They'rrre back!

[Rainer]

Saw our first Giant Sea Bass of the year at Casino Point today. Hoping this means more sightings again soon.

We made it out to Catalina on the 6:15am ferry and caught the 3:45pm back, the last one before they canceled the rest due to high winds and less than pleasant seas.

Conditions underwater weren't the best (bit of current, and poor-for-the-park visibility of 10-15'). Still, water was warm (63F) and in addition to the GSB, we also saw three bat rays, a handful of eels, a good number of nudis on the various wrecks, plus the usual park critters.

In the end, worth the hassle of hauling the doubles and scooters there.

Oh, and we had absolutely NO problems with the Catalina Express. As has always been the case for us, the staff went out of their way to be helpful.

 

[blue steal]

Thanks for the update.

 

[drbill]

They've actually been back for at least a month. I haven't seen one in the park yet, but I've filmed the two off the Pleasure Pier at the Rent-A-Boat stand. Was searching for underwater data loggers over in Descanso Bay two weeks ago. Visibility was about 3 ft due to lots of feeding bat rays. I saw what looked like a 12 ft long critter coming towards me and for a few nanoseconds my brain registered "great white" but as they came into view just beyond my nose it was a pair of giant sea bass swimming head to tail.

 

[vistasbelow]

I saw two GBSB on my first dive yesterday and one on my second dive. On the second dive the sea bass swam so close to me he almost hit me, it was awesome! too bad my camera was off and hanging off my bcd, by the time I un-clipped it and turned it on he was gone.

 

[Rainer]

Thanks for the update.

No problem!

They've actually been back for at least a month. I haven't seen one in the park yet, but I've filmed the two off the Pleasure Pier at the Rent-A-Boat stand. Was searching for underwater data loggers over in Descanso Bay two weeks ago. Visibility was about 3 ft due to lots of feeding bat rays. I saw what looked like a 12 ft long critter coming towards me and for a few nanoseconds my brain registered "great white" but as they came into view just beyond my nose it was a pair of giant sea bass swimming head to tail.

Nice!

I saw two GBSB on my first dive yesterday and one on my second dive. On the second dive the sea bass swam so close to me he almost hit me, it was awesome! too bad my camera was off and hanging off my bcd, by the time I un-clipped it and turned it on he was gone.

Where were you diving, Tim? Sounds like a great encounter!

 

[fnfalman]

Had to dig through my dive log, but I've spot a big one at Big Geiger, Catalina Island back in 6 March 2011. This one was at least 7-ft long because it dwarfed my buddy who is 6ft3. It wasn't in the mood for play though. We approached ever slowly and got to about maybe 5-ft from it and it turned away.

 

[drbill]

The really cool thing about the two of them that are hanging around the Joe's Rent-a-Boat float is that the non-diving public gets a chance to see these incredible fish. I've filmed them being hand fed there a few times.

 

[ScubaSam]

Chris - Do you have pics or a video? I always enjoy your dive videos.

 

[Rainer]

Sam, I forgot a connector for the video camera, so wasn't able to get any footage. Was a shame given some of the awesome animals we saw that day. Going back to Catalina this coming Sunday, so fingers crossed (and camera parts packed!).

 

[ScubaSam]

Sam, I forgot a connector for the video camera, so wasn't able to get any footage. Was a shame given some of the awesome animals we saw that day. Going back to Catalina this coming Sunday, so fingers crossed (and camera parts packed!).

You KNOW I dive vicariously through your videos. How absolutely selfish of you not to bring the connector!!! :shocked2: I am shocked, speechless, stunned!!!

Don't let it happen again!

Look forward to seeing your video after Sunday's dive.