Abalone

scared78 · May-03-2006, 06:16 AM

Went up to Nor-Cal last weekend camping and Abalone picking. Didn't feel an urgent need to post a report because they're not moving too fast!

It was only my second time up there. The first time I waited for a minus tide and picked them by wading around the tide pools. This time I showed up during an incoming tide and decided what the heck, I might as well try to freedive for them. It took me a while to figure it out, but it's not to hard. There were plenty of legal abalone, the larger models are hard to find. I got my limit fairly easy, actually easy enough I didn't want to get out of the water when I was done. So I cruised around a bit. Didn't see much. A lingcod sitting in a crack, and a bunch of blue rockfish and perch. Kinda spooky out there knowing what can happen in 10" of water.

I went to a place called Ocean Cove. It's in Sonoma County. It has a small area to launch dinghys and every other campsite had a zodiak. I guess they're the best for beach launching and diving off. Other people had kayaks. I didn't have jack, just a surf suit, ab iron, mask+snorkel, 7" guage.

It was super fun, highly recommended. The only thing is the ocean can get angry quick up there. I think that's why so many people just shorepick at low tide. It was blowing stink outside the first day. Absolutely Howling out there. Luckily it didn't hit the beach until about 3pm. I guess it's just a windy place up there.

What was really classic was the Abalone Hunter subculture of crusty divers and salty shorepickers hanging out talking story in front of the store. I never realized what's really going on up there. I guess I need to get up to Northern California more.

Ocean Cove

seagipsy · May-04-2006, 02:21 PM

...subculture...we are "THE" Culture. Come on up and enter the food chain of NorCal. Even when it is rough you can find protected areas to get in. Try and get away from the masses...way bigger abs. The amount of meat on a 9-10" is way more than a 7". I'm glad you had a good time. PM me if you are coming up. I might be suiting up.

Cheers!

scared78 · May-05-2006, 06:43 AM

Seriously, I never realized it was such a big deal. Almost every campsite there had wetsuits hanging up. Must be quite a bit of pressure around there. I assume further from the bay area is better.

SAGE · May-05-2006, 07:21 AM

Yeah at $ 100 a lb. it's a big , big deal.
Go dive up towards Crescent City and N. of Fort Bragg. The place is paradise.
I'll take the " Abalone Hunter subculture of crusty divers and salty shorepickers" over the arrogant cappuccino sipp'en yuppie sol cal crowd anyday.

BatRay · May-05-2006, 10:48 AM

Meet you at Starbucks in an hour Sage

SAGE · May-05-2006, 11:06 AM

Ryan ...i'm here already. I'm on my wireless blue tooth satellite internet hook up, pounding coffee and speaking way too loudly on my cell phone. Make sure to slap me on the back of the head and say hi next time you stop by : )

scared78 · May-05-2006, 04:58 PM

"I'll take the " Abalone Hunter subculture of crusty divers and salty shorepickers" over the arrogant cappuccino sipp'en yuppie sol cal crowd anyday."

I couldn't agree more Sage. I really want to venture further north. I was amazed at the amount of abs even where I was. Being from central california i've heard all the stories about the abalone, but they're just a legend now. Heck Morro Bay has landfill on the waterfront made of crushed abalone shells. The won't ever be thick around here again with all of our otters. I was impressed with the quantity up there. Definitely a resource worth protecting.