Last Dive - First Ten!

As is my customary practice, I skipped out on shopping on Black Friday, and since Poseidon had granted us divers a boon, found myself paddling the kayak with Pat to our new favorite abalone spot. We couldn't have asked for much better weather. Light breeze, sunny, a touch cool, but the seas were flat like all get out. Flat like dive anywhere. Flat like try out that spot you can only dive a few days a year flat.

We checked a new area, which I believe still has some big ones hiding out in the kelp, and then popped back over to a really productive spot we hit a couple times this season already. Lots and lots of abalone from just-emergent fives right up to big nines living in perfect harmony. I don't think many people ever get into this spot.

After scouting a bit, I saw a huge one on my way up. When I surfaced, and I told Pat there was a big one "right there." A couple breaths later, I was back down at it. It was bigger than a 9.5, so that would be a record for me. I popped it, then gauged it underwater, and it was bigger than 10. Started singing the abalone song in my head. Measured again. Plain-and-obvious first 10. Not a clicker. Then I realized I needed to breathe. Sounded the ten-inch alarm when Pat surfaced and barely tucked it through the opening on my game bag.

10-1/4" x 8-1/4"

We limited out since the season is over. My others were 9-plus, as has been everything I've pulled later this season. Once I get a chance, I'll do a review post for this season. Next year I plan to focus even more on hunting the giants and encouraging friends to understand the resource and sport of abalone diving.