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Topic: My Son's First Ab Dive - 6/27/17  (Read 1618 times)

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LoletaEric

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Today's guest was a 14 year old who's never dove for abs - we fixed that.  :smt003

Collin pulled his first ab ever on the day of GS11 on May 20th this year. He and his mom rockpicked a really low tide at Shelter Cove while I was busy with my tournament, and he did well to score a fat 8"+ for his first ever abalone.

After our recent Hawaii vacation where he was looking very comfortable with the mask and snorkel I asked him about doing some diving in the cold and murky waters of the Humboldt coast. He was down for it and didn't even try to bail when I got him up at 630AM (330AM Hawaii time - we just got home yesterday early in the AM!)

We drove over to the Cape and would've dove along the road where there's easy access, but the water was really muddy through there, so we opted for the trudge down the beach 1.5 miles to one of my favorite places on the planet. We were treated to a beautiful morning with light wind and sunny skies as we made our way down to our spot and entered the surf zone for some training. It was Coll's first time in a full wetsuit and weightbelt, so I had a very close eye on him - especially with only 2' of visibility at most. I shadowed him as he dove, and I was impressed with his ease in the water even with the low viz. I found a few abs to show him, but he wasn't interested in anything but finding his own!

With only a 3 mm suit on he started to get cold before long, so we worked our way back into the shallows where he reached around the rocks like a pro. I was a bit bummed though because the spot we were at has been picked over pretty well over the years - I knew it would be hard to find an ab without diving for it. As we made progress back toward our entry point we got into a little deeper water with a few boulders to check around, and Collin got re-inspired to put his head under to search for an ab of his own. When he did locate one he announced it to me pretty nonchalantly, and I was stoked when I took a look under his rock in about 7 feet of water and saw a stout ab hanging on a ledge!

Coll worked on his ab for about 20 minutes, and we even took one weight off my belt and added it to his so he could stay under better. This ab wasn't an easy one to pull, and being his first time trying to get one on breath-hold I thought I may have to pull and tag it myself if he couldn't get it. I encouraged him to take his time and instructed him on how to stabilize his body under there to get good leverage with the iron, but pulling an ab is no easy task even for a grown man who's got experience.

I had the video rolling and was next to him down there in very low viz of only a few inches as we'd kicked up silt around his work area, and I hear this 'pop' while under water. I then see him pull the big ab out of its hole as he heads to the top with it - victory!! We were both excited, and I was especially stoked to have gotten it on video!

We made our way to shore, tagged his prize, got out of our gear, packed for the trail and soon rolled toward the truck. What a blast to get my son on such an adventure. He doesn't even eat abalone, but he loved the challenge of the hunt and pull. On the way back up the beach we talked about how outdoor activities like diving and fishing present special opportunities for not just harvest and the fun of the pursuit, but we're also able to experience unique lessons regarding sportsmanship and honor. Collin didn't need much elaboration on this subject, as he's grown up around my constant and obsessive focus on doing the right thing in terms of how you treat wildlife, how you view rules, and how you share those things with others.

The way you treat the world around you - whether it's other people, animals, or even the landscape - says so much about you. In the end, how you conduct yourself in this regard is truly one of the ultimate markers of who you are. The way I want to live is with strength to make good choices and honor for other life around me, and I'm so damn proud of my son for showing that he understands that and embraces its importance as it relates to his soul.

This is my spirituality. Thank you for allowing me to share with you.  :smt001
I am a licensed guide.  DFW Guide ID:  1000124.   Let's do a trip together.

Loleta Eric's Guide Service

loletaeric@yahoo.com - call me up at (707) 845-0400

http://www.loletaeric.com

Being an honorable sportsman is way more important than what you catch.


LoletaEric

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:smt001
I am a licensed guide.  DFW Guide ID:  1000124.   Let's do a trip together.

Loleta Eric's Guide Service

loletaeric@yahoo.com - call me up at (707) 845-0400

http://www.loletaeric.com

Being an honorable sportsman is way more important than what you catch.


BigJim

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YES!!!!!!!!!!!

So cool!!!

HUGE congrats Collin and Eric!!!

Amazing milestone in a young man and father's life!!

 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007

So stoked for both of you, and thank you for sharing with us!!

 :smt008

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim




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Codzilla

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So cool Eric and Collin !!! I know how special it is when you get to do the things you love with your kids, there is no better feeling !!!! That right there my bother, is what life is all about !!!!
Jeff
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CptSloppywood

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That's great father snd son time!!!


DG

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-----------------------------------
NorCAL HOW Volunteer

2018 NCKA - DOTY Committee Member

2017 DOTY 2 biggest fish awards
2016 DOTY 2nd place / 4 biggest fish awards
2016 Triton X - 2nd place
2016 Triton Open - Biggest Lingcod
2014 DOTY - 1 biggest fish award


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Way to go Eric!
Ab Prince in the making  :smt007
Pronounced in Spanish  ka·be·za de mar·t·yo
Translates to Hammerhead in English for my Gringo amigos.
....and yes that's me with a 6ft. green moray in the avatar.

"Spearos before Hos" - Silent Hunter

"Give your son a fish and you'll feed him for a day.
Teach him how to spearfish and he'll feed you for a lifetime" - Cabeza de Martillo

Proud Papa of ...........
2018 JAOTY Lucas aka Baja Ninja
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Sailfish

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That must be a wonderful feeling seeing your son popped his first Ab!  Thanks for sharing   the good time with us Eric.
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."


Hojoman

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I saw a pic of Collin (with mom) at Gimme Shelter holding an ab. Rock picking?


Bald Eagle

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Collin - well done!


Dale L

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Great story I really enjoyed it, I still have a shell or 2 from my son's first outings,  brings good memories every time I look at them.

Really cool to see his perseverance in working it thru, once he banged that ab a few times I bet it sucked down really tight, that's a job after that.

And in a 3 mil makes me shiver just to think about it


Martianfish

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You better look out DAD. One day you will turn around and he will be running your guide service and putting you out to pasture!!🙀
Yakhopper's  Alameda Rock Wall  1st Place  June 13, 2010
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LoletaEric

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Quote from: Martianfish
You better look out DAD. One day you will turn around and he will be running your guide service and putting you out to pasture!!🙀

That's my hope!  :smt001

Hojo - yes he picked one at Shelter Cove without putting his head under.

Thanks for the nice comments, guys.  :smt001
I am a licensed guide.  DFW Guide ID:  1000124.   Let's do a trip together.

Loleta Eric's Guide Service

loletaeric@yahoo.com - call me up at (707) 845-0400

http://www.loletaeric.com

Being an honorable sportsman is way more important than what you catch.


Da Bruddah

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That must have been awesome to go snorkeling on Kauai and come back and score  his first Ab with Dad. Eric, must have been a great moment and I was touched how you let him figure it our for himself. Victory for Collin and for super awesome Dad/Dads in NCKA!!
Mahalo for the great pics as usual
Michael
da Bruddah
Enjoy this slide show that were taken today:
Link to Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor-7/15/17 NCKA Fishing Tournament:

Link to 7-15-17 Striper?Hali Tournament Slideshow:

http://play.smilebox.com/SpreadMoreHappy/4e4455314d6a51344e7a5a384d5441304f4445324e7a63780d0a





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LoletaEric

  • Gimme Shelter Annual Kayakfishing Tournament Director
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  • Location: Humboldt - Always OTW if there is an option.
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  • Posts: 18834
I am a licensed guide.  DFW Guide ID:  1000124.   Let's do a trip together.

Loleta Eric's Guide Service

loletaeric@yahoo.com - call me up at (707) 845-0400

http://www.loletaeric.com

Being an honorable sportsman is way more important than what you catch.