July '05 Dive Reports

[TeqP]

Dive #1
Date: July 23, 2005
Dive Location: Dive Park, Catalina
Time: 8:56am
Bottom Time: 42 minutes
Max Depth: 71
Vis: 50-60'
Temp at depth: 64F
Surface Temp: 68F
Gas mix: Air (21%)

It was a beautiful day to be in Catalina, the sun was shining, visibility was very good, and the water wasn’t cold. Also, high tide was around 12:30pm which made for easy entry and exits. The water was calm, so the swim to the buoy near the SuJack was easy. Dropped down to excellent viz. Buddy had a slight free flow on the surface and lost 1000psi, so we quickly looked for the Sujack but missed it. We swam towards shallower water and spotted a betray (2-3’ wingspan) flying in the water. Tried to catch up but he was too quick. Saw all the usual suspects. A great way to start the day.

Dive #2
Date: July 23, 2005
Dive Location: Dive Park, Catalina
Time: 11:18am
Bottom Time: 40 minutes
Max Depth: 93
Vis: 40-50’
Temp at depth: 63F
Surface Temp: 68F
Gas mix: Air (21%)

Since we missed the Sujack on the first dive we decided to try again. This time the wind and boat activity had picked up which made for a longer surface swim. Once we all made it to the buoy we dropped down and finally found the Sujack! After exploring for a little, we headed to shallower waters. We stayed around 35-40’ instead of swimming through the kelp and IT PAID OFF! My buddy tapped my shoulder and I looked to him and next to him was a black sea bass.

He was 4-5’ and approx. 150-200lbs. He swam around us a while. It was funny when he passed by some students that were watching their instructor. He was about 3-5’ from them and they didn’t even notice him. The BSB got bored and took off. Continued with the dive and noticed that a lot of the garibaldi are still aggressive. One kept charging my fins as I came too close to his comfort zone. The BSB was the highlight for this dive. Thanks Dr.Bill for the viz update earlier in the week!

Dive #3
Date: July 23, 2005
Dive Location: Dive Park, Catalina
Time: 1:54pm
Bottom Time: 43 minutes
Max Depth: 62
Vis: 30-40'
Temp at depth: 64F
Surface Temp: 68
Gas mix: Air (21%)

Decided to head to the swim platform. Dropped right on it and noticed an eel hiding in one the corners.

Observed all the usual suspects in and about the platform. Played with a halibut (1.5’ in length) in the sand. Headed toward the steps in about 35-40’ and noticed a lot of rocks and decided to explore. Saw plenty of lobsters and an octopus hanging around

Another great dive.

Dive #4
Date: July 23, 2005
Dive Location: Dive Park, Catalina
Time: 3:58
Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 64
Vis: 30-40'
Temp at depth: 64F
Surface Temp: 68
Gas mix: Air (21%)

Conditions were still good and the 6pm boat was full so had nothing better to do but dive. Decided to see what was to the left of the steps and saw plenty of structure to explore. Again, plenty of the usual suspects and those protective garibaldi. Swam in the direction of the platform to look for any LARGE fish, but nothing was out there. Played with a couple of halibut and then decided it was time for some beer, time to surface. We all had a great time. There is always something new to find at Casino Point. Just a great day of diving, can’t ask for too much more than that.

 

[pasley]

... All this time, I was wearing a HydroOptix mask that still had defog smeared all over the inside - I generally find it easiest to wear it through the surf zone all gooey, and then rinse it in clearer water past the surf. ...

Um, may I suggest what I do, one 3 gallon bucket filled with hot water at home, and a tight lid. Then at the dive site, I rinse the mask of the defog at the car, then after the dive, in goes computer, regulators and octopus into the rinse water.

Sometimes though stuff happens. Washing machine surface and heat and everything and then you get sick.

 

[alaity47]

Um, may I suggest what I do, one 3 gallon bucket filled with hot water at home, and a tight lid. Then at the dive site, I rinse the mask of the defog at the car, then after the dive, in goes computer, regulators and octopus into the rinse water.

I already bring a bunch of water for pouring into my suit (I HATE dry, hot neoprene) - don't know why I didn't think to rinse the mask at the car, too. I'm so used to saltwater rinses for masks on boats, I think I just assumed that was better than using freshwater - but come to think of it, it's probably the other way around.

 

[JMdiver]

7-24-05 Malibu Cove Rd.
8:30 AM
B.T. 15mins
Depth 21 ft
Vis. 2-3 ft
The vis was so bad I only stayed under for 15 mins. I seen a school of fish go by but can't tell what kind they were.

 

[Kayak Diver]

Date: 5/23/2005
Dive Location: Somewhere southeast of Leo Carillo
Max Depth: 56 ft.
Vis: 15-20 ft. above thermocline, 5-10 ft. below the thermocline
Temp at depth:Low 60's
Comments: Debdiver and I paddled our kayaks out to a thick kelp forest southeast of Leo Carillo, and anchored in the sand just outside of the kelp. It was a great day to be in the boat. There were a lot of seabirds around and a young harbor seal took a lot of interest in us. We could see a large school of fish from the surface...looked like top smelt (?). Had a great dive...this reef has a TON of fish and other marine life. Saw a lot of nudibranchs and a shark egg (could see the little guy inside). The bait ball swam around us at the safety stop. Way cool. Will definetly be back to this spot.

 

[headhunter]

Date: 5/23/2005
Dive Location: Somewhere southeast of Leo Carillo
Max Depth: 56 ft.
Vis: 15-20 ft. above thermocline, 5-10 ft. below the thermocline
Temp at depth:Low 60's
Comments: Debdiver and I paddled our kayaks out to a thick kelp forest southeast of Leo Carillo, and anchored in the sand just outside of the kelp. It was a great day to be in the boat. There were a lot of seabirds around and a young harbor seal took a lot of interest in us. We could see a large school of fish from the surface...looked like top smelt (?). Had a great dive...this reef has a TON of fish and other marine life. Saw a lot of nudibranchs and a shark egg (could see the little guy inside). The bait ball swam around us at the safety stop. Way cool. Will definetly be back to this spot.

Was this the same large kelp paddy that we talked about being a long swim to get to?

Christian

 

[divinman]

Ahhhhhh Blue water at last:

Dive One:
Location: Le Mesa/ Los Coronado Islands
Time in the water: 9:16a
Dive Time: 63 minutes
Temp at surface: 70F
Temp at Depth: 63F
Max depth: 41ft
Visibility: verically you could see the sand from the boat at 30ft, horizontally 35-40ft.

Dive Two:
Location: Le Mesa/ Los Coronado Islands
Time in the water: 11:11a
Dive Time: 68 minutes
Temp at surface: 70F
Temp at Depth: 64F
Max depth: 36ft
Visibility: somewhat diminished but still a solid 25-30ft or better in spots.

Images are few as I forgot to change batteries after Saturdays dives and didn't bring spares either.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v109/divinman/Coronado Islands 072405/

Made two dives at the Coronado Islands Sunday. Seas were calm and the sun burned through early. We motored over to Middle Ground ( NOT LOBSTER SHACK FOR A CHANGE) and dove at Le Mesa. Nice area with dramatic rock structure. Sightings of the day were dolphins on the way there and back, mola on the surface on the trip back, hornsharks, fine scale trigger fish, lots of nudibranches, large sheep crabs, sea lions-both alive and deceased.... Great conditions. Blue water. Good times.

Terry S.

 

[divinman]

Location: Cabezon Cruiser/ Vallecetos Point
Time: 8:45a
Vis: 10-15
Dive Time: 44 minutes
Temp on Surface: 72 F
Temp at Depth: 53 F
Max Depth: 115
Surface conditions: nice easy surf entry, minimal wave action, no surge at depth, baby bat rays in knee deep water
Images: http://photobucket.com/albums/v109/divinman/LJS072305/

Location: Secret Gardens
Time: 11:27a
Vis: 10-15
Dive Time: 48 minutes
Temp on Surface: 72F
Temp at Depth: 52F
Max Depth: 112ft
Surface conditions: nice easy surf entry,building surf but no problem getting past it. baby bat rays in knee deep water

Location: ummmmm, the sand and wall somewhere....
Time: 3:20p
Vis: 8-10
Dive Time: 54 minutes
Temp on Surface: 72F
Temp at Depth: 57F
Max Depth: 82ft
Surface conditions: surf waist to chest high, but easily timed to get out. baby bat rays in knee deep water

Claudette and Phil came down from LA to check out all the muss and fuss about diving La Jolla Shores. I think we made the drive worth while.

First Dive: The cruiser with its large assortment of monster sheepheads and rock fish, tons of octopus, multiple nudibranch species, big, real big and huge halibut. Bat rays, sting rays and fried egg jellies

Dive two: Red gorgonians, really nice orange, purple and red tube anemones, fringeheads, hornsharks, bat rays, mucho predated sea lion carcass.

Dive Three: Juvenile wolf eel, adult wolf eel, bat rays, rock fish of many varieties, nudibranch-o-plenty..

It was an exhausting day of diving but well worth the effort. The beers and fries with Claudette and Phil were just the right way to end a great day.

Terry S.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

We should have followed you to the Cabezon Cruiser instead of Tyler.
Claudette extended her personal depth record to 142'

 

[Kayak Diver]

Was this the same large kelp paddy that we talked about being a long swim to get to?

Christian

Yes! That would be a really LONG swim. Gezzz...how in the world do you manage that!? You must be one tough shore diver!