100th dive, Casino Point, 8/28/10...GSB?

[SPKelpDiver]

So I am ringing in my 100th dive this Saturday at Casino Point. The surf report shows a pulse of swell coming in and maxing out on Saturday. I am not too worried about it, 90% of my dives have been from shore around Palos Verdes, so 15-20 foot visibility at Catalina is still a good day for me.

I was hoping to see a giant black sea bass on my 100th dive. The first time I actually witnessed these amazing fish was at Lovers Cove Catalina, of all places, before I was scuba certified. I was freediving at the time and saw two swimming together come through the edge of the kelp. I had enough time to dive down and swim with them for a minute. It was that experience that fused my soul with the ocean, and drove me to get certified. I was hooked. It would be amazingly symbolic experience to have an encounter with them on my 100th dive, but I know it's not likely.

I am getting to Catalina on Friday night, so I was planning on waking up early and diving the park by 7am on Saturday, before the boats come in and the horde of newbie divers to muck up the visibility and scare away the big fish.

I know GSB have been spotted frequently around the Island recently, but has anybody spotted them off the Dive Park? If so where? I was planning on heading east towards the Suejac. That is my favorite area of the park with all the walls and reef.

Keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[Captain12Pk]

With the exception of this past weekend, We've been seeing the big boys quite regularly all around the park for the past couple months.
Good luck, and congratulations on #100.

K

 

[Mo2vation]

Claudette and I saw them every day over the 3-day weekend we just spent in the park.

We saw them on 1 of two dives Friday, 1 of three dives Saturday, and two of three dives on Sunday.

They are there.

-K

 

[blue steal]

I hope you see them. Are you diving with Frankpro?

 

[FrankPro1]

I hope you see them. Are you diving with Frankpro?

Unfortunately he is not:depressed: I've got prior obligations which will keep me away for this one. Good luck Charlie! Hope you see a big one

 

[mselenaous]

Congrats Charlie. Wish I were diving with you on your 100th. The GSBs are like watching a school bus swim past. Do post pics.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[Bubbletrubble]

The GSBs tend to hang out in and around the kelp in the 20-50 fsw range. I have seen them a couple of times as I made my way underwater to the Sujac. Good luck!

 

[Teamcasa]

Marian and I are planing to dive the park Saturday as well. Congratulations on dive 100 and let's hope the big fish show up to celebrate with us all!

 

[on_two_wheels]

I think you'll see BSB, then an eel, a bat ray, HUGE school of bait fish then get escorted back to the steps by a seal. Isn't that the way all 100th dives go? Good luck! Hope you see all that and more.

 

[SPKelpDiver]

Thanks for info everyone. I think my strategy of getting in the water earlier and heading to the kelp forest just before and surrounding Suejac will pay off.

Elena! I wish you there to celebrate my 100th dive too. I will definitely document it, Frank, that means I am borrowing your Olympus.

Dave - Really good to know you will be at the park on Saturday to celebrate this monumental event in the history of underwater exploration....my 100th Scuba Dive!
Anybody else from the boards showing up?

I think you'll see BSB, then an eel, a bat ray, HUGE school of bait fish then get escorted back to the steps by a seal. Isn't that the way all 100th dives go? Good luck! Hope you see all that and more.

LOL! It's the way MY 100th dive goes! Now you've got my hopes up! I appreciate your high expectations for my dive, may it bring me luck.