Unoffical Scubaboard Goliath Grouper aggregation dives Aug 21-2 and Sept 25-6

[Manatee Diver]

I am sure that we can find you a buddy. I'm not sure about tanks, I would call them, as I am bringing my own tanks.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Anyone willing to buddy up with someone who's been diving for a year? I'm looking at August 21. I have my AOW and been to 70-90' a few times in Cozumel.

I'm looking at the website now, do they provide tanks or would I have to bring my own? I'm looking to go diving at Lauderdale By The Sea the week before, but I don't own my own tanks.

They do not provide tanks but each of these charter operators can rent you whatever tank you need.

 

[Kenderson]

I ended up booking on Aug 19 with Jupiter Dive center. It works out better for the days that I'm around. They do rent tanks so I'm all good to go.

 

[Murphy in NC]

Once a year, from around mid-August to mid-September a metric crap ton of Goliath Groupers travel to South Florida to spawn. They gather all over the place but the highest concentration is on the Castor and the Jupiter Wreck Trek. Both dives are "advanced" in that the depth is below 60 feet, and if nitrox is not required is highly recommend.

The Jupiter Wreck Trek is a pretty advanced dive, it is a drift dive with a hot drop requiring a very quick descent once you hit the water and it is very easy to get separated from the group. So you either need to be ready to dive solo, or the buddy pair needs to be actively monitoring each other to prevent buddy separation. When I was last in Jupiter, I did 5 dives, and 4 solo ascents under my DSMB.

Video from the Castor from a much better videographer than I.

Are there other spots with Goliath's that are easier dives?

Was going to invite a friend however he hasn't been diving long enough for that type of dive

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Are there other spots with Goliath's that are easier dives?

Was going to invite a friend however he hasn't been diving long enough for that type of dive

Nope. They like structure with a typical swift current in the 60-100’ range for spawning. All of the sites in Palm Beach County are advanced recreational sites including the Castor, Corridor Wreck Trek, Jupiter Wreck Trek & MG111.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Ugh... looks like cyclone 7 could barrel through Wednesday or Thursday. That can really stir things up.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

GG season = hurricane season. It’s always a risk.

My dives this weekend are scrubbed due to Fred. Jumped on a Sat afternoon trip next Sat with JDC. Fingers crossed Grace doesn’t trash that. We’ll see.

Also, TS/Hurricane Grace? Really?? Grace means ‘unmerited favor’. What genius thought that was a good storm name?!

 

[Johnoly]

Ugh... looks like cyclone 7 could barrel through Wednesday or Thursday

The Euro model say's PTC7 fizzles at Cuba, but it's still too early.
I dove Jupiter today and talked to the boat on the Wrek Trek. They had over a dozen hanging at 40ft deep cause it was nippy on the sand. Since they couldn't hide inside the wrek, it gave them great photo shots since the GG's wanted to stay together. We've got boats going every day next week and we'll be intouch with them to hear where they move around to. It can be a bit of 'hide & seek' to find the larger concentrations. Yesterday there were 7 inside a big cut-out curve in the ledge. We'll see.
PS. @ROXANNE set me up with a surprise I'm bringing on the 22nd (can't tell ya what yet)

 

[PoolsOpen]

The Euro model say's PTC7 fizzles at Cuba, but it's still too early.
I dove Jupiter today and talked to the boat on the Wrek Trek. They had over a dozen hanging at 40ft deep cause it was nippy on the sand. Since they couldn't hide inside the wrek, it gave them great photo shots since the GG's wanted to stay together. We've got boats going every day next week and we'll be intouch with them to hear where they move around to. It can be a bit of 'hide & seek' to find the larger concentrations. Yesterday there were 7 inside a big cut-out curve in the ledge. We'll see.
PS. @ROXANNE set me up with a surprise I'm bringing on the 22nd (can't tell ya what yet)

Thanks for the update!!
Yes hurricane season sucks, a couple of years ago my GG dive got cancelled at JDC about 1 week after a hurricane rolled thru cause of 0 viz

 

[Manatee Diver]

Thanks for the update!!
Yes hurricane season sucks, a couple of years ago my GG dive got cancelled at JDC about 1 week after a hurricane rolled thru cause of 0 viz

I remember that year, 2019. I am told that the vis sucked for like a month, though I never found out for myself as a medical issue kept me out of the water until late September.