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Saw Your Cover Picture with the Giant Black Seabass
Hi Dale,
Thought I would share a picture taken of me and a big guy on November 1st at Italian Gardens. What an incredible dive! Not quite as clear as your picture, but it’s pretty cool—and it made my Dad jealous as anything!
Take care - see you in June!
Susan Long-Holland
Vice President / Chief Operating Officer
Diving Unlimited International, Inc.
San Diego, California
Praises from North Coast Dive Club
Hello Dale,
I have been reading your publication for many years now and find it a most valuable publication.
Thanks,
Dan
Barbary Coast Divers
Bass May Be Mating at Sharkbite Rock
Hello Kim,
You mentioned in your article about Sharkbite Rock (May issue) that mating Black Seabass have not been observed. A few years ago at that very site, I saw a five foot female sitting on the sand while a six foot male swam tight circles around her, much like the mating ritual of Grunions. The male noticed me and swam over to within inches of my face, then returned to the female and made a few more “laps.” This continued for five minutes, then they swam into deeper water together. I’m not sure if they were mating, but it was fascinating to witness.
Phil Garner
http://members.cox.net/pacificcoast101/
Success at La Paz Dive Site
Dale and Kim,
A year or so ago you published an article “La Paz Gets Two New Wreck Sites” regarding the sinking of the Fang Ming and the Lapas #3 along the western shores of Isla Espirito Santo north of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. Recently, I was on a private boat dive trip out of La Paz, and we were lucky enough to locate the Fang Ming. It sits upright in about 72 feet of water with the top of the ship’s tower around 20 feet deep. Already there is an abundance of sea life surrounding it, including many fish and a remarkably well established colony of scallops. It’s an easy dive and worth a stop on the way to Los Islotes. For your readers reference, the lat/lon coordinates are 24 26 70 X 110 22 87.
Keep up the good work. I look forward to each issue of your publication.
John Ulrich
Huntington Beach
Mini-Lobster Mob at Pt. Dume?
Dear Editor:
Love your publication. I encountered something odd on Sunday, May 5th at Point Dume beach. Perhaps you can explain it. My buddy and I went spearfishing in the morning. As we walked along the beach to our intended entry point, we noticed the high tide line, from one end of the cove to the other, was covered with tens of thousands of 1"-2" red soft shelled crustaceans that had washed up in the surf. Most of them had flipped over on their backs and were stranded by the receding tide. The animals looked like mini lobsters, swam backwards with their powerful little tails like lobsters, and even tried to back into rock crevices like lobsters. Were they lobsters? The only reason I’m unsure is that their front legs had claws just like a Maine lobster (and they sure pinched hard). Do they molt at this time of year? What’s up with the two front claws? Is this evidence of an exotic species taking root?
Strangely, no birds feasted on the little red guys. Unfortunately we didn’t have a camera so I can’t submit a photo. Since the visibility in the water sucked, my buddy and I decided to do the environment a favor and we spent hours putting thousands of the bugs back into the ocean. Unfortunately the fog had burned off and the tide had receded such that thousands of other bugs died from dehydration before we could save them. Did we do the right thing? I’m hoping the sea gods will reward me with a bountiful legal size lobster harvest this fall!
Don Rory
Santa Monica, CA
Don,
What you encountered was a beaching of pelagic red crabs. While phenomenon of this nature is uncommon, it is not rare. These crabs live offshore in deep water over sand and mud bottoms. They are also frequently found up in the water column, drifting and feeding in the currents. Currents shift, however, and sometimes leave the small crabs stranded on the beach. Strandings are most common during times of the climatic condition known as El Niño which is predicted for this year.
Editor
Italian Wives Underwater
Dear CDN,
Being of Scots/English ancestry my communication education was sorely lacking until I married my Italian wife. Learning to fish with my grandfather meant four hours of saying nothing and never knowing if what I was doing was correct or incorrect. With my wife the position of her hands in my face let me know exactly if I am in trouble or not long before any words are uttered, and there is never any doubt as to what her opinion is on any subject. Loved your editorial, now I know I am not alone.
Fred Gilbert
via e-mail
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Return to Cover Page/Contents for June 2002 issue