I was going to put this in Florida, but I figured we are Mid Atlantic Bottom Feeders, so here:
Dove March 23 Oriskany Gulf of Mexico
Vis 40-60
Temp 66F
What can I say- its an aircraft carrier! There was an amazing amount of life on it for being down 10 mths. We saw trumpet fish, banded shrimp, Gobies, Queen Angel, etc. Our mixes were too hot to go to the flight deck, if you go, the boats want to see 30% or less- in case you drop too far- we had 32 when our tanks cooled. The ship is really clean inside- no cables etc, unlike a lot of reefs. If I were to go again, I think I'd wait a year though, let more life get there.
March 24
dive 1: Pete Tide
One of the best reefs I've seen, lots of fairly easy penetrations, (with proper guidance and training), lots of life. Depths 110 or less. Temp 66. Vis 60-70
dive 2: Russian Freighter aka San Pablo
Real wreck, very broken up (wire dragged) you name it, the fish was probably there. Would make a great spearfishing site- flounder snapper, grouper- food city. Saw a few toad fish, moray eel, huge cucumbers. (sorry I can't name more, I suck at fish ID-more interested in wrecks) Haning on the line at 50 or so feet, an entire school of Angels- unbelievable. Temp 66 Vis 80 Depth 85
dive 3: USS Massachusettes
OK, so everyone else was too burned out to hit this one, so the DM and I splashed. We weren't sure if we were going to get there in time- has to be at slack tide, so I had brought 2 sets of doubles for the day, figuring we'd hit something else. After splashing, I dropped all the way to 21 ftsw and hugged the sand to the wreck. Everywhere above me were Jellies- fascinating. The size of this wreck is unbelievable. The armor is 18 inches thick. We went inside the place the turrets sat, dropped below the sand to 30 odd. Sponges spider crabs, etc. The DM gave a great tour, inside, outside, just awesome. Surge was getting worse, so we headed back to the boat. Saw a guy spearfishing- I think he did a double take on me, after all, what type of airhog needs doubles on a 20 ft wreck!
All in all, one of the best weekends I've had in a long time. Gonna go again.
-Jay
Dove March 23 Oriskany Gulf of Mexico
Vis 40-60
Temp 66F
What can I say- its an aircraft carrier! There was an amazing amount of life on it for being down 10 mths. We saw trumpet fish, banded shrimp, Gobies, Queen Angel, etc. Our mixes were too hot to go to the flight deck, if you go, the boats want to see 30% or less- in case you drop too far- we had 32 when our tanks cooled. The ship is really clean inside- no cables etc, unlike a lot of reefs. If I were to go again, I think I'd wait a year though, let more life get there.
March 24
dive 1: Pete Tide
One of the best reefs I've seen, lots of fairly easy penetrations, (with proper guidance and training), lots of life. Depths 110 or less. Temp 66. Vis 60-70
dive 2: Russian Freighter aka San Pablo
Real wreck, very broken up (wire dragged) you name it, the fish was probably there. Would make a great spearfishing site- flounder snapper, grouper- food city. Saw a few toad fish, moray eel, huge cucumbers. (sorry I can't name more, I suck at fish ID-more interested in wrecks) Haning on the line at 50 or so feet, an entire school of Angels- unbelievable. Temp 66 Vis 80 Depth 85
dive 3: USS Massachusettes
OK, so everyone else was too burned out to hit this one, so the DM and I splashed. We weren't sure if we were going to get there in time- has to be at slack tide, so I had brought 2 sets of doubles for the day, figuring we'd hit something else. After splashing, I dropped all the way to 21 ftsw and hugged the sand to the wreck. Everywhere above me were Jellies- fascinating. The size of this wreck is unbelievable. The armor is 18 inches thick. We went inside the place the turrets sat, dropped below the sand to 30 odd. Sponges spider crabs, etc. The DM gave a great tour, inside, outside, just awesome. Surge was getting worse, so we headed back to the boat. Saw a guy spearfishing- I think he did a double take on me, after all, what type of airhog needs doubles on a 20 ft wreck!
All in all, one of the best weekends I've had in a long time. Gonna go again.
-Jay