jdandvalerie
Contributor
Goliath Groupers are fairly common in West Palm Beach. It's quite normal to see a few of them each dive and dive sites like Corridor Wrecks, Toy Box, Juno Ledge among many others always have groups of 4-5. Around September of each year, however, things get interesting. Goliaths swarm the wrecks in large numbers (approaching triple digits). They are here to spawn, and they remain for a month or two. Depending on the individual fish, they can range from skittish and flighty, to completely disinterested in a diver's presence. Some "bark" if they feel they are being threatened or perhaps they are just being territorial. It sounds like a kick from a big subwoofer, and you actually can feel the reverb 10 feet away.
To add to the experience, bait balls often surround the Goliaths for protection as the Goliaths can't be bothered with the tiny morsels so they are quite safe...at least from the groupers. Smaller schools of Jacks stalk the outer edges of the bait ball and strike when the opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately for the Jacks, the Goliaths will make the effort for a larger meal and the result is a quick clip right out of the food chain.
Fortunate divers can often find themselves surrounded by the bait balls in lieu of the Groupers and really get a close up view. Any quick movement sends a ripple-like effect through the bait ball and gives the diver a feeling of being the conductor to a orchestra of fish.
Here are some photos from the last few days, a video will hopefully be finished in a week or two.
This Goliath was a great model, he didn't care what I did, was easily approachable and patient.
Stacked!!!
To add to the experience, bait balls often surround the Goliaths for protection as the Goliaths can't be bothered with the tiny morsels so they are quite safe...at least from the groupers. Smaller schools of Jacks stalk the outer edges of the bait ball and strike when the opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately for the Jacks, the Goliaths will make the effort for a larger meal and the result is a quick clip right out of the food chain.
Fortunate divers can often find themselves surrounded by the bait balls in lieu of the Groupers and really get a close up view. Any quick movement sends a ripple-like effect through the bait ball and gives the diver a feeling of being the conductor to a orchestra of fish.
Here are some photos from the last few days, a video will hopefully be finished in a week or two.
This Goliath was a great model, he didn't care what I did, was easily approachable and patient.
Stacked!!!
