Hey Glen
You caught me on the computer! I did get out on the weekend, but not chasing squid.......the crayfish season opened on Sunday, so I went SCUBA diving to catch some. I got 2 @ 0.75kg and 1.75kg near Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Road, VIC). It was damn windy where we were as well, but since we were underwater it didn't bother us too much. <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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I hope to get out chasing squid in the rowboat soon, but the wind is my enemy.
Jaz
I am keen to get out snorkelling but my wetsuit ain't that thick so I have been waiting for the water to warm up a bit. How warm/cold was it? I guess around 13-14 degrees? I haven't come across any crays so far. Probably never will with the snorkel.
Regards, Glen <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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Hey Glen
The water was beautiful, I reckon 14 degrees, but I've got a 7mm semi dry wettie that keeps me warm as toast. About crays on the snorkel, don't stop looking, one of my dive buddies pulled a 1kg cray on snorkel on the weekend, but you need a pretty good breath hold to do this! The other thing is, you need to be looking in the right spots - that is under ledges, caves etc, you'll seldom see crays out in the open. There was also plenty of fish life to be seen (it's been quiet the last few months), and my mate speared a 40cm leatherjacket - great eating.
Jaz <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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My wetsuit is a 3/2 mm surfing wetsuit. i was thinking of maybe getting a thicker one but i imagine it must be pretty hard to move in a 7mm suit! do u wear that thick suit in summer too?
I though maybe of buying a 4/3 wetsuit so i could still use it for other stuff like body boarding (if i ever get back to it that is!). Might have to head down to Torquay and have a look to see if they have any. Local surfing shops only seem to stock 3/2 wetsuits.
Regards, Glen <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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Hey Glen
I usually wear my 7mm most of the year (except for 30+ degree days in middle of summer) cause I get cold easy (probably need more meat on my bones!), I have a 3/2 that I use on these hot days. It is hard to find thicker surfie wetsuits, my 7mm is a dedicated diving suit, and although it is noticably thicker than most, it's doesn't restrict my movement much at all. Torquay should have a good selection of suits. The drawback with a thicker suit is that I have to wear MUCH more lead on my weightbelt. I think the brand of my 7mm is Moray, I remember it being about $750 - seems a lot, but I don't regret spending that money, I haven't been cold at all since buying it (including numerous mid-winter dives), and as you know, there is nothing worse than being too cold whilst diving, it really detracts from the experience.
There are HEAPS of reefs off the Gt Ocean Road that are accesible to shore divers, and that will yield crays if you are persistent, and look in the right spots. Season has just opened, and the crays are quite stupid having not been targeted for the last 3 months, so if you want to get a cray, you should go soon. Another good spot is any ocean (back) beaches on the Peninsula, eg/ Rye back beach (but pick a calm day)
Let me know if you go, I have a few more secrets
Jaz <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':th' /> <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/xyxthumbs.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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Hey guys
I just purchased a new second hand wet suit at the op shop. It cost 5 bucks and it works fine!
hey guyz
does havin a wet suit inprove ur end result???? <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/xyxthumbs.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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It makes me feel less cold, and therefore means I can stay in the water longer.....so I guess it does improve my end result.
Just one thing new found, can you please use full words not SMS abbreviations, it makes it hard to read your posts, and it doesn't take that much longer to use full words.
Thanks
Jaz
I think i need a thicker wetsuit. have you guys seen those dry suits. they are meant to keep you completely dry! They are like 1-2 grand though
yes i agree with jazman completely guys. i know you guys are in the "SMS generation" but us oldies still like full words! also don't forget this site is visited by people around the world and so it is expected that you speak correct english.
thanks for your co-operation.
cheers, glen
About drysuits, they seem very attractive, but there are some drawbacks:
-The price (thousands)
-You need a scuba set for them to work (you actually fill them with air from your tank)
-If you pierce them, it is not good....I did a scallop dive with a guy who had a drysuit, all was going well until he pierced the suit on a broken shell, the suit took on so much water he had to be helped back on the boat, where he proceeded to empty what seemed like 100 litres of water on the deck. Most of my diving involves crawling around on and under rocks, so I will not be getting a drysuit anytime soon. But they are the only option in very cold water eg/ southern tassie in winter.
I use a semi-dry wetsuit, which is basically a wetsuit with a very tight seal around the wrists, ankles and neck, with the idea being that you let a little water in at the start of the dive, but this water cannot escape because of the tight seals, so it warms to your body temp and provides a layer of insulation between you and the sea (this is also the principle that regular wetsuits use to keep you warm, but there is more exchange of water between the inside and outside of the suit compared to semi-drys).
If any of you guys have problems with the cold, the first thing I'd suggest buying is a hood. They look daggy but they make a world of difference, because you lose most of your body heat through your head.
Yeah, Ive got one with a jacket that goes over the top with a hood. It is pretty old and is starting to get holes in it. I want to get a new one but dad rekons ill just grow out of it. They are fairly expensive new wet suits though.
Cheers
I was thinking about getting a wet/semidry suit, 5mm 1 piece longsleeve. How much would you be expected to pay for this? I've seen them sell online second hand for around $100, but how much is this type of wetsuit worth new? Also, does it make a difference comfort/warm wise if the suit is one piece or two?
Thanks in advance,
Chick3n
Semi dry suits are generally one piece. In my opinion one piece suits are much more comfortable, and maybe a bit warmer, but with a 2 piece suit you have the added warmth of 2 layers of neoprene over your torso. I bought a 7mm 'Moray' semidry a few years ago for $700 new.