Monterey conditions. (let's keep it going )

[KRL1973]

Dove the Middle Reef at San Carlos Cove today (aka the Breakwater). Viz was about 25', water had quite a bit of surge. Saw three intact juvenile molas swimming around near the surface. One swam right up to the camera lens as we were filming it. Three areas with abalone and quite a few spiny urchins. A good dive.

The only downside was seeing someone skin diving with a Hawaiian sling and spearing fish in 12-15 feet of depth. Can anyone confirm for me that the Breakwater is a sanctuary and closed to spearfishing so that I can say something if I see him again?

Thanks!

-Adrian

Mid week conditionsreports are GREATLY appreciated for those of us planning for the upcoming weekend. thank you very much for reporting

 

[Fundive123]

Did a dive today at the Breakwall. Very nice day and the water temp was 54 and the visibility was 20ft or so. There was minimal surge, however there were numerous Mola Mola's with their fins chewed off Also saw a fish doing some weird shaking/dancing in front of another(Maybe mating related?) Here is a link to a short clip of the fish: (Fish Shaking - YouTube)

 

[Drin]

Dove Lobos Middle Reef today. Terrible
Viz - less than 4'. It improved a little when we were at 15' of depth near the boat ramp but it was poor before that.

Had a seal buzz us a few times but not much of note beyond that.

-Adrian

---------- Post added December 6th, 2013 at 12:40 AM ----------

Mid week conditionsreports are GREATLY appreciated for those of us planning for the upcoming weekend. thank you very much for reporting

You're most welcome. Glad to help.

-Adrian

 

[ScubaGypsy]

Dove Point Lobos State Reserve today and it was spectacular! Water was 52 F and viz was 25-30'. Saw two leopard sharks on first dive at hole-in-the-wall and saw an octopus and had a sea lion buzz us during second dive at middle reef. Also had a harbor seal escort us back to the boat ramp after our second dive. Lovely day with flat surface conditions.

 

[Drin]

Dove north Monastery Wall yesterday morning. Surge was fairly strong but diveable. 3-4' swell so we dropped fairly quickly. Viz was 25-30' in less than 50'.

We turned to the north at the wall and viz opened up to about 50'. Some small red octos and a juvenile wolf eel visible at 120'. Temp was 51 at 140'.

Viz had worsened to about 20' on our return.

-Adrian

 

[KRL1973]

Did a dive today at the Breakwall. Very nice day and the water temp was 54 and the visibility was 20ft or so. There was minimal surge, however there were numerous Mola Mola's with their fins chewed off Also saw a fish doing some weird shaking/dancing in front of another(Maybe mating related?) Here is a link to a short clip of the fish: (Fish Shaking - YouTube)

I have observed this as well several times and I believe it is a courtship. The "dancer" also usually darkens in color. I believe those were pile perch you filmed. You will see this for stiriped perch and painted greenlings also although their dance is of a different style.

Another interesting fact, these perch give birth to live young rather than broadcast eggs.

-ken

 

[Fundive123]

I have observed this as well several times and I believe it is a courtship. The "dancer" also usually darkens in color. I believe those were pile perch you filmed. You will see this for stiriped perch and painted greenlings also although their dance is of a different style.

Another interesting fact, these perch give birth to live young rather than broadcast eggs.

-ken

Very Cool and interesting! I was very curious about the dance and the type of fish it was; I thought it might be some type of perch, but wasn't sure. I'm hoping to find and take a fish ID course sometime in the future so I know what I'm looking at haha. Thank you Ken for providing the answer and the interesting facts about the perch, I appreciate it.

 

[Ouvea]

Today was actually a very nice day to dive. While the waters were not glass/lake calm, the good visibility returned, which peaked at 25-35 feet in some areas. The water was not crystal clear but a slight hazy turquoise color. I could barely see the ripples of the surface as I hovered atop the first patch of the Metridium fields. Shallows had mild to moderate surge while, at depth, the surge completely faded. Entries and exits were easy, if you kept an eye out for the small water chop. In fact, saw a entire group of OW students that just breezed pass the surf zone.

Might have been a bit turbulent from a boat, but at the Metridium fields, it was very nice.

 

[Drin]

Video from last Friday at Monastery.

Http://youtu.be/LNUx6sbNJMs

 

[3D diver]

I was hoping to dive tomorrow but the wave model is looking a bit iffy. I'd appreciate any late day reports this afternoon.

thanks