Jade Cove Update

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Otto

We took advantage of a fine break in the weather a couple of weeks ago and took a quick trip to Jade Cove.  We noticed a couple of changes there, so this is an update of our November/December blogs. 

First, the Jade Cove sign on the highway marking the south cove is gone — now neither cove has the path to the beach clearly identified with a road sign.  Second, the paths to both the north and south cove are the same, but the stiles over the fence are gone, and so is the fence.  The paths are easy to find, however, with the north cove path just across from the south end of Plaskett Creek Campground, and the south cove path about 200 yards south of that where there is a wide dirt shoulder area to park.  Finally, the campground has new and much improved toilet facilities, which is another recent update.  Other than that, it’s still the same rustic and beautiful place it’s always been.

The full text of the Jade Cove Dive Log is published as an article in the new (March/April) issue of California Diver Magazine, which features Jade Cove as one of California’s great diving destinations.  There are also several terrific pictures of the cove included in the article.  The magazine should be available at local dive shops this week, or you can access their website (www.californiadiver.com) for subscription information or to purchase a single copy. 

And here’s the map that goes with that article:

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Thoughts on the end of the Lobster Season

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Otto

It’s always a crapshoot when you try to pick a hot spot to catch bugs before the season closes. We all know they could be hiding almost anywhere, but here are my best guesses.  Weather and swell permitting, I’d focus on my best shallow water sites.  The end of lobster season often coincides with when these tasty crustaceans move into shallower water to molt. During this period it’s not unusual to take animals making new shell, or with soft bodies after just shedding. If this season follows that trend, then I’d try some of the following dive sites.

Boat Divers

Both rock piles just outside the Marina Del Rey breakwater are worth a shot. If nothing is there, you’ll find out without burning too much air or wasting serious bottom time. Roland’s, another circular rock pile off the north end of the Santa Monica breakwater is also a good possibility. These sites have been posted on my previous blogs in case you haven’t already noted them in your own log books.

Sites not posted on the blog, but available through my published dive log, include Topanga Canyon outside bubbles and inside small holes as a general area, the sites north of long wharf, and especially the rock fingers and ledges off Will Rogers State Beach. I wouldn’t overlook Moonshadows reef either.

Both the Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica breakwaters are good night diving spots that should produce well if you like doing it in the dark.

If there’s a large swell, and visibility in shallow water sucks, then you’re pretty much on your own. My best guesses would include the outside bubble area at Topanga Canyon, Moonshadows reef, or the outside bubble hole.

Beach Divers

The large rocky areas in 25 to 30 feet of water south of Sunset Blvd point or directly outside that point in 25 to 40 feet of water, are both good possibilities. I would also look in the shallow rocks in 15 to 30 feet of water south of the south end of Topanga canyon. These areas and maps are in my published dive log. Another good possibility that is not in my blog but easy to find is the beach access gate south of Moonshadows Restaurant, working to the north through the shallow rocks there. Outside of Santa Monica Bay try the blog listings for Malibu Road, or head south and dive along Palos Verdes Peninsula wherever you can find access. The Santa Monica breakwater is usually a good night dive, and it’s easily accessible from the beach.

If there’s a large swell and visibility is restricted in shallow water, beach diving pretty much sucks everywhere.  Maybe it’s time to buy a ticket on a boat to the islands.

Here’s hoping lobster season was good for you this year, and that next season will be even better. We’ll continue the blog with featured diving sites elsewhere, and information on some cool fishing and diving vacations you might want to consider.

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Ventura-Los Angeles County Line Beach

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Otto

County Line Beach has been a favorite dive site of mine ever since I first learned to dive.  This site is located off Pacific Coast Highway less than a mile north of Leo Carrillo camp ground and about three miles south of Sycamore Canyon.  There’s plenty of parking along the highway or in the dirt lot at the point just north of the beach across from Yorba Buena Road.  There are portable potties available in this lot, and there’s a small restaurant across the street, too.  This point is a popular point for surfers, so take that into account before picking a spot to enter the water.  Before the rules changed we took a lot of red abalone from here, but now that’s history.  It’s still a versatile spot for other game though, or just a pretty place for a fun dive if you don’t want to drag around a spear gun or a game bag.

The entry is a gentle sloping sand beach that’s easy unless the surf is pounding.  The large kelp bed directly off the main beach features a progression of large pinnacle rocks, especially along the outside edge of the kelp.  There are a number of these large pinnacles outside of the kelp in 40 to 60 feet of water, but it’s a long swim unless you’re boat diving, have a kayak, or elect to ride a float.  This is a good area to hunt for rock scallops, rockfish, and calico and sand bass.  I’ve also taken a fair number of lobsters out here, especially in and around the deeper pinnacles.  The visibility is usually the best in this deeper water, too. 

 Inside, under the kelp canopy, there are a number of smaller pinnacles along with smaller rock and gravel patches.  Scallops aren’t as plentiful, but spear fishing is good for the rest of the finny critters already mentioned.  There are lobsters all through here, but if hunting them was my goal, I’d work the scattered rocks in the shallow kelp bed just off the north point parking lot if the visibility is acceptable.

The area between the beach and the inside edge of the kelp features patches of sand, gravel, and eel grass, and it’s a great place to look for halibut if the visibility is okay.  Unfortunately, that’s not too often because the dirt kicked up in the surf line usually gets trapped by the inside edge of the kelp bed making this area a restricted visibility dive except for the few rare days when there’s little or no swell. 

County Line makes for a great beach diving area anytime, but especially if you’re camping nearby.  The beach is also a good place for non-diving friends and relatives to hang while you’re out there blowing bubbles.  Try it, there’s a lot to like.

Next week, I’ll post my prognostications for hunting lobster as the season nears its end.  Until then, safe diving!

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