The Opener

Rudy treated me and Juda to a dive trip to Santa Cruz Island the first day of the Lobster season. The experienced folks call it "the opener." Met Rudy at 5am to load and drive his boat to Santa Barbara Harbor and made the channel crossing to Santa Cruz Island. Thankful for maps, compass, charts, and GPS since we were in total fog until we reached the island. It took approximately 1:15 since there was moderate chop on the water.

Cap'n Rudy at the helm with a very accurate land in fog on the north end of SC.

We arrived on the north end of the island and immediately found a spot, anchored, and jumped in. Rudy dove with me and we spent time exploring this edge for over an hour on the first dive. It was an amazing experience.

First Dive spot. Note the beautiful and shear rock faces and kelp forests. The caves are were the bugs are.

Our first dive was awesome and Rudy really showed me the ropes. Between a dive depth of 20-50 feet at various areas, we saw Calico Bass, a few lobster (I missed it...), crabs, and many other sea creatures. It was amazingly beautiful and full of color and adventure.

Rudy and Juda suited up while I ran a live boat for better dive access.

Rudy in his ocean element. Look at the smile!

Judas monster bug!

Yours truly took the run home. I was pretty off the return run in the fog but not too bad.

Finished and ready for the drive home. Rudys boat is one amazing craft and very sea worthy. The SB Channel has its reputation and this boat can handle some very nasty seas.

Pictures in the live well.

Well, not so live. Dinner table the following night! Tasty buggers!

Really enjoyed my first California opener. Between myself, Rudy and Juda, 17 total bugs on the trip. I was not much help to these experienced lobstermen since they both limited out. Time and experience will kick in and make me more productive. Looking forward to more dives and ocean runs with Rudy.