Read on...
A weekend with Donny Hooper....
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Well I was lucky enough to score a ride out to the island for the Long Beach Neptune’s annual Fall Classic on Scott’s (Bamz) boat along with the infamous Don Paul, who shall affectionately be known as Donny Hooper from here on out. Conditions were less than ideal on the ride out and we were socked in with fog about 6nm out from the island and had about a quarter of a mile of visibility. Our first spot on Friday was one of the better dives I have had in a while, most likely due to the fact that we had more than 20ft of visibility. I was lucky enough to manage two day bugs one being well over legal. The rest of Friday was a great day and before nightfall I had gotten two more daytime bugs, but no fish on board. Friday night we went for a dive at our anchorage and conditions had worsened and Scott and I both stuck out.
Saturday was competition day and we had put in a hard day of diving. I managed to shoot a barracuda at the first spot just to be ‘in’ contention for the trophy. We had moved to another spot which felt very fishy and lively. I had managed to blow a shot on an 8+lb calico bass which would have taken first in its category… grr. I was able to shoot two decent calicos that always seem bigger under water and a PB sandbass. We pulled the hook and went to another spot where I was able to grab two more daytime bugs. We decided to stick around and dive a bit more since we didn’t have any quality fish for the weigh in but came up empty.
The party was fun at two harbors, but we were all so tired, we bailed and got much needed sleep.
Sunday was a very nice relaxing day. We dove two spots and they were absolutely beautiful dives. We didn’t get anything on Sunday with the exception of Donny Hooper’s pelagics… I also did a DNF to 30’. Just a step at a time…
It was a great weekend and I learned a ton from Don Paul and Scott.
On a side note, I was able to try some Pursuit gear. I tried the C90s and the weight vest and was very impressed. If I wasn’t dropping 2k on diving this month, I’d have ordered them both by now.
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Davis, it was a pleasure having you and "Donny" on the boat! The weekend was alot of fun! I don't guage the success of a trip by the amount of fish, but by the experience, commeraderie, and memerories. This trip had all three! Thanks again for the filets and bug, dinner was amazing last night!!
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Wow.... that sounds awesome! Good job guys! I was out at Cat two weeks ago and the barracuda were in thick.... no cbass seen.
The best trips are all about who is with you. They can turn an otherwise crappy trip into a wonderful day on the water. Thanks for sharing.
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Fun times..:thumbsup2:
Pic #2 is :laughing3::laughing3::laughing3:
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Where is double trouble?
nice pics
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Nice lobster.
What's "a DNF to 30' "?
C
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Sounds like you guys still had a good time.
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Where is double trouble?
nice pics
DoubleTrouble was back in her gun case in the cabin. I was having right hand issues, (check out the swelling on the 2nd pic)
Donny Hopper
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WTG Davis , Im glad to hear your a LBN Tenitive , awsome club with soo much cool History ,,, cheers Joe
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Nice lobster.
What's "a DNF to 30' "?
C
It's just a no fin freedive to 30 feet. Just using a breast stroke to propel your self.
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haha even with the tried and true fish pose that yellowtail still looks like a sardine :laughing3:
But the weather sure was great out there this weekend. Sunny and warm, perfect for good times on the island :thumbsup2:
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Nice report guys. Looks like a fun time even without big fish.
No fin diving is fun. 30 is about my best also
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Nice report Davis, and great pics, looks like a beautiful day. Da' pose lives
Take care of that hand Don. -
nice
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haha even with the tried and true fish pose that yellowtail still looks like a sardine :laughing3:
But the weather sure was great out there this weekend. Sunny and warm, perfect for good times on the island :thumbsup2:
No fish were harmed in the making of '' Da pose''.:D
Cheers, Don
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It was a great weekend! Good catching up with you, as well as Bamz & Don. Definitely a fun time, and thanks to the Neptunes for organizing the event.
Saw 3 WSB on Friday during our scout session, but of course when we returned, not a single fish left. Having commercial lobster guys churn through the kelp didn't help out.
Still, great times, fun event, and plenty of beer/wine after!
Dive safe- -
Thats no yellowtail you cheaters, thats a spanish makeral! Sounded like a great trip and write up, congrats on the yummy bugs
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Thats no yellowtail you cheaters, thats a spanish makeral! Sounded like a great trip and write up, congrats on the yummy bugs
No Shite you Genus Species Nazi:D and those monsters were skillfully landed on 6lb test. I was just trying to feed all of Davis's bugs he left starving in the bait tank.:D
Cheers Donny
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