Favorite Ohio dive spots

[scubamate]

I haven't been to Gilboa since Dan owned it. Are the paddlefish still there? I only got to see them a couple of times as they were always very timid and avoided the bubbles. The trout were pretty awesome in size then too. Dan got upset with me one day because I stopped at a fish market, bought some trout then invited him over to the campsite for dinner. Of course, I didn't tell him where the fish came from until he turned a very pretty shade of red. :eyecrazy: :58:

If you stay on the shallow side, it's great with a lot to look at. It's also this only quarry I've been to that had fresh water shrimp and sponge. The sponge was located under the hood of the school bus.

The deep side is cold and was dark (even with lights), past the sulfur layer at about 100' so I only used that side for training on the 80' platform. I was always leery about leaving the platform with students as a friend of mine was the first fatality there in '91 or '92?

 

[diverbrian]

I'll always take a wreck dive. BTW, I've been to Tobermory twice myself.

I have the season pass at Gilboa and may need a second page soon. But, then again I almost never dive there in the late spring/summer/ early fall. Those that know me know the reason for that .

I don't have a bunch of experience at the other quarries. I have been to Whitestar. Due to the lack of hyperpure air up there, I can't get fills (or I have to redo the O2 cleaning on my tanks which is a PITA). But, when I went the water was clear and the diving was nice.

Seeing that most of my quarry diving is basically tune-ups for deep wreck stuff, I prefer Gilboa though. It is just difficult to simulate the 130 ft., cold water conditions available there.

 

[Squalus]

I haven't been to Gilboa since Dan owned it. Are the paddlefish still there? I only got to see them a couple of times as they were always very timid and avoided the bubbles. The trout were pretty awesome in size then too. Dan got upset with me one day because I stopped at a fish market, bought some trout then invited him over to the campsite for dinner. Of course, I didn't tell him where the fish came from until he turned a very pretty shade of red. :eyecrazy: :58:

If you stay on the shallow side, it's great with a lot to look at. It's also this only quarry I've been to that had fresh water shrimp and sponge. The sponge was located under the hood of the school bus.

The deep side is cold and was dark (even with lights), past the sulfur layer at about 100' so I only used that side for training on the 80' platform. I was always leery about leaving the platform with students as a friend of mine was the first fatality there in '91 or '92?

The paddlefish are still there, they tend to hang out by the tubes. Got some pics of the sponges really awesome to see. The sulfur layer is about extinct now, but was great when it was there.

 

[Moogyboy]

Okay, you guys have convinced me: I'm gonna have to make it a point to go to Gilboa this summer, dang it.

Question, since none of my fellow club members are within earshot: what's the general dress code at Gilboa during the summer, as in type of wetsuits etc.? Something tells me that on an 85 degree afternoon I'd be suiting up in 6.5mm with a hood and gloves and all...*pant pant* At Circleville, of course, a 3 mm shorty is all I ever need.

cheers

Billy S.

 

[dmax tim]

Depends on the depth, deep is a lot colder than the shallows.

Look here
http://www.divegilboa.com/conditions.shtm

 

[foneguy]

frankenmuth-tom....foneguy here, just wondering how your thing in FL. went a few months ago.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Your going to want the full heavy suit for Gilboa any time of year. I've seen the surface temp go over 70 degrees (I do mean surface, first thermocline is at 1 foot or so) but it's usually in the 40's at 60 feet and 50's-60's in the shallower parts of the quarry. Hope to see you up there!
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[KidK9]

I'm partial to Gilboa myself. I used to be totally against Mike the owner, but now I kinda like him as he's quite a character. You just have to understand where he's coming from and I like to support someone who keeps a place like that going. I mean come on, you can't really find as good of facilities, air fills, stuff to look at, campgrounds, traffic control (hehe), etc. However..I need to buy mself a drysuit. This 7mm crap is getting old.

 

[flashover604]

If you live close to Circleville and want to try something different, Lakeview Park is in Lancaster.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Hey flashover, how about some more info on Lakeview Park. Never heard of it. Lancaster, OH or Lancaster, PA?
Ber