North Coast Abalone Dive

[Skillet]

Got back from the north coast last night with our limit in tow. Few pics from the weekend.

Apparently it was minus tide so the place was packed with every rock-picking freak on the west coast. There were more game wardens than you could shake a stick at and they were writing LOTS of citations. They actually had the HWY 1 abalone check point up all weekend stopping every car.

My friends and myself never check the tides, not a big deal to us.
We actually prefer high tide as you don't have to traverse the slippery rocks as much. Next time I am checking so as to avoid the throngs of fair-weather ab fans.

 

[stevenmd]

Nice!:chowtime:

 

[pismo62]

That looks oh so good. What was the actual spot, (unless it a secret)? Then again if there are game wardens about, it can't be that secret. :chowtime:

 

[Skillet]

That looks oh so good. What was the actual spot, (unless it a secret)? Then again if there are game wardens about, it can't be that secret. :chowtime:

Not a secret. We go there because it is actually pretty rough and not many people venture where we get in the water so the pickins' are never slim.

Reef Campground just south of Fort Ross.

If you go north out of Jenner about 10 miles, look for a big barn on your left, just past that is the campground. You can drive out onto the cliff by the ranger kiosk and park. Hike down on the north side of the cove and out to the point, get in and enjoy your hunt.

And yes, there are ALWAYS wardens around there so have your ducks in a row.

:beer:

 

[kcowyo]

I thought it was up in the Fort Bragg area.

And it looks like somebody got a new RTT.....eepwall:

 

[Skillet]

I thought it was up in the Fort Bragg area.

No, about 50 mi south of Bragg, I believe. Bragg is good though, although that is where the guy got bitten in half about 2 years ago by a GW while ab diving. Oh well, you enter the food chain whenever you get in the ocean.
:chowtime:

And it looks like somebody got a new RTT.....eepwall:

My, my...we are observant aren't we?

Yes, I must confess, and I like it very much. Trying to show it off a little in those pics, if you could not tell.

I was actually going to post on the gear forum about it when I got a chance and maybe do one more trip with it for more information.

 

[blupaddler]

And it looks like somebody got a new RTT.....eepwall:

Yeah, did I miss something somewhere?
Is that the Car-Top-Tent model?
How do you like it?
Most importantly, how thick is the mattress? My Eezi-Awn is too thin (IMHO)





















Oh...mmmm...abalone. Actually I have never tried the stuff. But I had a squid sandwich today for lunch.

:shakin: :shakin: :shakin:

 

[Skillet]

Yeah, did I miss something somewhere?
Is that the Car-Top-Tent model?
How do you like it?
Most importantly, how thick is the mattress? My Eezi-Awn is too thin (IMHO)

It is the CTT / RTT / whatever he goes by. The Expedition model.

I know, I know... people are saying it ripped off the Eezi-Awn or one of those tents in design, but it works for me as I just did not have an extra 1600 clams lying around.

So far, the workmanship seems good and it is much more well thought out than the Mombasa was with MUCH better material and attention to detail. Oh, and the new ladder design is very nice. Also, I got the changing/shower room but have not tried it out yet.

I am sure that if you did a side by side with Eezi -Awn it would fall short but oh well. I am a simple man.

Matress is 2.5" thick and was great. Only two nights in it so far but they were great nights.

Oh...mmmm...abalone. Actually I have never tried the stuff. But I had a squid sandwich today for lunch.

:shakin: :shakin: :shakin:

You have to come up and eat some abalone with us. You will see why it is $100 per lb on the black market and squid is about $6 per lb. Squid is still good though.

 

[pismo62]

Skillet, Thanks for filling me in on the spot. I'll have to get up there someday. I have'nt had abalone in a long time. I'm sure the picts. down do justice to how good it tastes. Enjoy

 

[ElToro]

I'm going at the tid on june 15. my 93 year Grandfather cant go any more but we have ahuge family party. he had been doing it for about 50 years. I have dived a few times with some frineds from work, mostly rock pick for about teh last 15 years. A few summers ago i got half my annual 24 limit over a span of 1 month, i was handing it out in vaccum packed frozen packages to all my friends in the know... i had many new friends any way. ab meat is awesome. One thing to do is right there on the beach take a coleman stove, pop 1 of the abs slice up some ab meat real thin mix in some chees and make a abalone relleno stuff into pre-emtied chiles and fry quickly.. freaking awesome after a cold dive...

I'm just too paranoid to go solo and getting friednds to go is a pain. I have no boat.

Looks like you got at least 1 nice 8 incher.

 

[Skillet]

Looks like you got at least 1 nice 8 incher.

8.5" :littlefriend:


The other two were 7.75"


I have done the chile thing before, though not at the water's edge.

Yum.