7/24/10 Report- Islas CoroNADAs

It's been a while since I've dove from a boat so I had a ton of fun! I had forgotten how convenient boat diving was. You can really hit a ton of different places all in the same day. Just exploring the island again and getting to dive someplace new made that trip all worth while. Can't wait to dive the Islands again.

I'll be sure to post a pic of my whitefish later.

cool guys, at least your getting out there

Here's a little story about my closest yellowtail encounter to date (from this dive).

Jumping in the water I looked to the outboard engine and noted the limited visibility at a murky fifteen to eighteen feet. It was bad, but I've seen worse. So we decided to give it a shot. Alex made a quick b-line for shore, while I stayed out in the deeper water hoping to find some roaming yellowtail.

First I took a test dive to clear the air from my wetsuit. After calming my breath at the surface I looked into the murk again and took my second dive. Entering below I pushed through the hazy water. As I sunk deeper in the light quickly faded from grey blue to a dull green. Reaching my neutral buoyancy at around 25ft I found myself surrounded by a cloud of small white string like particles. These floating fragments pushed back my view to a mere twelve feet of limited visibility. Trying not to focus on the particles floating in front of me I looked beyond. What I saw was emptiness. A barren expanse that completely encapsulated me. It felt like I was in my own viewing bubble that the ocean created just for me. Turning my head to the left I saw more of the same. Turning to the right I almost jumped in the water! Around fifteen yellowtail swimming together in a herd were passing in front of me from the right. Just on the edge of visibility each of their bright yellow bodies were beautifully unmistakable. They were each six to eight pounds. This was just what I wanted to see! Slowly but steadily they arched their way around me. As I watched them I held off my shot. Had I a different gun I could have shot them at first sight. Unfortunately my current bands were very old. They could still deliver a hefty punch, but the momentum of the shaft was far too slow for long distance shots. With this in mind I waited for a single yellowtail to wonder in closer. But by the time the yellows reached my left I saw the first fish disappear from my field of view and the rest began to follow suit. I panicked and instantly strummed my rubber bands. I've done this many times in the past and it's never worked for me. But this time it did! Without even changing pace the school did a complete U-turn, swimming back to investigate the noise. This time they approached even closer to me, while still keeping their distance. It was now or never! The yellows were all the same size so I picked the closest one in the middle and fired! Shaft flies, school scatters, and I swim to the surface for air. Looking down, fearing my bands were still too weak, I hopefully starred at the shooting line for movement. Movement that would tell me I had a fish on the line. I waited but alas no movement and no fish.

Normally I get bummed out missing a fish, but today I felt great. The encounter in itself was something that had never happened to me before. It just felt amazing being that close to a school of yellowtail. A new experience is just as exciting as a great fish.

But next time I'll come better prepared. I've got the new bands at home I just need to put a little sit down time into putting them on the gun. Hopefully before the season is over I'll have my first yellowtail in the bag!

Thanks for the report guys.

Quote from spearstuff

Here's a little story about my closest yellowtail encounter to date (from this dive).

Nice pic Daniel!

whats cali yellowtail meat like? ( as a compasrison with other fish)

Quote from ladvr

Nice pic Daniel!

Sorry I should have mentioned that's not my pic. I grabbed that off of one of Dam's videos. I only saw the yellowtail once so I didn't have time to take a picture of them.

Quote from sdeisen

whats cali yellowtail meat like? ( as a compasrison with other fish)

Other then Tuna, Yellowtail is my favorite fish to eat and hunt. They have meat compared to a young AJ but better. and with out the worms and grainy texture of larger AJs.

Thanks for the Island update Ryddragyn.
Cheers, Don

thanks don

Quote from sdeisen

thanks don

My Fav YT and Tuna dinner... after Sushi.
1. Cut 3'' square and 1'' thick.
2. Wrap with Boar's Head bacon pinned with tooth picks.
3. Melt 3 clove diced garlic, juice from 1 lemon, 1/3 stick butter in small metal cup. (No microwave)
4.Brush fish with baste top and bottom.
5. Barrbi on med heat app 5 min per side till golden brown.
6. Use a Wee Bit of Guinness to put out large flame outs.
7.Pepper to taste.
8.Serve with fresh dill sauce on the side.
9. Drink any left over Guinness.
Cheers, Don

Here's the picture of my PB whitefish

Thanks for the report guys