Pensacola Rubble Dives 10/22/2011

[Hetland]

Met up with MrXRay, Recharge and JHayes so Jason could get in some much-needed diving in after a long dry-spell. Seas were forecast for 1ft or less, but we found 3 footers for most of the ride out. Luckily there was no surface current, and we had easy diving despite the choppy conditions.

We did two rubble dives, and found both locations covered in life. I've been seeing tons of moray eels lately, and today was no exception. I probably saw 15 eels, without even looking for them. We also encountered a sandbar shark, two sea turtles (one at the surface and one at depth), and tons of other beautiful critters. Viz was around 50-60ft, and the water was mid 70ish (I'm guessing).

Yes, this is FIVE lionfish clustered together

Anyone know what this is? Never crossed this guy before....

 

[airstream]

Always great pictures....

 

[paulwall]

Anyone know what this is? Never crossed this guy before....

Juvenile Queen Angelfish



I think the other is a juvenile french grunt, or a juvenile tomate. bad angle for differentiation.

 

[Dave C]

Amazingly good pics. They give the impression of being in the tropics rather than the northern Gulf of Mexico. That is A LOT of lionfish.

 

[JEC11718]

wheres my lionfish spear? I know its here in my bag.....

 

[JEC11718]

somewhere....

 

[Hetland]

Amazingly good pics. They give the impression of being in the tropics rather than the northern Gulf of Mexico. That is A LOT of lionfish.

I've never seen as many eels on a single day, much less a single drop. I didn't bring my gun, but I may have to invest in a liontamer pole-spear for such occasions...

 

[JEC11718]

just as tasty as grouper!!!!