Jupiter - Diving with Giants

[Scuba_Dad]

I dove with JDC on Sept 20 afternoon. We wanted to see the groupers, but there were lobster hunters on the boat and I think they outvoted us because they didn't take us to the wrecks - instead we did two reef drift dives. We saw five big goliaths, but it was still disappointing because we went all the way up to Jupiter specifically to see the wrecks and the grouper aggregation.

On my trip, we had 60% bug hunters and 40% photographers. So, we did one drop for the photogs (WitchDr2172 and his buddy), then the other two dives... Capt Mike dropped the buggers (Myself, OneRestlessNative, and my son Riley) and photogs in separately. On the last dive... we landed on bugs, and WitchDr2172 landed on the Manta Ray...

Overall.. I think Capt Mike was pretty fair... We all got what we wanted... Plus, seeing the Groupers was excellent... that was a first for me...

 

[OneRestlessNative]

I like that 3 tank dive. It really is a good deal, gives more options, and is perfect for a day of diving. Those 2 tank dives go by way to quick.

 

[SSharkk]

I was on the VII with you on the 13th in the PM. You must of been one of the people who got re-dropped, because we never got to see the barges or the groupers :shocked2:

Yep DrJRapp, I was on the re-drop. It ended up being a stunning dive once the aggregation was located. The big babies were schooled east of the Zion Train, just at the edge of visibility, packed tight, and most of them were facing southeast.

 

[SSharkk]

I dove with JDC on Sept 20 afternoon. We wanted to see the groupers, but there were lobster hunters on the boat and I think they outvoted us because they didn't take us to the wrecks - instead we did two reef drift dives. We saw five big goliaths, but it was still disappointing because we went all the way up to Jupiter specifically to see the wrecks and the grouper aggregation.

I was sorry trigfuntions to hear you were disappointed. August and September are the months they aggregate. Perhaps next spawning season a group of us from ScubaBoard can get together and reserve a boat, and do two, three or four dives exclusively with the big beasts. I am game to dive with the Giants at anytime.

 

[DrJRapp]

Yep DrJRapp, I was on the re-drop. It ended up being a stunning dive once the aggregation was located. The big babies were schooled east of the Zion Train, just at the edge of visibility, packed tight, and most of them were facing southeast.

Awesome...Sandy just showed us a lot of sand:depressed: Area 51 wasn't too bad, I think my wife and I were with your grouping on that one.

 

[trigfunctions]

I was sorry trigfuntions to hear you were disappointed. August and September are the months they aggregate. Perhaps next spawning season a group of us from ScubaBoard can get together and reserve a boat, and do two, three or four dives exclusively with the big beasts. I am game to dive with the Giants at anytime.

Well, when I called to reserve the trip I asked specifically if this was going to be a trip to see the grouper aggregation and they said it was. Instead, it turned out to be no different than any other dive you can do any time of the year.

 

[SSharkk]

Great report Jeff!!! We were diving on the Mizpah and saw a ton of them. As you got close, did they 'thump' you??

I'll see you on JDC again soon!

John:

I am looking forward to diving with you on one of the Jupiter Dive Center's boats soon.

I could hear them "thumping" as soon as the bubbles cleared on the drop! Long before I saw them.

As you know, the shark and loggerhead sea turtle migrations should be starting soon.

I am hoping for an outstanding year.

Jeff

 

[SSharkk]

You must have been the one I was joking with about SB... OK... Yup! Nice meeting you. Next time, we'll introduce each other better...

Yes Scuba_Dad, maybe we can get together on the same boat and go on a quest for the big beasts.

Jeff

 

[Jupiter31]

Well, when I called to reserve the trip I asked specifically if this was going to be a trip to see the grouper aggregation and they said it was. Instead, it turned out to be no different than any other dive you can do any time of the year.

That's a shame, but sometimes there is a "disconnect" between the shop and the boat - next time (and they may still be aggregating) when you get on the boat, have a word (in private, if you prefer) w/ the DM, and reinforce that you called the shop and were told that the trip was to see the Goliaths. (At least the 1st dive...)

You could also have spoken w/ the folks at the shop when you checked in - JDC is very good as a rule - I'm sorry this happend.

I dive w/ them often and am frequently unable to do my favorite site, "Tunnels" b/c of the viz (its close to the inlet and is sometimes effected by the outgoing tide - its a fantastic spot but subject to frequent poor viz).

 

[Scuba_Dad]

That's a shame, but sometimes there is a "disconnect" between the shop and the boat - next time (and they may still be aggregating) when you get on the boat, have a word (in private, if you prefer) w/ the DM, and reinforce that you called the shop and were told that the trip was to see the Goliaths. (At least the 1st dive...)

You could also have spoken w/ the folks at the shop when you checked in - JDC is very good as a rule - I'm sorry this happend.

I dive w/ them often and am frequently unable to do my favorite site, "Tunnels" b/c of the viz (its close to the inlet and is sometimes effected by the outgoing tide - its a fantastic spot but subject to frequent poor viz).

Tunnels is where the Manta Ray video was taken.

My personal favorite site is the top ledge of Capt Mike's.