Something fishy
Meet: Trogro @9am
Return: ~6pm
Member: $18 Non member: $23
Activity: Free diving/Spearfishing
Difficulty: (5/10)*Must be able to tread water in the ocean for long periods of time(at least 5 minutes)*
*Fishing permits are required and are not included in trip cost (they’re $18) and well walk you through how to get them*
**Wetsuits are highly recommended and we will stop to rent them if needed but this will also be an additional cost**
Location of Trip: Crystal Cove
Native Land: Tongva & Acjachemen
**YOU MUST BE A STRONG SWIMMER COMFORTABLE TREADING WATER FOR LONG DURATIONS OF TIME (at least 10 mins) TO ATTEND THIS TRIP** If you come on this trip and are uncomfortable in the water you will be land-bound and watch from the beach! No exceptions.
Trip Description:
We’re headed down to Crystal Cove to try and catch some dinner! Considered one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly methods of catching fish, spear-fishing is a sport where individuals catch their meal with a barbed spear while swimming or wading through the water, generally with the help of snorkel (or free-diving) gear. Key locations like kelp forests, rocky outcrops, or sandy bottoms, are optimal in searching for specific target fish species (like kelp bass, halibut, tuna, etc.), which are always identified before being harpooned. There is no pollution, no by-catch, and successful catches are always eaten (or shared). While spear-fishing, in one form or another, has been performed by humans for millennia, Southern California is actually one of the founding locations of the modern sport, and a fairly large community of underwater hunters has developed here in our bountiful, and incredibly beautiful, local waters.
This trip is going to be a very basic introduction to spear-fishing as an activity. We’ll teach you what fish to go after, how to spear fish legally, where to look, and how to navigate the underwater realm as comfortably as possible, so that you can hopefully end the day with your own freshly caught, local fish. Fish or no fish - get ready to have an amazing day exploring a breathtaking underwater world!!
Contact the Guides:
Sibelle O’Donnell - seodonne@usc.edu
Johann Kim - jekim@usc.edu
Josh McCampbell - mccampbe@usc.edu
What to Bring:
Sunscreen (reef safe STRONGLY recommended!!)
Wetsuit (Recommended - we will stop at a place if you want to pay to rent one)
Personal snorkel and mask (optional - we will have some to give out)
Fins (Optional)
Warm, dry clothes
Water (2 liters)
Spearfishing Permit (We’ll show how to get it when you sign up for trip)
Mess kit (plate, fork, knife)
Your favorite fish seasoning (optional…but would be cool to bring it)
Please Review Our Cancellation and Refund Policy:
All SC Outfitter trips have a no-refund policy unless a substitute participant can be found. In the event your trip requires added reporting measures of participants (plane tickets, external providers, rental services, etc.) dropping the trip close to the date of the trip will not allow for the spot to be re-filled. See the details on trip pages for specific deadlines and reference our complete cancellation/refund policy here.
TRIP DIFFICULTY RATING SYSTEM
Difficulty rating for trips
1: No physical activity.
2: Leisurely walk.
3: 2-5 miles less than 1000 ft of total elevation gain on well maintained trails. About 2-3 hours continuous activity
4: 4-6 miles, about 1000 ft of elevation gain, well maintained trails. About 3 hours of continuous activity.
5: 6-8 miles, about 1500ft of elevation gain on maintained trials. 4-5 hours continuous activity
6: 8-10 miles, about 2000 ft of elevation gain, well maintained trails. 4-6 hours of continuous activity.
7: 10-14 miles, over 2500 ft of elevation gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.
8: At high altitude. 12-16 total miles, over 3000 ft of elevation gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.
9: Technical skills may be necessary. At high altitude with physical elevation gain. Scrambling over rocks likely involved.
10: u gunna die
**If you have any questions or concerns about the physical activity, recommended prior experience, or gear needed on any kind of trip please contact the guides as soon as possible!!