Cape Koamaru Mar 03
Meeting at six o’clock and the weather forecast looking pretty favorable for an outer sounds trip, Paul, Shep, Murray and myself headed off to Picton. A comfortable trip over the hill we met up with Alistair and were on our way by around 8.45am. With flat calm conditions we were at Cape Koamaru some 45 minutes later. Around the Cape and south a little bit, Alistair, Paul and myself were in the water. We hit the bottom at about 8 metres gave the OK signal and Paul and myself had our first crays in the catch bag in a couple of minutes. Alistair watched closely as he was a virgin cray hunter. The viz was pretty good and the catches patchy, but all of a reasonable size (no giants though). The holes were a bit difficult to find as the rock formations were well covered by kelp. At one hole I managed to pull out three crays……….two were good keepers the other was returned to the comfort of his rock. Time up and back to the surface. On board the catch was great for Paul and myself, but Alistair still remained in virgin territory as a cray hunter. Shep and Murray were next in the water a little bit further south. While they were down the fishing rods were put into action, but there was not much activity here. With the return of Murray first, a wee way away as he had been towed by the current. Next a watchful eye soon located Shep and he was back on board with a good catch. After a brief conference on witch direction to move it was decided south a little bit, and close to shore to keep out of the rips. Paul and myself grabbed our spearguns and Alistair followed at a safe distance. Paul located a nice weedy rock and settled in for a butterfish hunt. I moved away a bit and found a nice position to entice the fishies. Fifteen minute later with a couple of tarakihi and a good size cod I moved on a bit and bagged one more good sized cray to bring up the catch numbers. Back on board after a count up and discussion Shep and Murray were happy not to do a second dive but to cruise over to a secret fishing spot of Sheps'. As it turned out this possie is so secret not even the fish know about it! Time up and we headed back to Waikawa Bay. On the way we cruised into Bay Of Many Coves and were met with an impressive sight of the super yacht “Alumercia”. They were jet skiing and skiing from their tender. Maybe we could charter this boat for our next dive trip! Check out “Alumercia” website………very impressive.
Well back in Waikawa, a divy up of the catch, Alistair headed off in search of a new tyre to replace the one he wrecked getting there. Paul, myself, Murray and Shep had a debrief at the Waikawa office before they headed off to a house warming in Picton, and Paul and myself returned to Nelson.
A most enjoyable days diving and fishing especially as the weather was awesome and the water flat calm. A great day had by those who ventured out.
Happy, safe diving
Angus
