Oriskany Dec 30, 2011

[ReefHound]

Me and a friend are in the area next Thursday to Saturday for diving. Was planning to dive the jetties and springs but would like to work in an Oriskany trip. Anyone know of an op that is running already? We prefer to do it Friday. Could go on Thursday but probably not on Saturday since we need to leave town by noon to get back to Houston for a NYE party.

 

[airstream]

I may be running depending on the weather or you can try USA Scuba in Mary Esther..... Tell Captain Steve that Capt. Jack Sent you!

 

[algulfdiver]

I would run with a minimum of 5.
Check out http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/deep-dixie-divers/198536-all-inclusive-oriskany-thread.html most are still in business but a few have gone by the waist side.
The 6 pk Boats will be your best bet this time of year.

 

[ReefHound]

Thanks all, I think we've decided it will be easiest to just do jetties and springs this time. Dry suits of course. We'll save the ships til we can bring a group to charter a six.

 

[ReefHound]

Once again I tried and failed to find the Portofino site. This time I didn't see any poles at all on the beach and there was no buoy. I think i'm done with this until I can go with a local that knows exactly how to find it.

We did Destin jetties at low tide. Viz was decent at 10 feet but very little life. A few slippery dicks and crabs. The long walk is tougher in a dry suit w weights.

Morrison Springs was very nice. Clear viz, tons of eels, hardly no one else was there.

Pickens jetties at low tide was a delight. 10-15 feet viz and tons of fish. Burrfish, filefish, snapper, spades, etc. From the surface we saw lots of porpoises in the bay, one pod looked to have a dozen.

 

[Dave C]

Thanks for the short report. I have been snorkeling a few times at the Destin jetty in late November, and I also did not see much. When the water temperature cools down in the fall, I have read that most of the fish migrate offshore where it is warmer. I don't know why you saw so many fish at Ft. Pickens, but it is interesting that you did.