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View Full Version : ABALONE DIVING - MENDOCINO CO. 5/19



diamondbear
05-20-2007, 03:20 PM
I left yucaipa for a one way 10 hour drive [ 604 miles ] to Fort Bragg in Mendocino Co. [ three hour drive north of san francisco ] it was a low tide weekend [ -1.4 at 8:00 in the morn. ] on the north coast and the water was reported to be pretty calm and flat this diving weekend , it turned out to be the second best water conditions ive ever dove in , water vis. at about 15 ft. and even better at high tide [ 20-25 ft. ] no waves or surge just Abalone everywhere . water temp. was a little cool at 49 deg. but a 2 peice 7 mm wet suit kept me warm. alot of rock pickers working the shallows for smaller abs. but i was diving on the outer reef at laguna point in about 15-20 ft. [ deeper water bigger abs. ] at MACKERRICHER State Park . great park , at water edge , hot water showers [ for the girls of course ] clean rest rooms and camping along the forest . Fort Bragg has all kinda stuff to see and do between diving , alot of family orinated activities . i got my limit of abs [ 3 ] in just minutes as ive been here before , but just floated and kicked around to see where the abs are hiding . // db http://fishingnetwork.net/images/tmp2/IMG_0224_1_8_1.JPG http://fishingnetwork.net/images/tmp2/IMG_0227_1_1_1.JPG
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a 29 year old guy drowned here in 2003 diving for abalone http://fishingnetwork.net/images/tmp2/IMG_0240_1_1_1.JPG
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my limit of three [ 24 yearly ] 2 @ 9 .25 and 1 @ 8.25 http://fishingnetwork.net/images/tmp2/IMG_0250_1_1_1.JPG[/img
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quess what iam having for dinner tonight / fried breaded abalone steaks in garlic butter , yum . iam going next month again , pm me if you like cold water /// db

diamondbear
05-20-2007, 03:57 PM
my limit of abs. http://fishingnetwork.net/images/tmp2/IMG_0250_1_15_1.JPG

D-PESCADOR
05-21-2007, 10:34 AM
NEVER HAD AB STEAKS BUT I'LL TRY THEM NEXT TIME I SEE THEM ON THE MENU > CHEERS AND NICE REPORT

diamondbear
05-21-2007, 08:18 PM
DP , its going to be hard to find abalone on anyones menu , about 8-10 years ago the commerical take of abs were outlawed and only sport taking of abs is allowed and only in water north of san fran. and only breath holding , no scuba . some rest. do import from other countries and there are also a few ab farms that also sell to rest. diving for abs up north is a big deal to alot of people not only for the taste but also its fun and easy // db

SanDimasLMB
05-22-2007, 05:46 PM
abalone steaks are good, yum

Troutman65
05-23-2007, 12:08 AM
Thats one hell of a trip for just 3 Abalone a person. You are die hards. LOL.

I think there is great white sharks up there too.

Back in the day you could find abalone shells everywhere. Swapmeets , garage sales etc. You just don't see that anymore. If 10 yrs ago you got to order it it was Big $$$

Thanks for the report and the pics. Outstanding!!!

diamondbear
05-23-2007, 09:16 PM
Troutman , from the inland empire to say sanoma co. , its only a 8 hr. drive . i like going 2 hrs. more you get a better choice on dive spots up in mendocino co. i grew up watching my older brother getting abs from the pal. verd. pen. 35 yrs. ago , but now you have to go north for them . there are sharks up there and in the last 4 years theres been two shark fatalities , but i really try not to think to much about it when iam out in the deeper water away from shore and with seals up on the rocks looking down at that dummy in the water ,lol but theres plenty of abs in the shallow water and once you go after these abalone and then taste them ,your hooked man ,lol // db

Troutman65
05-23-2007, 09:50 PM
Diamandbear, Thanks for the reply.

The Great white Sharks are looking for a Tasty meal too. Hope it's not you!!!!

I have seen what must be farmed raised Abalone in the Asian markets. Never tried them. They are really small.

May the fishing gods protect you from them sharks when you dive.

TM65

Re8elmonk0341
05-23-2007, 10:53 PM
never had 'em what they taste like and what are they like clams?

olfishergal
05-23-2007, 10:56 PM
wow great report...used to eat abs alot when I was a kid........they taste great..........haven't seen any in many years

diamondbear
05-24-2007, 08:57 PM
no, not like clams . the best way is to slice them into 1/4" steaks , bread them and fry in garlic butter . iam making abalone ceviche this weekend . when i talk to people up north who came for abs. its funny to hear them gripe on how far they had to travel to get there , 1 says 2 hours another says almost 4 hours and when i say how far i came they just look at me with this funny none believing look ,lol //db

soulsurfer
05-25-2007, 03:22 PM
Diamondbear...you are one hardcore SOB for them abalones. .....excellent job!!!!!!!! just watch for Mr. great white up there.

Soul

diamondbear
05-26-2007, 07:15 PM
CHECK THIS OUT , it happened about 4 years ago and just a little north by about 5 miles from where i dive , iam hoping the shark is dead by now of food poisioning , lol // db

diamondbear
05-26-2007, 07:19 PM
sorry about thhttp://fishingnetwork.net/images/tmp2/IMG_0262_1_6_1.JPGat

one_leg
05-26-2007, 07:42 PM
Way to go DiamondBear.

I used to go Abalone diving nearly ever other weekend in season.

Then I'd go hunt Bugs the rest of the year.

Once in a while we'd get to have an overlap trip when you could take limits of both.
Enjoy.

One_Leg

diamondbear
05-27-2007, 05:41 PM
ONE LEG , years ago i used to dive out of santa barbara , on the truth aquatics boats on multi - day boats for abs and lobters at SAN MIGUEL and SANTA ROSA islands . one of my favorite things to get under water was the monster small plate size scallops , something that didnt move and was like a easter egg hunt to find them hidden on the reefs . san miguel is a whole different world with the currents that move out there // db

one_leg
05-27-2007, 07:14 PM
Yeah Diamondbear, I know what you mean about big scallops. We got them at Richardson's Rock west of Miguel. It was a crapshot to get there unless the weather cooperated. I used to dive from The Peace, The Spectre, The liberty, Truth Aquatics and others I don't even remember it was so long ago. That was back around 1993-1996. I even worked on The Sand Dollar for a short time. Too short!!!

We might have been on some trips together. Does Gulls and Bouys or LowBottom Divers ring a bell. These clubs used to split charters all the time to Miguel and San Nick.

One_Leg

Hitts0n
06-25-2007, 07:46 AM
never seen this before ! But c0ngrats!

Troutman65
06-25-2007, 04:05 PM
:thumb:

Beeracuda211
09-29-2007, 07:39 PM
Nice pics DB... Thanks for Report... :thumb: How about a Beer...lol

B/C

Sparky70
09-30-2007, 12:28 AM
Remember the Daze when u could go to Catalina and get all the ABS U could eat for the next month.........No DFG in those days. We didn't abuse the hunting....ate all we pryed off and hammered the hell out of them to make em tender. So. Cal. offshore fishing has gone to hell in the past 60 years..Guess that about tell my age. YIKE!!!!!!!!!!

Those were the days of perfect freedom........

kanco
10-02-2007, 08:52 AM
That's great. How do you clean them? Do you boil them to remove them from the shell? I was up at Bodega Bay for Labor Day and when North about 40 miles to a place called Kawalala (something like that) and was told by the locals that there is some great Abalone diving in that area.

I have never seen a live abalone so I wouldn't know what to look for or how to remove it from the rock.

What is the minimum or maximum size?

one_leg
10-02-2007, 09:22 AM
Lift the flesh up to expose where it is attached to the shell. I used a large metal spoon to excise the meat by scrapping it away from the shell. I found this to be much safer and easier than using a knife. Then remove the guts and trim the lips (dark coloration-good in soups, or use as bait) around the edges. Cut into thin steaks or narrow strips. Pound these with a flat sided meat tenderizer to avoid tearing the flesh. They are now ready for breading and frying.

But I prefer making cerviche with abalone, scallops, and fresh fish on the way back in, while still on the boat.

One_Leg

diamondbear
10-02-2007, 07:44 PM
kanco , One Leg is right about cleaning its real easy just do it once . i cut abs into 1/8 - 1/4 inch thick steaks pound with tenderizer on both sides egg / milk and dip into bread crubs and lighly fry 30 seconds on both sides with garlic added to BUTTER . the abalone is a Mollusks and the only place in california its legal for take is free diving [ no scuba ] and north of san fransico bay . red abalone only up north , your allowed 3 a day and 24 yearly and 7" minimum size . just go to any rite-aid store and purchase your abalone permit report card [ $ 17.85 ] pick up a monthly tide chart for up in sanoma or mendocino Co. and look for the low water times , at this time you dont have to venture into deep waters just wade in waist deep water and feel under the ledges and under all the kelp laying low . i perfer to lay in the water and dive in a little deeper water as shallow as 3-5 ft. in some places . you can rent complete abalone packs for 35.00 at some dives stores up north [ no scuba ] AND HAVE YOUR WILL WRITTEN OUT TO ME IN CASE OF SHARK ATTCKS. lol sharks are pretty rare and dont worry about them as you can get all your abs in shallow water . look up RED ABALONE on the internet sites to see what they look like . once you taste them you know why theres hundreds of people thru out the north coast for these things , try it its fun // db

one_leg
10-02-2007, 07:54 PM
Hey DB, are you ready for a trip up north yet?

I am!!!!!!

One_Leg

diamondbear
10-02-2007, 08:11 PM
HEY O L , iam always ready . abalone season runs thru november but the good low tides are in the spring months and in the early morn. as oct. and nov. the lows are right at dark . if the water is calm then diving on a high tide is actually easier . Iam going again in april , may, june // db

diamondbear
10-02-2007, 08:11 PM
HEY O L , iam always ready . abalone season runs thru november but the good low tides are in the spring months and in the early morn. as oct. and nov. the lows are right at dark . if the water is calm then diving on a high tide is actually easier . Iam going again in april , may, june // db

diamondbear
10-02-2007, 08:12 PM
HEY O L , iam always ready . abalone season runs thru november but the good low tides are in the spring months and in the early morn. as oct. and nov. the lows are right at dark . if the water is calm then diving on a high tide is actually easier . Iam going again in april , may, june // db

diamondbear
10-02-2007, 08:16 PM
HEY O L , heck yea iam always ready . the better low tides are early am in the spring and in oct. and nov. there right at dark , but with calm water diving at a high tide its much easier . iam going again in april, may, june // db

diamondbear
10-02-2007, 08:18 PM
HEY O L , heck yea iam always ready . the better low tides are early am in the spring and in oct. and nov. there right at dark , but with calm water diving at a high tide its much easier . iam going again in april, may, june // db

diamondbear
10-02-2007, 08:21 PM
I HATE WHEN I DO THAT , OOPS

one_leg
10-02-2007, 08:42 PM
You are giving TM65 a serious run for the money!!!

One_Leg

Fisher-of-Men
10-03-2007, 08:39 AM
That looks like alot of fun fellas. I'll have to get me some scuba gear and try it sometime. :wink:

Thanks for sharing!

Fisher-of-Men

one_leg
10-03-2007, 08:45 AM
That looks like alot of fun fellas. I'll have to get me some scuba gear and try it sometime. :wink:

Thanks for sharing!

Fisher-of-Men

Very funny. :? You did read the part about scuba being illegal didn't you, F-o-M?
You don't need to dive for em. You just pluck em off the rocks at low tide.

Oh, wait, now I see the wink. Smart ***. :wink:

One_Leg

Fisher-of-Men
10-03-2007, 08:55 AM
[quote="Fisher-of-Men":78286]That looks like alot of fun fellas. I'll have to get me some scuba gear and try it sometime. :wink:

Thanks for sharing!

Fisher-of-Men

Very funny. :? You did read the part about scuba being illegal didn't you, F-o-M?
You don't need to dive for em. You just pluck em off the rocks at low tide.

Oh, wait, now I see the wink. Smart ***. :wink:

One_Leg[/quote:78286]


Easy there Tiger! Whoa! Slow your roll........................Lets count to 10.

Okay....1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10.... ..there!


Good Morrrrrrrrrning One_Leg! :wink:


Fisher-of-men

one_leg
10-03-2007, 09:02 AM
Another day, another peso.

One_Leg

spartafish
10-03-2007, 01:02 PM
you guys can pick me up in san jose on your way up. just let me know and ill get my 7mm wetsuit ready to go. never been but have had a lot of customers come in and tell me all about it, and i have read a few books on it.