterns is the lack of inner tidal change trend. Even large tidal swings
tend to produce little currents if there is little or no trend. The above chart tide waves have
relatively large tide changes but little tidal trend. Notice the small difference of the tops of the
highs and bottom of the lows. Large even reversals tend to cancel out each other when they are
equal and produce little or no trend and current. Keep in mind that understanding how to
recognize tidal wave trend is perhaps the most important skill when attempting to predict
current flow and intensity.
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November 23rd through November 25th
This is perhaps the best tide for low current in the month of November. Notice the small
outgoing trend of tidal change during the daylight hours. This is an ideal pattern for low to no
current.
Log onto the web link below, I have a lists of all the favorable tide/current cycles for
underwater hunters interested in low currents for the entire 2005 year.
http://www.underwaterhunters.com/information/index.php?id=14
Issue #26
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California Edition
Feature Article I
Title:
Article By:
Great White Breaks Distance, Speed Records for Sharks
John Roach for National Geographic News
A female great white shark has completed the first documented round-trip ocean crossing by a
shark, swimming farther than any other known shark, according to a new study.
Nicole, as the shark is being called, traveled from Africa to Australia and back—a total of
12,400 miles (more than 20,000 kilometers)—in nine months. The feat also set a second record:
fastest return migration of any known marine animal.
The shark's approximately 6,900-mile (11,100-kilometer), 99-day swim from South Africa to
Australia was tracked with an electronic tag that had been attached on November 7, 2003. The
device had been set to pop off on a specific date in late February 2004.
After floating to the surface, the tag told a satellite the details of its journey. The information
was then automatically relayed to scientists' e-mail accounts.
On the day the tag was scheduled to transmit its data to the satellite, New York-based shark
researcher Ramón Bonfil eagerly booted up his computer to get the scoop.
"When I opened the Web site and saw the map with the tag transmitting from the coast of
Australia, I just couldn't believe it," said Bonfil, who works for the Wildlife Conservation
Society (WCS). "It was exactly what I wanted one of the sharks to do."
The news only got better: Six months later zoologist Michael Scholl called Bonfil from South
Africa and said the shark had returned from Australia.
Scholl, the founder of the White Shark Trust, had identified the shark's unique fin markings in a
series of photographs of Nicole—named after Australian actress and shark lover Nicole
Kidman.
"We never imagined it would be back to South Africa so quickly or that we would ever find out
it was back," Bonfil said.
The details of Nicole's big swim, and those of several other South African sharks will be
published in tomorrow's issue of the journal Science.
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"It's just fantastic data," said Robert Hueter, director of the Center for Shark Research at the
Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. The findings, he added, advance shark biology by
showing that the fish are more than just "ocean nomads that roam about" aimlessly.
Nicole above, a female great white shark, swam the Indian Ocean twice, setting a distance
record for all known sharks.
Shark Biology
In recent years genetic data has suggested that some male great white sharks migrate between
South Africa and Australia. But such a continent-to-continent swim had never been
documented.
Starting in August 2002, the WCS's Bonfil and his colleagues began a long-term tracking
project in hopes of answering basic questions about great whites: Where do they hang out?
When do they migrate? Which ones go?
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One surprising find is that great white shark populations have physical connections with
populations half a world away. But perhaps the most surprising find, at least for shark experts, is
that these connections appear to be made by females, if not both sexes.
"This opens up a bunch of new questions about shark biology," Bonfil said. "We don't know
why these sharks travel all the way to Australia—if it is for feeding reasons or reproduction.
And so now there are more questions than answers."
Scholl's photo-identification records track the South African great white population. They show
that since 1999 Nicole has appeared in her South African home waters only between June and
December. This suggests that her migration may be a regular occurrence.
The tracking data also show that sharks—males, females, adults, and juveniles—make frequent
migrations. Some journeys are as long as 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) and generally take the
sharks up and down the South African coast. Many of them return to the same spot off the Cape
of Good Hope, near Africa's southernmost point.
Mating Game?
According to Bonfil, the coastal migrations are most likely food related—the sharks go north to
abundant fishing grounds.
So why did Nicole make the mad dash to Australia and back? Bonfil speculates it was about a
mate.
South Africa has ample seals, sea lions, overwintering whales, and fish to prey on, he said. "So I
would doubt—though I have no proof—that [Nicole] went all the way to Australia to feed on
something," Bonfil said.
On the other hand, Nicole measures 12.4 feet (3.8 meters) long. This is smaller than the 14.8
feet (4.5 meters) at which great white sharks are believed to reach sexual maturity, suggesting
that she's not ready for a mate.
Michael Domeier is a marine biologist and president of the Pfleger Institute of Environmental
Research in Oceanside, California. "Feeding may be the more likely candidate in this case," he
wrote in an e-mail.
But the question is open, according to Domeier. "Perhaps individuals begin to make excursions
to mating areas prior to reaching full maturity—let's call it a practice run," he said.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Celestial Guide?
So how did Nicole know where she was going? And what led her back to the very location off
South Africa where she was originally tagged?
"The idea that this is happening through some kind of roaming function or happenstance or by
following a current is hard to accept," Hueter of the Mote Marine Laboratory said. "You really
have to believe these animals are navigating in a purposeful way."
The WCS's Bonfil and his colleagues suggest that the sharks, which are known to have eyesight
sensitive to dim light, use visual cues, such as the location of the sun or moon, to navigate.
Data from Nicole's tag show that she spent more than 60 percent of her time swimming right at
the surface. She did frequently dive to great depths—sometimes as deep as 3,000 feet (900
meters). Her path, however, was nearly straight.
"We speculate that probably it is using its eyes to find its way to Australia, and the obvious
means of doing this is the moon and sun," Bonfil said.
Alternatively, sharks could use Earth's magnetic field to orient themselves, as other animals
have been shown to do, Domeier said.
Whatever their method, great white sharks may be navigating dangerous waters. Their newly
discovered ocean-crossing ways take the sharks into areas that are less regulated than coastal
areas.
"Nicole has shown us that ... wide-ranging white sharks that are nationally protected in places
such as South Africa and Australia are much more vulnerable to human fishing in the open
oceans than we previously thought," Bonfil warned in a WCS press statement.
Issue #26
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California Edition
Feature Article II
Title:
Article By:
Ocean over fishing leads to decline in predators
Juliet Eilperin
A new study says the world's ocean predators are being fished out of existence, with
diversity down by a shocking 50 per cent in the last five decades. The report places the
blame on "eco-system wide changes linked to climate and fishing."
An unfortunate scene these days
A group of ecologists and oceanographers have created the first global map of fish diversity in
the open ocean. Their findings will appear in the online edition of the journal Science.
The global map tracks how diversity "hotspots" have shrunk in the last 50 years and where the
remaining hotspots can be found.
Previous studies had shown the number of large fish in the world's oceans was dropping, but
this study differs in demonstrating a decrease in the types of fish that still exist.
Issue #26
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Some highlights of their findings:
•
•
•
•
10 per cent of all large fish are left in global ocean.
90 per cent of all large fish are gone, including tuna, marlin, swordfish, sharks, cod and
halibut.
Industrial fisheries take only 10 to 15 years to deplete any new fish community they
encounter to one-10th of what it was before.
The changes are most dramatic in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
"From giant blue marlin to mighty bluefin tuna, and from tropical groupers to Antarctic cod,
industrial fishing has scoured the global ocean. There is no blue frontier left," says lead author
Ransom Myers, a biologist based at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.
Scientists focused on the best data available -- Japanese fishing between 1952 and 1999, a
period that saw a rapid increase of large-scale fishing after the Second World War.
The fishing was done with the most common type of fishing equipment used in the oceans:
longlines. They float on the surface of the water, are attached to hooks that descend up to 1,000
feet below the surface, and catch a wide range of species in a consistent way over vast areas.
"Whereas longlines used to catch 10 fish per 100 hooks, now they are lucky to catch one,"
Myers said.
The study found that diversity dropped by 50 per cent in the Atlantic and Indian oceans, and 25
per cent in the Pacific.
Some good news
The remaining hotspots for fish diversity are found in the mid-latitudes and correlate with the
only other open ocean diversity study, on zooplankton. Both are linked to sea surface
temperature.
"The peak in big fish diversity is at middle temperatures," Myers said. "Ocean animals don't
like it too hot, or too cold, they like it just right" -- at about 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Five hotspots of diversity remain, two of them in U.S. waters:
•
•
•
•
•
South of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean
East of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean
East of Australia's Great Barrier Reef in the South Pacific Ocean
North of Easter Island in the South Pacific Ocean
East of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean
Issue #26
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Callum Roberts, a marine conservation biologist at Britain's University of York, told the
Associated Press the study could assist policy-makers decide which areas of oceans should be
protected from over-fishing.
"While some hotspots have disappeared, there are still some very special places where species
concentrate," Myers told AP.
Issue #26
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Feature Article III
Title:
Article By:
Holy Squid! Photos Offer First Glimpse of Live Deep-Sea Giant
James Owen National Geographic News
Like something straight out of a Jules Verne novel, an enormous tentacled creature looms
out of the inky blackness of the deep Pacific waters. But this isn't science fiction. A set of
extraordinary images captured by Japanese scientists marks the first-ever record of a live
giant squid (Architeuthis) in the wild.
Jules Vern’s imagination wasn’t that far off
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The animal—which measures roughly 25 feet (8 meters) long—was photographed 2,950 feet
(900 meters) beneath the North Pacific Ocean. Japanese scientists attracted the squid toward
cameras attached to a baited fishing line.
The scientists say they snapped more than 500 images of the massive cephalopod before it
broke free after snagging itself on a hook. They also recovered one of the giant squid's two
longest tentacles, which severed during its struggle.
The photo sequence, taken off Japan's Ogasawara Islands in September 2004, shows the squid
homing in on the baited line and enveloping it in "a ball of tentacles."
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Tsunemi Kubodera of the National Science Museum in Tokyo and Kyoichi Mori of the
Ogasawara Whale Watching Association report their observations this week in the journal
Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
"Architeuthis appears to be a much more active predator than previously suspected, using its
elongated feeding tentacles to strike and tangle prey," the researchers write.
They add that the squid was found feeding at depths where no light penetrates even during the
day.
Giant Breakthrough
Despite people's fascination with this deep-sea behemoth, the giant squid's life and habits have
remained largely a mystery. The little information known has been mostly based on dead and
dying specimens that were caught by commercial fishing boats or washed ashore.
The mysterious creature has inspired countless sea monster tales and has been the subject of
various scientific expeditions.
Since the mid 1990s there have been a number of research trips in search of giant squid.
Cameras attached to deep-diving subs or sperm whales have been used to try to capture the
elusive animals on film, but without success.
The Japanese researchers used sperm whales as guides to help them pinpoint likely giant squid
haunts. Over the years whalers have reported finding a high number of large squid beaks in the
mammals' stomachs, pegging sperm whales as primary predators of large squid.
The images are generating considerable excitement among squid experts.
"I think it's wonderful that we've finally got a picture of a living giant squid," said Richard Ellis,
a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and author of
The Search for the Giant Squid.
"I thought it would only be a matter of time before someone got images of Architeuthis," he
added.
"After all, it's not an endangered species, not even all that rare, and it's one of the largest of all
invertebrates. So the Japanese film finally breaks through and renders the statement 'nobody has
ever seen a living giant squid' inoperative."
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Squid expert Martin Collins of the British Antarctic Survey based in Cambridge, England, says
the new images are a "fantastic" achievement.
The marine biologist says he was skeptical that a dedicated giant squid hunt would succeed. He
thought the first wild sighting would probably come by accident.
"Fair play to these guys who've made the effort, gone out there and looked in what they thought
was a good area, and found it," he said.
The real deal (giant squid) captured on film for the first time in the deep abyss
Issue #26
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Hunting for Clues
Collins is especially interested in clues the images might provide to the way giant squid swim
and hunt in the deep ocean.
"Seeing the animals on film gives you a tremendous insight into how they live down there," he
said. "It shows they are pretty active animals, and that answers a big question that's been out
there for some time."
Collins says there were two competing schools of thought among giant squid experts.
"One was the idea that [giant squid] were fairly inactive and just drifted around, dangling their
tentacles below them like fishing lures to catch what came by," he said.
"The other theory was that they were actually quite active. This new evidence supports this,
suggesting they are active predators which can move reasonably quickly."
"The efforts the squid went to untangle itself [from the baited fishing line] also shows they are
capable of quite strong and rapid movement," he added.
The study team reports that the severed tentacle repeatedly gripped the boat deck and crew after it
was hauled aboard. The squid's tentacles are armed with suckers, each ringed with tiny teeth to
help snare prey.
Measuring 18 feet (5.5 meters) long, analysis of the tentacle confirmed it came from a giant
squid and allowed the researchers to estimate the total length of the animal.
But the researchers caution that their data assume the tentacle was severed at its base. If not, the
squid may have been considerably larger. The longest giant squid on record measured 59 feet
(18 meters), including its two elongated tentacles.
Shedding Light on Giant Squid
Giant squid, along with their close cousins colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis), have the largest
eyes of any animal.
"Giant squid do have particularly large eyes, which would suggest vision is important to them.
Having a large eye isn't unusual in deep-sea animals—you see it quite often in fish."
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The fact that the animal caught on film was swimming in total darkness suggests the species
detects prey using alternative light sources. "The only light down there is likely to be light
produced by other animals," said Collins of the British Antarctic Survey.
The Japanese team thinks that research techniques similar to their own could be used to bring
about more close encounters with giant squid. Ellis of the American Museum of Natural History
agrees.
"I'm sure we can learn a lot from an analysis of these images," he said. "And now that we have
an idea of where to look for [the squid], we will undoubtedly get more pictures."
Issue #26
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California Edition
Important Diving & Boating Safety Tips By; Frederic Ducedam
More and more we are diving in dangerous conditions. We are diving offshore, we are diving in
boat traffic, we are diving at dawn or at sun set in the fog, we are diving alone, we are diving
deep, we are shooting big fish, we are drift diving in strong current and rough sea conditions.
We all have likely had a few close calls and I feel there is more we can do to mitigate the risks
of this dangerous business. Time and time again I noticed a lack of boatmanship with very
experienced divers. The responsibility lies with the boat owners who do not share the
knowledge of their boat with the crew. A diving boat trip is a team effort. The overall safety of
the operation in addition to the diving experience of each individual is a function of their
boating experience.
The boat owner needs to anticipate emergency situations and make sure the team will respond
effectively when he is in the water. Accidents happen when unrelated mishaps happen at the
same time. A diver is in trouble and the engine won’t start. A diver is in trouble and the anchor
is stuck, two divers shoot a big fish at the same time during an offshore dive and head in
different directions. Most of the time, the only guy left on the boat is the greenest (because of
something he ate, nobody ever gets seasick…).
Every one on the boat should understand basic boatmanship.
Before launching I assess the seamanship experience of the guests and distribute the task in
reverse order of their experience (hints below).
1. I make sure everybody knows where the safety equipment is.
2. If somebody never launched a boat, he gets to do it. I explain how to start the engine
without flooding it; explain what could prevent the engine from starting (in gear, flat
battery, kill switch off, pre-heating on a diesel etc…). Or better, have the second least
experienced boater explain it so I can review what the other guy is missing.
3. Casting off is the opportunity to explain why a mooring line (or a float line) in the prop is
not a good idea.
4. Under way the opportunity to expose the least experience guest to basic boat piloting.
Some of us have been diving as guest on boat for many years and still do not know how to
maintain a bearing in dense fog or at night or driving the boat safely in heavy following
sea.
5. Recover a diver during drift dive situation: Come up wind or up current (whichever is
dominant), kill the engine and let the boat drift to the diver, re-start the engine only when
the diver is out of the water.
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6. When recovering divers with a large kelp bed or reef downwind explain that it is not a
good idea to sit on the platform fussing with gloves, mask and fins while the boat is
drifting in the danger zone.
7. Picking-up and securing the anchor. Being prepared and know what to do if an emergency
requiring whoever happen to be on the boat to pick up or abandon the anchoring system
and move the boat to assist a diver in trouble.
8. Loaded gun on the boat…. We all do it (kelp paddy jumping)…we should not… but if we
do it anyway loaded guns should be stored in such a way as to fire harmlessly.
In conclusion, every non-emergency boat situation is the opportunity for the least experienced
guest to gain experience by performing the maneuver. The reward for the skipper is not
having to do everything himself and assess the skill of the crew so he can assign tasks in
emergency situation.
Issue #26
Page 33 of 39
California Edition
Competition (40th Annual Charlie Sturgill Pole Spear Meet) By: Erik Bonados
Spearfishing Legend Charlie Sturgill (Notice no snorkel or rubber suit)
Issue #26
Page 34 of 39
California Edition
We enjoy a great BBQ on a sunny Sunday Afternoon overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Palos
Verdes in company of new and old competitors, friends and family celebrating in the name of
Charlie. The Sturgills greeted us to their lovely home on Sunday they were all ready waiting for
us with tables, umbrellas, chairs, for everyone to relax after a hard day diving. Larry Carter in
company of his lovely wife Presy were waiting for us with delicious hamburgers with warm
buns and all the fixings. There were several Fathomiers show up for the weigh in and the BBQ.
The Sturgills provided us with food and some people also brought some extra food, we even
had a cake!! In addition to a full cooler with sodas, water, cookies, you named. I think I gain a
pound or two!
We had a total of 11 competitive divers show up for the challenge.
Here are the top 5 winners.
1st Place Ryan Deuel
2nd Place Paul Romanowski
3rd Place Richard Balta
4th Place Brandon Wahlers
5th Place Dave Galich
Charlie Sturgill Meet Perpetual Trophy
Issue #26
Page 35 of 39
California Edition
Winners 1-5th Places
Ryan, Gary, Skip
These three hunters have won half or 20 Sturgill Meets
Issue #26
Page 36 of 39
California Edition
Sturgill Meet Group 2005
I will like to thank the Sturgills, Larry Carter, Bob Sellers, Mike Thomas, for all their hard work
and effort in making this a successful event. Hope to see you again next year when we celebrate
one of our great underwater hunting legends Charlie Sturgill.
Issue #26
Page 37 of 39
California Edition
Services
***Best Dentist in the World***
Dr. Charles P. Tozzer DDS
Dr. Tozzers staff sets the standard with a relaxed family like office
atmosphere. At Dr. Tozzers office you are treated like a friend or
family member rather than a patent. This unique relaxed
atmosphere makes for a pleasant dental experience. Dr. Tozzer has
been my dentist for years, I never knew how pleasant a dental visit
could be until Dr. Tozzer became my dentist. Call Dr. Tozzer for
your next dentist appointment. You never had it so good at the
dentist until you see Dr. Tozzer.
Contact Dr. Tozzer at;
949-857-1270
New Patient Special
FREE Exam
FREE X-Rays
FREE Consultation
FREE Second Opinion
New Patient
$25 OFF
First Procedure
(Fillings & Crowns Only)
(A $187 Value)
Coupon
Coupon
Family + Cosmetic + Sedation Dentistry
Issue #26
Page 38 of 39
California Edition
***** Please send Photos / Stories *****
Underwater photos are especially nice
If you have any ideas or want to add anything to this report please contact me at
714-969-1681 or [email protected]
I will keep your information as confidential as you wish
I would like to extend a special thanks to all who have contributed to this report. Your
input has been greatly appreciated. Because of your contribution this report continues to
improve each month. I believe this report is the best report thus far. Rest assured we are
making every effort to produce the finest report of its kind in the world today. With your
help we will accomplish our goal.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS REPORT
Be safe, good luck, good hunting and good fishing
The key is to be with the sea
Skip Hellen
Issue #26
Page 39 of 39
California Edition

Open

Transcription

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