Had an AWESOME time yesterday diving with my new dive buddy, SavageRon

[grey2112]

Me and Ron had been corresponding back and forth for a while on here and were finally able to get out yesterday for a dive trip. Had an incredible time - conditions heading out of Nicks Park at the Hooters in Port Richey were SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH and calm - I was in heaven - you don't get many days like this and us boaters appreciate it - was able to open up the Honda 250 and get 40 mph - we got out to our first dive site, a barge sunk in 25 feet of water about 14 miles offshore. I harvested a big fat 28" gag grouper and a few mangrove snapper, while Ron was taking video - he's never been in very clear viz water and was amazed at the clarity we had (about 50 feet viz) - he also got to meet the resident Goliath Grouper there - always fun to see someone's eyes get huge when they get up close and personal the first time with one of them

Did a few more dives and ended up at the Pasco Pyramid - by that time viz was down quite a bit due to current, but had a nice 38 foot deep dive with a few more snapper on my stringer - the biggest problem there was the insane amount of small/bait fish all around us - really got in the way of trying to find other fish, but it was pretty magical.

Boat performed wonderfully - used my anchor retrieval buoy for the first time and it is a keeper - so much easier to pull up an anchor with it. I also experimented with cooler tie-downs and the icebox and both worked very well.

Learned some lessons as well - ALWAYS use a marker buoy/tosser when you find structure -thinking you are over something and trying to anchor without a reference point in the water can cause undue exhaustion as you swim around trying to find the structure for 30 minutes, and then the current picks up and you wear yourself out trying to swim back to the boat!

Also, tell your spouse/significant other that you will be gone close to 8 hours instead of saying "We're just going to do a couple of dives and not be out very long" - they get worried

Last but not least - pray that you can meet and form a great relationship with a divebuddy that you share common interests, who is safety conscious, and helps out on the boat - me and Ron hit it off immediately and I think we're going to become great friends as well.


https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=DF322839F094FED7!1317&authkey=!AEXVcqQpux_2fLk&v=3

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=DF322839F094FED7!1320&authkey=!AEZS541O-yX9VsE

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=DF322839F094FED7!1321&authkey=!ACc2PfEevCgU92Y

 

[SavageRon]

I believe that's my first review as a good buddy. LMAO

Was a great trip out; and glad we had so much in common above the water as well.
Even the "technical difficulties" like the anchor retrieval system merely just added character to the trip.

I had a lot of fun, and look forward to doing it again; though remembering to reapply sunblock more frequently.

Now I have actually dived in 50 foot viz. I never knew what I was missing.
So now there is evidence and witnesses I have dived somewhere other than Venice: for those who don't believe me.

 

[grey2112]

LOL - yeah, a lot of things learned that day - especially about throwing a marker buoy! Thought I was going to have a heart attack swimming back to the boat - LOL

I believe that's my first review as a good buddy. LMAO

Was a great trip out; and glad we had so much in common above the water as well.
Even the "technical difficulties" like the anchor retrieval system merely just added character to the trip.

I had a lot of fun, and look forward to doing it again; though remembering to reapply sunblock more frequently.

Now I have actually dived in 50 foot viz. I never knew what I was missing.
So now there is evidence and witnesses I have dived somewhere other than Venice: for those who don't believe me.

 

[Naberius]

I'm absolutely jealous of you two! Sounds like you not only had a blast but there might be other outings soon I live in Clearwater, FL and recently got certified, so it's good to see reviews like this. Glad you guys had a blast together! and wow those catches -.-;