Easy Abalone 5/15

We tried a new (to us) spot on Saturday. It was a -1.26 tide, and there wasn't a place to park the trucks when we arrived. We watched a huge number of shore pickers coming up the trail as we headed down (an hour after low tide.) I asked them all how they did, and was surprised by an overall 'meh' report.

Once into the water, we sorta fanned out as we crossed a large distance of hip-deep rocky bottom. I had a feeling there would be a drop right where there was a little break, and sure enough, there were 8"+ abalone everywhere in about 8' of water.


Am I alone in finding it somewhat disconcerting that nearly all of them are the same size? I think I gauged about 25 abalone that were 8-8.5" and only one that was 7.25". Maybe all the other sevens were hanging out elsewhere with the sixes and fives. Maybe they crawl into the intertidal and get scooped up by the pickers. Anyhow, I think I came out with 3 8.5" shells. I'd like to spend more time and find the bigger ones, but was feeling a little pressure with a newb in tow and buddies who collected a limit on the way out that were ready to swim back. Next time, I'll just send them in and take more time I think....


Congratulations to Matt who spontaneously became an abalone diver late Friday night, and managed to pull the biggest, fattest abalone of all Saturday. Good job on that first limit - I'm sure there will be many more.

I haven't been ignoring the blog, and my abalone obsession remains unchecked. I've been working on an "epic" piece of literature about the abalone fishery, the Abalone Recovery and Management Plan, the Marine Life Protection Act, and how it all fits together for abalone divers and fans. I've seen more than one loquacious post followed by someone wishing the whole situation were more clear. I'm shooting for something with minimum verbosity and maximum understanding. Stay tuned.