Freediving Mike's Rock

On Saturday we kayak fished the shoreline near Mike's Rock.

Here's a look at the underwater side of what makes a spot a fish magnet.

This view shows a kelp-covered rock that slopes off into deeper water.

On Saturday morning, between the time spent videotaping the kayakers and doing a little fishing myself, I made it a point to dive with my digital camera to chronicle a specific spot called “Mike’s rock.”

In the late 70s I shot so many bass over 30 pounds in this area, it was quickly dubbed Mike’s rock by my dive buddies. On this particular morning there weren’t any 30 pound stripers waiting to have their pictures taken, however it was still a real treat to visit such a special spot. What makes it such a striper magnet? A view looking straight up from close to the bottom of the cut.

You would never know it by looking at Mike's Rock from above water. The only clue to it being an attractive spot to fish is the fact that when waves hit the face of the rock they explode in a powerful eruption of white water. It seems that the wave's energy is concentrated by the shape of the shoreline; there is a small area where over time the waves have scooped out a small pocket, or cup shaped depression in the bedrock.

The dark ball at the bottom and center of this photo is the center of an exploding wave. The surrounding water is a mass of bubbles that obscures the sun and creates a veil of white water.

The water drops off quickly right next to the rock and on the bottom there is a small reef directly in front of the sheer wall. The gap between the wall and the reef creates a little ravine that is cobbled with stone. This dark little cul-de-sac offers sanctuary from the force of the surge overhead and it's a haven for small bait fish. The breaking waves overhead create a huge cloud of bubbles that diminishes the visibility and provides predators with a place to ambush from.

It’s also pretty cool to settle on the bottom and hear the pounding waves directly overhead. You can even feel the sound waves rumble through your body. If the crashing surf is the “heart” of a wave, then this spot exposes you to the deep “soul” of the wave. You get to feel all that pent up kinetic energy as tons of moving water heaves into a stone wall. It’s an amazing experience and a place I’ve always treasured.

A male tautog roams the bottom near Mike's Rock. The aerated water is terrific habitat for blue mussels and blackfish or tautog just love mussels.

freediving
tautog