Abel Tasman

5th December 2004

Meeting at 8am Saturday Jan, Brian, Mark and myself set off from Kaiteriteri following Rick, Steve, Stu, Neil, Nicola and Chris in the best weather conditions available for an adventure along the Abel Tasman National Park coastline.

Our first stop was Tonga Island too see what really big crayfish should look like. Bob and Nigel were in the water first. While they were down a friendly local kayaker joined us to inquire as to the type of sea life below. Bob and Nigel were soon back with us and telling us of large cod and huge crayfish. Bob said he saw one giant quite happily sitting out in the open, great to be living in the reserve.  Daniel and I hit the water next, and although we didn’t see the same monster Bob had spied, there were a lot of big granddaddy crays under the rocks.

Saying hooray to the friendly kayaker we motored on up to Separation Point to attempt catch some of these beauties. Bob and Nigel were first in again and after thirty minutes search returned with two keepers. It turned out to be the same situation as John and crew struck on the Saturday……………the crays were all tucked away well under the rocks with plenty of escape routes.  Daniel and I had a go south of this point and returned with the same verdict, arms not long enough. But the crays we did see tucked underneath those rocks were all very good sizes.

Motoring south we had a quick look at Bark Bay reef. No sign of bugs here so we carried on further south and had a dive just past The Anchorage. This was more encouraging and a couple more keepers were landed after all four of us had covered the area.  The fishing was pretty dismal as I managed to lose three rigs in the space of twenty minutes. There were a few good strikes but sadly no fish were bought home.

Back at Kaiteriteri, cleaned up the boat a bit, and with a cherio to Daniel, and Bob, Nigel and myself were away home. Good to see new members out on the club trips.  A gratifying trip to “see” that the crayfish are around in good numbers. Most probably due to their safe habitat. We will be back!

Happy and safe diving.

Cheers.

Angus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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