08-18-01
Lobster, grouper, snapper.
68F water temp
Mild surge, light current.
Great vis, 15'+
I went out on Saturday the 18th, and had three excellent dives.
The first dive was on a reef that is located far from the main area we like to dive. I opted to dive this area due to a report from Red in Daytona. He told me that he had heard that the vis was bad and the water was cold. I had no idea if we would find good water, but you never know unless you go. When I descended, I hit a thermocline after thirty feet. It was chilly, but I always dive in a 7mm suit and never gave it a second thought. There were things floating in the water, but the vis stayed out to about thirty ft on the bottom. Andy and I were diving together on this dive, and he had not seen this ledge before. We pulled some bugs and fish.
Dive two was on a ledge just off the one we were already on. We wanted to stay in the area with good vis. We hit the reef and found conditions deteriorated a little, but we could see 20' and that was plenty. I gathered the rest of my limit of bugs and started to explore. It was more caves than I remember from the last few dives, but I recognized the big ones. This ledge is one of my favorites. Andy collected a nice genuine Red Snapper for the table.
Dive three was a little worse conditions yet. The vis had closed to around 15 ft, perfect for THE SEAHUNTER, but the temp had dropped too. I felt it a little at the end of the dive, and wondered how the new seahunter was diving in shorts. This was a new dive for Andy and myself. We were heading to a familiar spot and crossed something. After turning around, we ran up and down the ledge trying to find bigger structure. We decided to dive the spot we crossed, and was it worth it. This ledge was alive with gag grouper. There must have been hundreds of them swimming in and out of the caves. Too bad they were all three inches long. The reef was a jewel for the tropical fish collector. We ended the day after dive three, and headed back to the inlet.
The Moose
First report from DB2
Water Temp. 64 degrees
Vis I think I see my fins? Maybe.
Fish Already chilled. Should be very fresh.
Bugs How do you like your eggs?
Sharks Must be attracted to the cold water.
Moose's reply
Mr. B,
Thank you for the report. I believe it is your first submission to the moose.
And
I really liked your style of writing.
I went out Saturday, and the vis was 30 on one, 20 next, 15 next. Tony said Tom couldn't see his weight belt. Bummer, the big black hand is reachin in from the depths. Hope it is short lived, pray for east winds.
Moose
PS Did you see sharks? I heard they had all ran away from the cold water to the beach where the drumsticks hang from the edges of the surf boards.
