Ever tried Diving at Stonewall?

Ling Sling · 01-31-2005, 01:09 PM

Hello everyone-
I guess I should introduce myself first as I am new. I'm new to the board, and fairly new to Salt water fishing outside of Salmon. I've been an outdoorsman all of my short life, and loved every minute of it. As you can tell from my question, I'm an active diver (mainly around Garibaldi-I'm one of the crazies jumping off of the jetty in seach of lingcod). Last year was my first year Halibut fishing (45" and a barely legal) and I hope that this year is my first for tuna. Anyway, I was curious if any of the divers on the board have ever tried diving at Stonewall. Looking at the chart, it looks like a deep dive, but do-able. Any opinions/experiance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

tailchaser · 01-31-2005, 01:17 PM

"Deep Dive" is definitely the right way to talk about this. I think mostly it's the depth that keeps novice/recreational divers away. Too many things to worry about that deep. Also, reefs are only 6 miles south with plenty of critters for the average diver. To some it might be doable, but not worth the risk for me to bring home a ling. I think your oxygen time would be less than 20 minutes anyhow at that depth.

On another note, good to have you aboard, lots to learn here.

tc

Zodiac-Fisherman · 01-31-2005, 01:21 PM

What if you had aqua-lungs, rebreather, or dual tanks, couldn't you stay down longer than 20 mins?

Dylan

skein · 01-31-2005, 01:30 PM

Deep, cold, and currents. Too much for this fat boy.

Skein

wthr4d · 02-01-2005, 12:44 AM

you're nuts!! thats a 2-400 foot dive at best. In REALLY cold water. I know comercial guys who dive that but they get paid $100/hr to do it.

Have fun

Paul

Nalu · 02-01-2005, 02:13 AM

Cold is not an issue since anyone that frequently dives here uses a drysuit, but depth and oxygen toxicity on regular compressed air is. That depth is reserved for tri-mix(oxygen, helium, nitrogen)breathing gas, multi-level decompression stops, stage bottles and transport gases(straight o2 and nitrox). In the event the dive NEEDED to be done, it could be, but there is no practical reason any tech diver would do so.

I would highly recommend refreshing yourself on what is considered a "deep" dive in recreational SCUBA, as well as the standard models for DCI, DCS, and oxygen toxicity levels.

For recreational SCUBA, deep diving is considered between 60 and 120 feet, with 130 feet being the traditional max depth limit.

With regard to oxygen toxicity, maximum PO2 is 1.6 ATA which is achieved at 218fsw.

Not trying to be harsh, but a review of dive tables and theory may be in order.

TheTexan · 02-01-2005, 06:44 AM

If you do end up diving at Stonewall, could you look for some 48oz canon balls? I lost a couple last year!

retaliate · 02-01-2005, 07:34 AM

The chart shows a 13 fathom spot, but I've never found that spot, the shallowest spot I've seen on my depth finder is 132' a little too deep for sport diving, I've been 120' deep up in the San Juan islands, but was limmited to a 10 min dive, & still did a 5 min stop at 20'
132' or more is just too deep.

Ling Sling · 02-01-2005, 10:12 AM

I think that what appears to be reckless abandon stems from my ignorance of the site. I knew that Stonewall would be a longshot with a 13 fathom min depth according to the charts, but I thought that I would at least ask. I figured that if someone had found a plateau at 75-110 fsw that was safe to dive and worth it, that it might be a possibility. But it sounds like finding that isn't all that likly. I've been diving in Oregon regularly for 10 years, and I had never heard anything about stonewall, hence the question. Thanks for the responses.

Nalu · 02-01-2005, 11:09 AM

No offense intended Ling Sling.

I'm just a little overly cautious with regard to dive safety. You're right, a dive to 75-110 would certainly be plausible, but the other issues you face is blue water with free ascent in a place frequented by an abundance of fisherman. Current off the Oregon coast is frequently encountered offshore, and even if you could find the spot, in all likelyhood you would almost be guaranteed to be blown off the side by the time you descended. Off shore anchoring here is not common, and a true descent line would just about be mandatory to hit the top of the pinnacle.

Again, sorry if I was a little harsh, I just kind of always firgue depths at Stonewall are going to be outside rec limits. On the other hand, there's lots of good dive sites just outside of Newport and Depoe Bay with plenty of ling and rockfish.

Ling Sling · 02-01-2005, 01:39 PM

No worries, I didn't take offense.

While I am a rescue diver myself, my father has been a Dive master for a while, so I am used to being cautioned about diving within ones limits, and I whole-heartedly agree. I am used to diving around the coastline here, and I haven't been diving on anything further offshore then the Pinnacle out of Newport. I was thinking that if it was feasable (which it looks like it isn't) that the generally deeper water in the area would reduce the surge. It would also have to have been an exceptional dive to venture out that far as well. But thanks for your input. Take care!

DriftR · 02-01-2005, 02:44 PM

Don't forget to swim with your head twisted around and looking straight up as you dive. Reason for that is you might be able to see my 9/0 hooks better. That is if you can withstand the current and keep inside the boundary limits. Don't get flushed out of that area when boats are fishing close to the line.
Better reefs to be had closer inshore. My buddies and I used to rent gear from Deep Sea Bills under the Yaquina Bridge back in the 60's and dive the Light House. Kinda tricky with the tides, getting in and out. But it was a heck of an area for lings on a good sling.

Ryan mate · 02-02-2005, 01:06 AM

I've never found the "charted" shallow spots on the banks either, and that has been alot of trips. Story is that the commercial drags may have knocked off what maybe was once there. What has already been stated is so true. There are plenty of big Ling inside and makes for alot nicer dives. The first week of the year we had two 20 to 30 lbs inside the Jetty with a good solid 15 ft vis. and didn't even need the boat. My father and I fish pretty much exclusively out of Newport year round. I've been a Dive Instuctor for almost 15 years now, and for me Newport's inner reefs hard to beat.

EVERREADY · 02-04-2005, 10:14 AM

I have been thinking about diving there for sometime. I think it can be done. I don't think that the diving there would be any better than inshore, but to dive a site that not many people have done would be the reason to go. Timing would be important. Finding that day when the current is slow. The boat would need to be anchored. I would first look for places in the 140's. Obvouisly air wouldn't cut it you would need some kind of mix. So I'am still a few years away from doing it. It's a long term goal. I still have more classes to take.