Vis Report - Gulf off of Clearwater

[SM Diver]

Went out in the Gulf off of Pinellas and Pasco twice the weak. Last Sunday, stayed shallow, on some ledges in 30' then 20'. Visability was about 5-7 ft.

Went out Wednesday and made three dives, starting in 85 ft, with the last one in 50. The visability has made a really nice recovery. On that first dive, I saw the bottom when I was about 20 ft down. It was 40 ft of good visability. on that last dive at 50ft, still had 25 ft of vis.

For those of you who like to spear, the grouper are still short in this area. I saw dozens, but nothing legal. However, we limited out on Mangos and Hogs. I saw a giant eye under a 5ft ledge, and as I went to investigate, a large jew fish came out, seemingly interested in the four fish on my stringer. On my first dive, I have a team of barracuda's that flanked me most of the dive. They too seemed interested in my fish, but never tried to take one. I held the fish tight up against my chest for the ascent up, as I don't think cudas will come that close to the diver. If you leave one dangling from a shaft b/c you didn't string it up, that's when you'll lose your fish.

The NWS isn't too concerned about Kyle, calling for seas less than 2ft all weekend. Vis is back, the water is warm. I'll be doing three tanks on Saturday.

 

[100days-a-year]

Scott,thanx for the report.I used to do Middle Grounds fishing trips when I was on the west coast.I'm looking to get out there some year to dive it.We're going out tomorrow to see what Kyle stirred up here.We had a minimum of 50' in the 120'deep range with some gin-clear water in 95'deep wreck.Could see from one end of the ship to the other about 150' overall length.What is typical vis out of Tampa during the summer in the 100' deep and deeper range?

 

[SM Diver]

100days-a-year once bubbled...
What is typical vis out of Tampa during the summer in the 100' deep and deeper range?

It's excellent. The further out and deeper you get, the better the vis. The Florida Middle Grounds will frequently have 70' vis. A major storm can screw things up out there, but the Gulf made a very fast recovery after Isadore and Lili. Fortunately, although Lili was powerful, she was compact and fast, leading to the quick vis recovery we had.

In the coming months, vis gets even better out there, but it can be frustrating waiting for the wind to lay down long enough to get out.

 

[100days-a-year]

Thanx Scott,I know what you mean about the wind.NOAA blew our forecast yesterday,we had 4' swell only on the way out and 3-4' chop on the way in with a forecast of declining swell and calm seas .At 44Kts out that's areal joy coming home .At least it was a victory ride.We had 11 mangos 3-7#,1 4# yellowtail,2 24" scamp,7# lobster and hook n lined 2 african pompano 25# and 30# and a few vermillion .

 

[SM Diver]

Tony, sounds like a good trip.

Yesterday, we had retention pond seas. But, yes, I can't count the number of days I have been surpirsed by the forecast. Got caught out in the Florida Middle Grounds a few weeks ago in six foot seas. That was a total ass beating.

 

[Bishop]

Tampascott, at some point I'd like to go out with you and see your spearfishing technique. I know nothing about how it is done and I'd like to see it. Plus, I just want a reason to get in the water. *grin*

 

[SM Diver]

Hi, Mark. First, I want to point out that I have not authored a technique, per se. There are many better and more experienced shooters than me around Tampa. My technique has actually been to surround myself with some of the best spearfishermen in the area, and learn from them. I now have a system for approaching fish, and securing the best angle to shoot. Sometimes, it's not as simple as that. Take the large grouper we have around here. You might have one second to get the shot off, because he is diving under the ledge. If you miss, he won't come back out.

Click here for a photo from last Saturday. I show you this because it's a good view of the gun most of us use. It's a 53" Spearfishing Specialties Commercial. The one in the photo is teak, I believe, and a lot of use rhino. I have both a Rhino and Paulope.

Anyway, having said all of that, we like to have four divers on the boat, and frequently need to fill that last spot. I'll keep you in mind the next time we need a diver, and you'd be welcome to shadow me on the dive and watch me shoot some fish (as long as you're comfortable at 80-110'). What is your general experience level, and do you have AOW or experience in deeper water? Are you Nitrox Cert? Feel free to PM.

 

[100days-a-year]

Ahhh,another one taken by the dark side of the force

 

[Rick Murchison]

tampascott once bubbled...
Click here for a photo from last Saturday.

How do you guys do that? Water that flat in the Gulf just doesn't happen!
Rick (jealous!)

 

[SM Diver]

Rick Murchison once bubbled...

How do you guys do that? Water that flat in the Gulf just doesn't happen!
Rick (jealous!)

I know. It looks like we were in a retention pond. Doesn't happen that often, but we sure enjoy it when it does.