What a great video to show what we have underwater here in so cal. Plus for you visiting So Cal make it a point to visit Laguna Beach. Heisler Park from above the water is some of the best coast line So cal has to offer!
I also went skin diving on the west end of Catalina island in the late 60s at a summer camp and saw millions of sheep’s head calicos and everything probably now anything close now !
There are loads of huge calico out by second reef if you know where that is. It would be cool to see a video of what you find out there. I've also seen big WSB and halibut out there as well. Bird rock is pretty loaded too. I honestly appreciate the MPA, it's nice to see this preserve doing so well. I moved to laguna before they implemented the Marine preserve, I'm grateful I was able to get few years of fishing in while it was legal but to say the least, I definitely miss it.
Yea I am conflicted on the MPA as well, I see the pros but miss fishing those areas. I will get back down to some of those zones and bring the camera as soon as these south swells chill out haha
This is something I did in the 70s along with fishing my Aunt and cousins live in south Laguna I used to see idiots just spear the crap out of everything probably just to kill and not eat so I’m so glad it’s protected now I’m really seeing a big comeback of fish now so my kids can hopefully see great video !!
@@fluentfishing I also saw your deep drop video. You beat me too it. I got a tanacom 1200 for Christmas but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I could go to the south nine, but I have been having so much luck at the islands lately, its hard to fish elsewhere.
Those are some big-ass sheepsheads down there! I used to dive and spearfish off La Jolla about 20+ years ago. Also fished pff the kelp beds there for years. i used to catch some big sheepshead there, but it's been over 10 years since I've caught another. Figured they were all fished out. That marine preserve in Laguna has always been a great6 place to snorkle. Because it has been a no-take area for over 30 years you can really. see how impactful fishing is to the marine environment as this area still looks untouched. You men tioned doing charters - was totally unaware you do fishing charters. Is there a reason you don't use this YT channel to promote that business?
Yea I rarely see sheephead this big in shallow water besides in the protected areas. It is a blast diving laguna though, so much cool structure and kelp beds! I work as a freelance private yacht captain/mate. This was around the Christmas parade so we were busy! I don't currently do any fishing charters.
It’s crazy because I started diving so cal in the 80s and even back then there were not even close to that many Sheephead. Anywhere. There were quite a few though, especially compared to nowadays. I haven’t been back to cali in years, but when I heard that laguna got closed to spearfishing I was shocked. I can’t believe they can even do that legally, tbh, because I eat it’s right in the ca constitution we have the right to fish. I don’t see how a city can get away with that legally, especially considering the water isn’t theirs by any means. But, watching your video is almost a good promotion for the reserves as I’m sure some of those sheephead make their way out of the area as it becomes too populated. I guess I have mixed feeling but I definitely don’t think cities should be able to preside over ocean regulations. Tbh I’m not sure how it all went down.
Ya I also have mixed feelings about the closures. I almost wish they rotated them after a few years because I do hate the fact none of us will ever be able to fish laguna again.
@@fluentfishing I’ve thought about that many times. For lakes too they could have an “on off” periods where one lake can’t be fished all year, and let it naturally repopulate. I’m personally very skeptical of fish and game, I dont think they actually care about fish. Kinda like cops who don’t care about safety, they just say that’s what they care about. The reason I was so upset about laguna is in my estimation what happened is the city didn’t like it when spearfisherman came out of the water with dead fish and a huge weapon. For tourism and such. But you’re not supposed to be able to deny taxpayers that right just so you can make more money. And what’s to stop more cities from doing it is the even scarier thing.
Beautiful video!
Not too many vids online of people free diving the SoCal coast. Good to see that the fish are doing so well.
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a great video to show what we have underwater here in so cal. Plus for you visiting So Cal make it a point to visit Laguna Beach. Heisler Park from above the water is some of the best coast line So cal has to offer!
This was very close to Heisler. I used to live in that area for a few years as well
this looks AWESOME take me with you next time!!
Always more fun to dive with a group!
I also went skin diving on the west end of Catalina island in the late 60s at a summer camp and saw millions of sheep’s head calicos and everything probably now anything close now !
It is tough to find the big ones these days that is for sure.
Love the content man! keep up the great videos
Thank you!
There are loads of huge calico out by second reef if you know where that is. It would be cool to see a video of what you find out there. I've also seen big WSB and halibut out there as well. Bird rock is pretty loaded too.
I honestly appreciate the MPA, it's nice to see this preserve doing so well. I moved to laguna before they implemented the Marine preserve, I'm grateful I was able to get few years of fishing in while it was legal but to say the least, I definitely miss it.
Yea I am conflicted on the MPA as well, I see the pros but miss fishing those areas. I will get back down to some of those zones and bring the camera as soon as these south swells chill out haha
so rad. i never see sheephead that size at south of there
They are so cool when theyre that big!
Amazing video! The variety of sea life is stunning. I noticed very few sea urchins, I wonder if the abundance of Sheepshead is the reason?
I am definitely no biologist but I think that probably plays a huge role in it.
So beautiful how cool love to see more of these dives peaceful to watch
Glad you enjoyed, I can definitely do some more diving videos!
This is something I did in the 70s along with fishing my Aunt and cousins live in south Laguna I used to see idiots just spear the crap out of everything probably just to kill and not eat so I’m so glad it’s protected now I’m really seeing a big comeback of fish now so my kids can hopefully see great video !!
It is pretty eye opening to see the difference when diving protected areas. Being a fisherman I am obviously conflicted haha
Love it
I can't wait to get back in
It is always a good time that is for sure!
1 second to notice it, btw nice diving
Thank you!
Oh, if that Halibut were a snake it would have bit me.😂
Haha they do take some practice to notice them quickly
Great video! Are those wsb at 5:26 ?
Thanks for watching! I believe they were spotfin croaker
Awesome video. Must have been cold.
Thanks for watching. My 5mm keeps me relatively cozy. When the temps drop even more I throw a 7mm top on haha
@@fluentfishing I also saw your deep drop video. You beat me too it. I got a tanacom 1200 for Christmas but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I could go to the south nine, but I have been having so much luck at the islands lately, its hard to fish elsewhere.
Yo from San Diego California
Very cool
thanks!
It's been stormy. Was this recent?
Yea this was just before the storms!
Great viz! Love seeing all those healthy sheepheads@@fluentfishing
Laguna water is so cold 🥶 how can you dive 😅
A nice wetsuit goes a long way haha
Those are some big-ass sheepsheads down there! I used to dive and spearfish off La Jolla about 20+ years ago. Also fished pff the kelp beds there for years. i used to catch some big sheepshead there, but it's been over 10 years since I've caught another. Figured they were all fished out. That marine preserve in Laguna has always been a great6 place to snorkle. Because it has been a no-take area for over 30 years you can really. see how impactful fishing is to the marine environment as this area still looks untouched.
You men tioned doing charters - was totally unaware you do fishing charters. Is there a reason you don't use this YT channel to promote that business?
Yea I rarely see sheephead this big in shallow water besides in the protected areas. It is a blast diving laguna though, so much cool structure and kelp beds! I work as a freelance private yacht captain/mate. This was around the Christmas parade so we were busy! I don't currently do any fishing charters.
How close to dana is that
This was the Heisler Park area of Laguna Beach. So maybe like 15-20 mins north of Dana.
It’s crazy because I started diving so cal in the 80s and even back then there were not even close to that many Sheephead. Anywhere. There were quite a few though, especially compared to nowadays. I haven’t been back to cali in years, but when I heard that laguna got closed to spearfishing I was shocked. I can’t believe they can even do that legally, tbh, because I eat it’s right in the ca constitution we have the right to fish. I don’t see how a city can get away with that legally, especially considering the water isn’t theirs by any means. But, watching your video is almost a good promotion for the reserves as I’m sure some of those sheephead make their way out of the area as it becomes too populated. I guess I have mixed feeling but I definitely don’t think cities should be able to preside over ocean regulations. Tbh I’m not sure how it all went down.
Ya I also have mixed feelings about the closures. I almost wish they rotated them after a few years because I do hate the fact none of us will ever be able to fish laguna again.
@@fluentfishing I’ve thought about that many times. For lakes too they could have an “on off” periods where one lake can’t be fished all year, and let it naturally repopulate. I’m personally very skeptical of fish and game, I dont think they actually care about fish. Kinda like cops who don’t care about safety, they just say that’s what they care about. The reason I was so upset about laguna is in my estimation what happened is the city didn’t like it when spearfisherman came out of the water with dead fish and a huge weapon. For tourism and such. But you’re not supposed to be able to deny taxpayers that right just so you can make more money. And what’s to stop more cities from doing it is the even scarier thing.
Very cool
thanks!