Front Beach flounder and lobster, Monday, Aug 17, '09 Pics.

[dave4868]

Sure it's more important just to have nice dives and good buddies, but getting flounder and lobster seemed to top it off pretty well!

Dove Front Beach, Rockport, MA, Monday, the 17th, and was joined for my second dive by trappist and a friend of his.

The hot weather made it a welcome relief to get below the thermocline and into the 50-degree water. After well over an hour there, it also felt good to ascend above the thermocline into the 64-degree water! The dives were 110 and 94 minutes, respectively. Max depths of 42' and 39'. The depth of the thermocline varied from 25' on the first dive to 15' on the second dive.

We had calm seas and decent vis of 15 to 25' mostly, but up to about 40' in small areas.

I was surprised to see quite a few keeper-sized winter flounder at this time of year and I speared 7 on my first dive. None bigger than 15 inches, though. We only saw one keeper on the second dive, but he outsmarted us!

Lobsters were fairly plentiful also, and trappist's new lobster license came in handy, allowing a total of 6 keepers to be taken.

Trading allowed both of us to take home flounder and lobster for our dinners! That made some real nice dives even better!

Dave C


Front Beach, viewed from the water

A sea raven and lobster in decent vis

A windowpane flounder exhibits good trim

Trappist's friend, also in good trim!

Trappist bags another lobster!

 

[RIOceanographer]

110 minutes?!?! Yikes, thats some serious BT! Especially at 50 degrees!

And agreed, the windowpane did have good trim although his rig is a little unconventional. No ditchable weight, no d-rings for carrying gear, no exposure protection. I am all for minimalism and streamlining but that's taking it to an extreme.

Thanks for sharing the photos!

 

[dave4868]

110 minutes?!?! Yikes, thats some serious BT! Especially at 50 degrees!

And agreed, the windowpane did have good trim although his rig is a little unconventional. No ditchable weight, no d-rings for carrying gear, no exposure protection. I am all for minimalism and streamlining but that's taking it to an extreme.

Thanks for sharing the photos!

I probably should try to emulate the flounder, but I'll continue to look more like a sea raven with so much gear hanging off me!

Speaking of extraneous gear, my tuna ball came in handy when it helped support the Danforth anchor I found early in the second dive! One never knows what one might find!

As far as the long, cold dive....I'm still diving dry since I don't own a wetsuit!

Now, in this heat, at least I'm beginning to get out of my drysuit between dives! Old habits die hard....

Dave C

 

[RIOceanographer]

I probably should try to emulate the flounder, but I'll continue to look more like a sea raven with so much gear hanging off me!

If I ever see a sea raven carrying a camera, catch bag and pole-spear, I am getting the heck out of the water.

 

[trappist]

I have to agree, this was a more than pleasant dive ! It was the second time I decided to get back on my "old" semi-dry suit and even with 94min I did not really get cold... I guess all the energy I spent to find these bugs helped a lot to keep me warm ! It was incredible, after 41min dive I see Dave telling us that we turn around, I simply did not realize we already did 40+min !!!
I got my lobster license probably a bit late and definitely not diving enough, but I definitely like it ! It will be so hard when I will be back !
Now with the picture... I can see I have a lot of work on my trim too ;o) It is not an easy task, I just switched to a BP/W setup and love it but a lot of things need to be changed, one at a time !

 

[mello-yellow]

Excellent pictures, Dave!

 

[dave4868]

Excellent pictures, Dave!

Thanks! How's your bug-hunting been?

Dave C

 

[dave4868]

Now with the picture... I can see I have a lot of work on my trim too ;o)

Don't worry about your trim; you're permitted to touch the bottom when hunting, at least around here!

Dave C

 

[mello-yellow]

Thanks! How's your bug-hunting been?

Dave C

Last time I went out on 8/13 at Norman's Woe and got only 3 bugs (one dive). OTOH, July 30 I got eight -- first time ever that many in one day.

Looks like my next outing will not be a weekday, but rather Sunday August 30. Care to join me?

 

[dave4868]

Last time I went out on 8/13 at Norman's Woe and got only 3 bugs (one dive). OTOH, July 30 I got eight -- first time ever that many in one day.

Looks like my next outing will not be a weekday, but rather Sunday August 30. Care to join me?

Sure, thanks! If conditions are ideal, of course.... (long drive).

I'll email you later in the week as forecasts become more certain.

Conditions this year haven't motivated me to come down as often.... I blame conditions, but I'm probably just gettin' old!

Dave C