Kaikoura

21st - 23rd May 2004

KAIKOURA – 21st – 23rd May 2004

 

The Charter boat was cancelled due to the rough weather but John had a ring around and got a team together to head away. So John, Angus and Ross set off to Picton to pick up Bob who had been working in the Sounds and then off to Barnacle Bills we went. On arrival Bill had some tasty morsels awaiting us with some Kaikoura cheese, gherkins, pickled onions and snacks as well as smoked marlin!!! After a little snack we headed down to the New Commercial Hotel for some tea and to check out our seats for the super 12 final. We also had a wee sortie into town to check out the night life before returning to base at a reasonable hour with the next days diving on our minds.

 

Despite a bleak weather forecast which predicted strong southerlies Saturday dawned calm but cool. After a hearty and a light drizzle shower and once Bill was ready we headed out into South Bay to the first of the X spots where all managed to catch some reasonable size crays ….. well almost everyone! There were plenty about but a lot of females in berry but also plenty of Moki and butterfish and a few curses about leaving the slings and spear guns behind. Visibility was reasonable at 3-5 metres and it was pleasing to hear reports of nurseries full of plenty of tiny crayfish to replace stocks in the future. We headed to Bill’s second spot after untangling ourselves from a cray pot line, but this proved much less fruitful and the water was very silty.

 

We headed in for lunch and Bill provided a feast fit for Kings with fresh Groper and blue cod the order of the day. After another check of the weather it was back into the wetsuits and one dry suit!! and we headed back into South Bay for another dive. Bill, Bob, Angus & John dived in but came back with only a few takers but reports of excellent country with caves, caverns, swim throughs, plenty of fish life and a few large crays sitting well out of harms way. The Viz was great although the water was darkened at times by a massive school of tiny fish blocking out the sunlight.

 

So it was back to base, a warm shower and off to the pub for dinner and the big game – but enough said about that. Can we remember that guy Ben Blair (Poor Bugger)? A few other night spots were visited and great times had with tourists and locals before good use was made of Tom Smith’s track in early hours of the morning (and total darkness!!)

 

Later next morning it was in for another dive but silt line from the overnight rain was too quick for us and beat us back to Bill’s with no further bounty. So we had a count up, a clean up, said our goodbyes to Bill and headed for home after a great weekend with a good catch.

 

Yes – last of all, a big thank you to Bill for the use of his boat and his hospitality, and thanks to John for the transport.

 

ROSS

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