spyfish
Registered
While visiting family in Tampa this weekend, I managed to sneak out for my first post-open water certification dives with Capt. Rod and DM Katie of Dive Clearwater.
First, I highly recommend Dive Clearwater. Rod is a blast- very helpful and never condescending. Smooth and fast ride on the Plunger VII.
We did two dives- a wreck and a reef. I'd like to say I know exactly where we went but I didn't have the wits about me to ask. Both dives maxed out at around 45'. According to my computer, I hit 47' at the wreck. Water temperature was 86 F all the way down. Visibility at the wreck was better than at the reef.
Lots of grouper and hogfish at both sites. Some of the guys with us saw a goliath grouper but I either did not see him or didn't think his size ws unusual. Admittedly, I was more focused on diving for the first 15 minutes than what was around me. I did get to see a group of about 6 young adult barracuda. Also, a turtle. Not sure th species because he decided I was uninteresting and swam away. Plenty of blennies and gobies and a group of Ocean triggerfish. Many, many other species that I cannot recall or identify. Sadly, severly bleached coral all around. The health of the coral and fish seemed better at the wreck.
Hopefully, I'll be able to dive more of Florida in the future!
First, I highly recommend Dive Clearwater. Rod is a blast- very helpful and never condescending. Smooth and fast ride on the Plunger VII.
We did two dives- a wreck and a reef. I'd like to say I know exactly where we went but I didn't have the wits about me to ask. Both dives maxed out at around 45'. According to my computer, I hit 47' at the wreck. Water temperature was 86 F all the way down. Visibility at the wreck was better than at the reef.
Lots of grouper and hogfish at both sites. Some of the guys with us saw a goliath grouper but I either did not see him or didn't think his size ws unusual. Admittedly, I was more focused on diving for the first 15 minutes than what was around me. I did get to see a group of about 6 young adult barracuda. Also, a turtle. Not sure th species because he decided I was uninteresting and swam away. Plenty of blennies and gobies and a group of Ocean triggerfish. Many, many other species that I cannot recall or identify. Sadly, severly bleached coral all around. The health of the coral and fish seemed better at the wreck.
Hopefully, I'll be able to dive more of Florida in the future!