The Mighty Lexy FEBRUARY 2006 Dive Reports Thread

[Peter McGuinness]

La Jolla Shores, north and way north walls.
Dive buddy: Brad Kuna (1st time buddied up - thanks Brad, let's do it again)
Time in: 3:30pm
depth: 86ft
Time: 39mins.
Vis:30+ft at depth, 5-10ft elsewhere.


We entered through surf which was building to the 'interesting' level and both of us got whacked at least once by a sizeable wave but made it through at the price of me losing my camera to King Neptune (boo).
Using the lineups and some hints from ny depth finder, we dropped right onto the promontory between north and far north walls, then kicked south to find the start of North.
The vis once we got down there was excellent; I measured it at a comfortabe 30ft, and with tons of life about, it was a tremendous dive. We kicked slowly westward along the wall, finding lobster, shrimp, tons of brittle stars and fragile rainbow stars and at one point had a huge shoal of baitfish right over us.
Where the wall begins to peter out, we hopped over to the other side of the promontory and then back along the way north wall towards shallower water. Naturally, since I did not have a camera we found something unusual: a wonderful mantis shrimp, the first one I have seen. It was in its burrow in the sand slope just before the main relief of the wall and hopefully I will be able to locate it again. Does anyone know if they make a permanent residence, or do they just move around from spot to spot?

Coming back from way north makes it possible to avoid the blue water swim while still making a beeline for shore and we came back up the slope into some pretty significant surge down at 40ft.

It was a great dive, and to make it even better I got back to find that some honest soul had picked up my camera and given it to the lifeguards - if it was one of you: thanks I owe you a cold one!

Peter

 

[LLKZ16]

Date: 2/5/06
Dive Location: Italian Gardens and Hen Rock (Catalina)
Buddy(ies): Angelique
Time: 9:31 am and 11:22am
Bottom Time: 1:03 and 1:02
Max Depth: 100 ft and 46 ft
Vis: 30+ on both
Wave height: None
Temp at depth: 57 F on both
Surface Temp: 63 F and 67 F

Comments:
We took the Island Time out this morning looking to get 2 dives in and get back in time for the Superbowl. The seas were very calm (unlike the forecast) and we made it out super quick. On the way out of the harbor, we passed by a dead belly up small (baby most likely) California Grey Whale. It was a shame to look at this poor creature but nature has its ways so we moved on. The boat was full to capacity (22 divers total with 1 class). The DM Richard told us few who were not part of the class to make sure we get our gear in place farther back in the boat so we can set up and be the first out. It was a GREAT tip.

Italian Gardens:
We dropped in the water first and headed to the anchor line. We decided to follow down the line to about 60 and then work our way to 100 or so just to check out the scenery. Down at 100 – 60 there was not much to see that was exciting. Just rock a few strand of kelp. We decided to move up the incline (which was very steep and cool to work across) to where the rock and kelp formations begin around 50ft. The kelp here was spaced out between the rocks and there were lots of cracks and crevices to explore. The one thing I did notice is that there were a TON of lobsters around this area. Two in particular were HUGE!!! They were the biggest I have seen in a long time. Also we came across a few morays but no octopi. It was interesting to see how the sea urchins in this eco system are so few as compared to the shores of So Cal. None of them were out in the open. All of them were hiding in a crack or between rocks. The fact that there were lots of Sheepheads around answered my question (these urchins are smart here in Catalina…lol). We scooted along moving in and out of the rocks, kelp and California Golden Gorgonian enjoying the scenery. When we got back on the boat the DM said that there was a Giant Black Sea Bass just in back of the boat (Damn!!) IMHO, if you are looking for lobster, this is the place to go.

Hen Rock:
This place was a BLAST!! There is some great diving to be found here. The elements that make this place interesting are the combination of huge boulders, kelp and a sandy bottom around the area. We dropped down the anchor line again and worked our way toward the rock. The sandy area where we entered opened up to an area with huge boulders and tons of kelp between them. We had a great time exploring the boulders and working our way through the maze. Some crevices were like mini caves almost large enough for a diver to fit into. The rock formations went from high to low and it was cool to travel up and down these little cliffs and valleys at the same time working our way through a wonderful kelp forrest. At different points, we found our selves skirting the edge of the reef entering the sandy areas. As I was looking to go back into the next rock formation I noticed what looked like a long thin rope moving straight toward me. As it moved right past us we noticed it looked like a creature that was a cross between an anemone and a jelly fish in the shape of a rope. I just did some research and found that it was Apolemia (see enclosed picture) I have never seen this before. Another creature that was out in abundance was Warty Sea Cucumbers. As we were making our way back to the boat we ran into a HUGE Pacific Electric Ray which I made sure to stay at least 4 feet away from…..lol. Overall, I would say that this location was fantastic and I would love to go back again.

 

[Archangel]

Date:Sunday, 5 February 2006
Dive Location: Woods Cove Laguna Beach
Buddy(ies): Johannes, Sam
Time: 9am
Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Max Depth: 28fsw
Vis: 5-10
Wave height:5-7 feet
Temp at depth:
Surface Temp: 57f
Tide information: Low
Gas mix: 27%
Comments:

Out with two divebuddies. Faced 5-7 foot surf on entry, with appreciable lulls dropping to 3 feet. Entry was uneventful and quickly dropped to 10 feet. Viz was 5-10 feet with a vicious surge that stirred up the bottom. Didnt see any bugs, finned out to the reefs on the right of the cove. Max depth was 28fsw. Will probably go back, just caught it on the wrong day. A female diver got Maytag'd on exit and had to be helped out of the water.

Tevis

 

[sjp]

coming to dana point in march. any suggestions on best way to dive the area?? there will be 2 of us.

thank you

 

[drbill]

Date: February 6, 2006
Dive Location: Avalon Bay, Lover's Cove
Buddy(ies): solo
Time:
Bottom Time: 35 min
Max Depth: 4 ft
Vis: 50-60+
Wave height: in mm's
Temp at depth: unknown
Surface Temp: 58 F
Tide information: low
Gas mix: surface air
Comments:

OK, so it wasn't a real dive. I left my gear on the King Neptune Sat night and then didn't dive Sunday. However, I walked downtown today and Avalon Bay looked like I was in the tropics. It was so crystal clear, I hopped a ride on the semi-submersible and went out to Lover's Cove to see what conditions were like there.

Vis in Lover's Cove was awesome. You could see the bottom well away from the boat. Vis at least 50-60 ft and probably more in the outer areas. Boy did I wish I had my dive gear!

 

[drbill]

Italian Gardens:
...It was interesting to see how the sea urchins in this eco system are so few as compared to the shores of So Cal. None of them were out in the open. All of them were hiding in a crack or between rocks. The fact that there were lots of Sheepheads around answered my question (these urchins are smart here in Catalina…lol). We scooted along moving in and out of the rocks, kelp and California Golden Gorgonian enjoying the scenery. When we got back on the boat the DM said that there was a Giant Black Sea Bass just in back of the boat (Damn!!) IMHO, if you are looking for lobster, this is the place to go.

It amazes me that dive boats even go to Italian Gardens this time of year. Personally I think it is one of the more boring dive sites off Catalina unless the giant sea bass are there. The kelp forest in the shallows isn't bad though.

You got it re: the urchins and sheephead. This is why it irks me when I see divers killing the urchins in our waters. They are not a problem at most sites.

Interesting that your DM said there was a GSB there. I've heard reports that one has been seen twice in the Casino Point Dive Park over the past 6-8 weeks. Off Anacapa about 2/3rds of them stick around the island during winter but go deep out of recreational dive limits. Maybe tjhey are starting to do that here as well.

Hen Rock:
As I was looking to go back into the next rock formation I noticed what looked like a long thin rope moving straight toward me. As it moved right past us we noticed it looked like a creature that was a cross between an anemone and a jelly fish in the shape of a rope. I just did some research and found that it was Apolemia (see enclosed picture) I have never seen this before. Another creature that was out in abundance was Warty Sea Cucumbers. As we were making our way back to the boat we ran into a HUGE Pacific Electric Ray which I made sure to stay at least 4 feet away from…..lol. Overall, I would say that this location was fantastic and I would love to go back again.

Appears to be the siphonophore Apolemia. You can look it up via a Google search to get more info about them. The electric rays have been in to feed on the squid. They've seen a number of them in the Hen Rock vicinity, mostly at night on lobster dives but during the day too!

 

[LLKZ16]

It amazes me that dive boats even go to Italian Gardens this time of year. Personally I think it is one of the more boring dive sites off Catalina unless the giant sea bass are there. The kelp forest in the shallows isn't bad though.

You got it re: the urchins and sheephead. This is why it irks me when I see divers killing the urchins in our waters. They are not a problem at most sites.

Interesting that your DM said there was a GSB there. I've heard reports that one has been seen twice in the Casino Point Dive Park over the past 6-8 weeks. Off Anacapa about 2/3rds of them stick around the island during winter but go deep out of recreational dive limits. Maybe tjhey are starting to do that here as well.




Appears to be the siphonophore Apolemia. You can look it up via a Google search to get more info about them. The electric rays have been in to feed on the squid. They've seen a number of them in the Hen Rock vicinity, mostly at night on lobster dives but during the day too!

To be honest with you, I wanted to open some urchins to feed the fish but after I saw what was going on in the eco system, I decided against it.

We also came across a Pegea confoederata Salp at Hen Rock too that I forgot to mention in my dive review.

 

[DiverBuoy]

coming to dana point in march. any suggestions on best way to dive the area?? there will be 2 of us.

thank you

If you drive about 20 min north of Dana Point ... to Laguna Beach there are about 15 decent beaches to dive from. Look at the posts here in the February Dive Reports thread for site names like Crescent, Woods, Shaws, Divers, Fishermans, Cress, Moss. The water will be 55 or lower in March so I recommend a REALLY good wetsuit or any drysuit. There is some diving in Dana Point but typically a bit more mucky due to the harbor and jetty.

Oh and if you have at least a day, you can take the catalina express for 52 bucks roundtrip to Avalon Dive Park at Casino Point, there are two dive shops to service you there.

By the way, welcome to Scubaboard, what's your experience level, diving background, interests, equipment etc?

 

[divinman]

Date: 02/08/2006
Dive Location: La Jolla Shores/ Marine Room Canyon
Buddy(ies): Tyler
Time: 07:13pm
Bottom Time: 60 minutes
Max Depth: 104ft
Vis: Solid 15ft with spots of 20 maybe
Wave height: 0-1, FLAT and calm
Temp at depth: 54F
Surface Temp:56F
Tide information: Didnt check
Gas mix: Air
Comments:

In celebration of yet another day alive, Tyler and I decided to make a night dive. We entered at the boat launch, kicked out and south and dropped in right near the canyon edge. From there we headed south. Tyler was the critter king tonight and spotting not one but TWO stubby squid. I took picture after picture until Tyler reminded me that I was not the ONLY DIVER on this trip. Also found tonight were two huge Dirona Picta, a Triopha Maculata, crabs of all varieties, a poor lobster with no legs and only one antenna. Bat rays, thornbacks and shovel-nosed rays. Ahh the list goes on and on. Great night of diving. This was my 169th dive at La Jolla Shores. Still not tired of diving here. Still find something new almost every dive.

Full Gallery is here : http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Scorpionfish/020606/

Terry

 

[HBDiveGirl]

Date: 02/08/2006
Dive Location: La Jolla Shores/ Marine Room Canyon
...In celebration of yet another day alive, Tyler and I decided to make a night dive....
...
Great night of diving. This was my 169th dive at La Jolla Shores. Still not tired of diving here. Still find something new almost every dive.

Full Gallery is here : http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Scorpionfish/020606/

Terry

Sweet report, Terry! Pure fun and joy. And terrific pictures. I bet that squid is still blinking Nice plump Sarcastic Fringehead. Beautiful nudibranchs. Thanks!
Claudette