Freediving for lobster, crabs & underwater photography - amazing vis in East Scotland

Last weekend we had epic visibility - sunshine and clear seas off the coast of Fife in Scotland. I hunted lobsters and crabs by freediving among the kelps. On the second day I took my Sony a6600 camera in Nauticam housing for some underwater photography. Raul posed for some nice shots above the kelp.
Kingsbarns is near St Andrews in the East Neuk - its a great spot when conditions are good - but that is quite rare!

[@TheTJGavin]

Thanks very much, well put together!

[@imran6223]

Good Luck 👍👍👏

[@PiscatorUK-Fishing]

Nice video and footage Tom👍

[@RogerIElliott]

Lovely footage Tom, interesting take on the lobster population too, very interesting.

[@tjashton]

I dont know the reasons - but they do seem very abundant when most other sea life is declining badly

[@fweigelgmailcom]

I was out that weekend on both days in St Andrews. Lots of lobsters on Saturday, only the fifth I caught was firm enough to keep. On Sunday I went further past Maiden Rock but did not see a single one? The offshore wind especially on Saturday was treacherous, on my way back on my paddle board I stopped a family on paddle boards from drifting out. The dad paddled as hard as he could trying to catch up with his oblivious daughter.

[@tjashton]

I was thinking the same. It was a dangerous day for paddleboarding! That stiff offshore made good diving but was a one-way ticket to Norway for the unwary SUP user!

[@raulbora]

It s great stuff when you get days like these.. PS: picture at 10:10 is well ballanced light wise. Send me the Raw pic when you have a chance pls..cheers Tom

[@tjashton]

Will do mate.

[@Diacdiac]

Amazing video! I used to go spearfishing a bit in France years ago and now live in Cellardyke. I might give it a go Sunday if the visibility stays as good and try to get lobster for lunch!

[@tjashton]

Did you go? how was it?

[@thequeerteacher5410]

I'm guessing the water quality at this part of Scotland is good? I'm looking to do some rock pool foraging in the next week or so for crustaceans and shellfish so any guidance on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@tjashton]

It is good up there. I also eat them from St. Andrews and other places where it’s much less good. Never had any problems. But I’m probably taking a greater risk than other people find acceptable. Generally the colder months are safer and toxic algae blooms should be avoided. High coliform counts should also be avoided. These can usually be found on line.

[@albertoskytwins3527]

Great video man and the visibility is insane, can I ask you where to do a freediving course around this time of the year? I'm from Edinburgh but I could drive anywhere within a reasonable distance, I've been looking everywhere online with no luck

[@tjashton]

No idea, I’m afraid. I heard there’s a guy in Edinburgh area who takes courses to Easdale quarries but I don’t know the details.

[@sammackay304]

What amazing viz 👌 I'm hoping to scope up some lobsters up on north coast before the years out. Got some brown crab but haven't seen the lobsters yet. What depth can I expect to find them?

[@tjashton]

Depends where you are. Out on west coast they are much harder to find, because they could be anywhere. Here on the east coast it’s easy because they congregate in the shallow shoreline.

[@sammackay304]

@@tjashton I'm East Coast, so should have a chance I think. Thanks Tom

[@BR0SE1DON]

Fantastic video, that visibility was just stunning!! I don’t know much about spearing in Scotland, what type of fish would you find? I’m right in thinking bass are quite rare up there? Wonderful lobsters, they’re certainly harder to find down south, they’re potted so hard everywhere. Crab was a beauty, very rare where I dive, I’ve only had ONE good sized one in all my years spearing, such a shame!

[@tjashton]

There’s not much worth spearing round here. Pollack and plaice mainly. Bass are very rare. The lobsters are fished very hard here too but the numbers are holding high. I think it’s because the small ones get a good feed in the pots and then get thrown back unharmed. Females with eggs go back too, usually, so it’s not too bad. They say falling cod stocks reduces predation on baby lobsters too - just a theory

[@BR0SE1DON]

@@tjashton shame about the lack of fish for spearing up there, we’re really spoilt in N. Wales, bass are typically the most prevalent fish you’ll see on a dive. Your thoughts on lobster numbers are very interesting. I think the main issue where I dive is lack of suitable ground, in loads of your videos, I’ve seen rock with beautiful cracks, crevices and overhangs, we just don’t get that where I dive. Don’t get me wrong, the lobsters are about, but few and far between in comparison.

[@TiggrrPowrr]

Jealous of that viz! It's been pretty good around moray the last couple months but it seems to have taken a turn recently.

[@tjashton]

This is once-a-year vis!