Lobster diving spots in Encinitas or Carlsbad

[Lenn]

Anyone know of any decent spots in either Carlsbad or Encinitas (CA) to shore dive for lobster? (don't worry! I'll keep the locations secret)

 

[FATOPU]

I have dove Carlsbad alot, Its not the best but its close to home for me, Encinitas is better but harder to do. Out in front of the Campgrounds in Encinitas is best. Vis in Carlsbad has been poor the last week or so. Only Got 7 out of 4 dives.

 

[Lenn]

Yeah. It's close for me, too, but I don't mind driving down to Encinitas. how far off the shore do you have to go?

 

[FATOPU]

Yeah. It's close for me, too, but I don't mind driving down to Encinitas. how far off the shore do you have to go?

It depends, I freedive alot insted of scuba, so I will be anywhere between the beach and the kelp. 10-150yrds. When I SCUBA I will kick out to at least the outside of the surfline, its about 15-20 feet deep? but it depends if vis is good? I have kicked out to 35 feet deep, about 150yrds? and dove only to gain a couple more feet of vis.

Encinitas is mostly a freedive spot for me, too old and fat to lug my SCUBA gear up those cliffs. And stay South of the Swami's if hunting.

Cardiff is good too, just alittle bit south of Encinitas, Cardiff Reef, Sea Side Reef, Table Tops. Its an easy access to the water no cliffs, parking lot just feet from the waters edge. Watch for Surf, those two spots pick up some Surf.

 

[Lenn]

lol...tell me about it. We crawled all up and down a bunch of rocks to try this one spot in carlsbad, then fought a bunch of current. afterward, I was wiped out. I guess boat-diving has made me spoiled.
thanks a lot for the info, and I'm definitely going to try those spots. I've heard a lot of good things about Cardiff, so I think that's going to be our next destination. It's good to meet you. what's your name? maybe we can dive sometime.

 

[FATOPU]

Sent you a PM

 

[bober99]

I hear Swami's is actually the best spot in that area. I want to do a dive there. Think I will try it freediving with a boogie board at night

 

[FATOPU]

You might want to check the fish and game regs before hunting at Swami's, I was out a couple of times this week in Carlsbad, Vis has been good at 10'. Caught 5 bugs Wed night, on the bottle. Freedove durning High tide in the afternoons and havent seen anything good, but vis still good.

 

[masonlc]

My buddy and I pulled 5 bugs out of Cardiff on Friday, vis was the best I've seen there this year (~10 ft). Kicked out just past the surfline, max depth was 22ft. The surge can be a little rough.