Catalina spots

[scottyboy679]

Hey guys I was wondering if someone could give me a suggestions on where to go spearfishing in Catalina since I've had limited chances to go and one of my chances are coming up. I am staying in two harbors so any spots that are within dingy distance of that would be great

Thanks!

[unkabonka]

Ship rock! Seriously, you can't miss it. It's a big rock that looks like a ship... the other one looks like bird ... that one is closed.

Also Eagle Reef... its north of the harbor by about a mile or so....marked with a buoy, its submerged but there should be kelp visible there. Strong current in this area so beware.

And then otherwise any place along the shore NW of the isthmus will hold good calico/sheephead/halibut opportunities.

familiarize yourself with local closures:

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/pdfs/scmp...blucatlong.pdf

(dont worry about the thin blue strip NW of the isthmus, lion head to arrow point, just dont take any invertebrates).

And then of course, don't forget to POST A REPORT when you are done to give a little back to SB.

[32Juan]

Remember, the island lies east to west Eagle Reef is West of the isthmus. Plenty of good spots along the coast. Find some kelp and dive in! Also, watch put when anchoring at ship rock. Lots of boiler rocks, and its a steep drop off the sides. The currents can get pretty gnarly out there too. On the east side of the isthmus there is a small buoy that marks the start of the blue cavern MPA. Don't go past it.

[unkabonka]

Originally Posted by 32Juan

Remember, the island lies east to west Eagle Reef is West of the isthmus. .

I didn't forget . From the end of the pier it is 335 degrees, that is more north than it is west. If he went west he would end up in Iron Bound Cove

ok, that enough smartassing for one day.

[32Juan]

Touché

[FlyinJim]

Now I'm confused. Because it looked to me like you could take WSB and pelagic fish - yellowtails, in the MPA at Bird Rock and Farnsworth, by speargun. NO?

[unkabonka]

Originally Posted by FlyinJim

Now I'm confused. Because it looked to me like you could take WSB and pelagic fish - yellowtails, in the MPA at Bird Rock and Farnsworth, by speargun. NO?

What it says is what it says...except what it doesn't say

you can "take WSB and pelagic fish - yellowtails, [etc]" IN THE BIRD ROCK SMCA.... but the BIRD ROCK SMCA does NOT include bird rock itself! Look at the GPS coordinates. This has been discussed ad nauseum here.

I don't know where you are getting the prohibition on spearing at farnsworth from...it is allowed. Studying this MLPA crap takes some time and recoignition of the extremely convoluting and bothersome nuance that defines it.

[32Juan]

Don't worry, you are not alone in being confused. It took me a while to figure out the regs, and I'm still not 100% on all of them. Charlie Foxtrot

[Deadmanh]

One of the tools you could also use are the google earth maps with a $5 donation to Waterman's Alliance.
http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=142128


I'm also tagging along cause I'd like to do the same thing soon. How are you getting there? via Ferry?

[scottyboy679]

Thanks for the replies! I will definitely check out those spots you mentioned and leave a report for you guys. As for my means of transportation, I am sailing over there and staying in a mooring for a couple nights.

And another question:

I saw a pretty good size angel shark out at catalina last time and I was contemplating shooting it, any ideas what the regulations are on it and how do u you fillet/cook it?

[Mike Eberhardt]

Originally Posted by scottyboy679

Thanks for the replies! I will definitely check out those spots you mentioned and leave a report for you guys. As for my means of transportation, I am sailing over there and staying in a mooring for a couple nights.

And another question:

I saw a pretty good size angel shark out at catalina last time and I was contemplating shooting it, any ideas what the regulations are on it and how do u you fillet/cook it?

4th tab in from the right on any page in Spearboard in the "Search" function. Check it out, it's incredibly useful.

[32Juan]

You can shoot them, if you're willing to deal with the possible consequences.
http://spearboard.com/showthread.php...ht=Angel+shark

I've never shot one, but they're definitely around. I saw one a couple of days ago.

[Fin Fever]

walk across the isthmus to the backside (Cat Harbor) then walk out the dirt road on the left of Cat Harbor. when you get to the rocks, swim out to the left, there are great kelp beds and rocky structure out there. You will see Pin rock just off the beach. Also if you want to cross cat harbor to the other side, that is catalina head on the west side of the Cat Harbor entrance. You can follow that to the west for a great drop-off then lobster bay and Cape Cortes.

Myself, I prefer these backside areas over the front. Much less boat traffic, and much less fishing pressure.

[scottyboy679]

So i went over last thursday and came back on saturday. the forecast called for strong winds but it wasnt too bad. The viz was a little hazy in some parts so I mostly just spearfishing 4th of July Cove and Cherry one day, and then made my way to Emerald on saturday when the winds died down. In Cherry and 4th of July it was about 10 ft viz on the surface and 20 towards the bottom. Emerald was the best on saturday with about 25 ft viz at the surface and around 35 ft towards the bottom. Couldnt find any halibuts which was what I was looking for the whole time but walked away with a couple sculpin, a sargo, sheepshead, three calico, and a rockfish. Didnt see anything too crazy as far as WSB go. Well anyways this is my report, sorry if it isnt that great, my first attempt at one :P

[32Juan]

Great report, although I'm sure someone will give you flak for "posting about their spots." Thanks for the heads up, and let me know when you'll be around next time.