5-13-00
The ride out was nice. As we jugged the ledge the starboard engine quit. First dive was with Andy. We made it to the bottom and found a 4’ relief slope with live rock and coral. There were too many little tropical fish to count. There was not much for undercut, so not many fish of any size. I went north staying on the slope; Andy went west to explore the top of the reef. As I continued north, I could see through the haze what appeared to be huge snapper boiling in and out of a cave. These weren’t the snapper I usually find, these were genuine red snapper and all around 15 to 20 lbs. I lined up for a shot and saw a grouper below the school of snapper. I took the grouper and reloaded the gun. This was a deep reef, and time was not on my side. I lined up on a red snapper, and shot him next. While I was getting the gun reloaded for another shot, a large predator came through spooking all the fish. It was time to go, so I started up. Andy was staying a few extra minutes due to the nitrox and the 120cf tank. As ledges, I must say this one had it all. Stone fish, eels, telesto ( I think ), large ivory coral ( I think ), and lots of others. There was a thermocline at 70’ where it went from unlimited vis to around 10’ and the temp was 65 F. I was not uncomfortable. Andy said there was a school of 10- 15lb mahi around him on his safety stop, and they wouldn’t leave him alone. The engine started with a little help.
We headed inshore in search of shallow water for a green diver. What a blessing. We didn’t even make it to our spot when Andy noticed a peculiar hump on the depth finder. We reciprocated and found it. Steve decided to dive it with the green one. She never made it to the bottom, and Andy was watching her like a hawk so he jumped in the water to help her. All those skills he learned in divemaster training really paid off when I saw how well he handled the situation. Steve decided to go on down and investigate the new monolith. I trust Steve to tell me the truth, but I am having a hard time with this story. He said there was “tons of lobster”, but one was obviously the granddaddy. He said the hole was 4’ tall and the lobster was standing on his feet with his back touching the top of the rock. He said the legs were close to 5’ long. Wow. I can’t wait till season opens up. He also saw 1 slipper, with berries. No large game, few mangos.
Andy and I suited up for the ledge St Louis. We have done this ledge a bunch of times, and every time I find something neat. This time, I couldn’t help but notice the coral. Pink and purple stony coral. I can’t believe how blind I have made myself with large fish.
Our third dive was just north of St Louis, Springfield. This ledge is a meandering crack that has undercut farther than you can see, even with a UK1200 light. Andy decided to leave his killing gear on the boat and took a small net instead. We three hit the bottom and found the ledge to be alive with swarms of colorful reef fish. Andy was immediately at work looking to capture something for the tank. Steve and I went east looking for something to grill. It was cold and 15’ vis, no sign of fish worth killing so we ended the dive at the 30 minute mark. Andy stayed down, but he was still using 120’s and a great mix. I now have a few fish in the salt-water tank that came from Springfield. The first one is a bridled goby. What a beauty. The next one is a bandtail puffer. I have to keep an eye on this one, as he will grow to eat all the others. The yellow tail damselfish I cannot positively identify yet. All are doing well and eating. The puffer is my favorite because he is so small, and doesn’t take any bullying from the bigger fish.
Capt Moose For more photos, click here. HOME
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BANDTAIL PUFFERS
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I haven't received Tony's report yet, but he has started sending photos.
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