Ramble !

There are plenty of reasons why I find myself going for a dive. I guess seeing as there’s not usually anyone else doing the same, it feels very personal and exclusive. All rolled into one is the excitement and anticipation of exploring where few have been before, the fear and adrenalin – I guess of the unknown, the wonder about what you might meet or experience and the personal test of your own abilities and tolerances in unusual conditions.

I’d always enjoyed exploring with Scuba, but now, if I want to, I can pop beneath the waves any time – it requires very little effort or planning. Also with scuba, you get long bottom times, but for a set period, when times up, you’ve got to head home, but with freediving you can stay as long as you like (or until the cold gets you!). Your bottom time is obviously governed by how long you can hold your breath for, but there’s the challenge!

Feels like I’m on bit of a personal a journey too. The first few times rummaging through the kelp, I jumped every time a piece brushed my leg, but now I’m liking the feel of the fronds brushing over me!! – Previously it felt like the kelp wanted to grab me and hold me down, whereas now it feels more like a welcoming cuddle! I feel part of that world, free to roam….

Guess I may also be led by some deep down hunter gathering urges - you can’t beat the satisfaction that comes from bringing back something foraged for tea!

Linking the two, my interest in Bass fishing. I’ve never been that successful, fishing from the shore using artificial lures, I’ve got more fingers than bass caught in the last two years! That’s not to say I haven’t caught fish. A heap of wrasse, Pollack and mackerel, but targeting the bass has proved difficult. Wanting to understand where I’m going wrong, I thought a good start would be to get in and have a look to see if there actually were any bass at the marks where I was fishing. I’d seen one or two from the surface, but wanted to see for myself just how many, and where they hang out.

By the way, for info on Bass fishing, look no further than Mike Ladle. I’ve picked up many a useful tip from Mike's site.

I hope to expand on this a bit – I often see bass on my jaunts so hope to piece together some useful info on their movements as I find this out….