Hetland
Contributor
Met up with nyxtom, sontek, GROUPER321 and Recharge for a few dives yesterday. We started out to the West of the pass, and dropped on some private numbers. Viz started off great, but dropped off to a foot at the bottom (70-75ft). Most of the fish were hanging at about 50ft, and included mangroves, red snapper, sheepshead and a few amberjack. I also had a cobia swim up to me, and I'm guessing he was about 36" long. I wasn't confident in my estimation of his length though, so even though I had a shot, I thought it best to let him be. He was at about 60ft in case anyone is thinking of trolling in the next week or so while they are out in force.
We all decided that a second dive was out, so we headed East of the pass and made three drops on some private numbers. The first drop was unproductive, but the viz had come up to about 10ft at depth, so we dropped again at a nearby location. Recharge hand-speared a huge trigger that was deep inside the structure, and broke our skunk-streak. I sat this dive out as I knew our fourth location had the best chance of shootable fish.
On our last dive, I met Recharge at the buoy line, and raced him down to the bottom, where I immediately popped a triggerfish. Literally as I pulled the trigger, I spotted a much, much larger triggerfish just to the right of the one I was shooting. I knew it was hopeless to reload in time to beat Larry to a second fish, but I tried anyway. To no avail. Larry made quick work of yet another huge triggerfish, and I cursed him through my regulator. I later tried to close the distance on some sheepshead, but they were too skittish to let me close, and I didn't have the bottom time to spare patience.
Larry ended up with two huge triggers, and an additional barely legal version. I shot one respectable-on-any-other-day trigger, and we all went home with supper (mostly thanks to Larry).
All-in-all it was a great day. The viz could have been better, but the company was great, and we all had a few laughs. Special thanks to Brandon for acting as or captain and divemaster for the day.
We all decided that a second dive was out, so we headed East of the pass and made three drops on some private numbers. The first drop was unproductive, but the viz had come up to about 10ft at depth, so we dropped again at a nearby location. Recharge hand-speared a huge trigger that was deep inside the structure, and broke our skunk-streak. I sat this dive out as I knew our fourth location had the best chance of shootable fish.
On our last dive, I met Recharge at the buoy line, and raced him down to the bottom, where I immediately popped a triggerfish. Literally as I pulled the trigger, I spotted a much, much larger triggerfish just to the right of the one I was shooting. I knew it was hopeless to reload in time to beat Larry to a second fish, but I tried anyway. To no avail. Larry made quick work of yet another huge triggerfish, and I cursed him through my regulator. I later tried to close the distance on some sheepshead, but they were too skittish to let me close, and I didn't have the bottom time to spare patience.
Larry ended up with two huge triggers, and an additional barely legal version. I shot one respectable-on-any-other-day trigger, and we all went home with supper (mostly thanks to Larry).
All-in-all it was a great day. The viz could have been better, but the company was great, and we all had a few laughs. Special thanks to Brandon for acting as or captain and divemaster for the day.
ilot:I am not, as Denise would say "going to contribute to the testosterone outflowing". I had a blessed day. It was my turn. I know that as snapper season opens everyone will be looking for revenge. (Good luck). Enjoyed diving with everyone. Personal note: sorry you couldn't make it Mr. Xray, read your dive report and it sounds like you had a great day.:cool2: Looking forward to Springfest this weekend and our dive charter.
