conditions in the keys

[keyspearfisher]

Just thought that some of you would like to know the low down on what the conditions are like in the lower keys. Went out saturday, water temp 70* on the surface, 64* @ 110', the visability at the Adulphous Bush was between 25'-35'. The wreck was covered in small AJ's and sardine schools. Inside the usual mix of school masters and mangroves. One huge Jew patrolling the exterior. With a bevy of beautiful Blacks hanging in the sand just of the stern. Had the most fun hunting the ledge that drops from 50'-90' along the reef. My friend and I bagged two blacks (30" & 32"),four hogs(16"-20")and one lonely mango. The large yellowtail 3#-5# would not come within range.
A shout out to Kevin, thanks for the beautiful red rino, I love the shade of burgandy that it turns at depth. Oh!,and the fact that it shoots like a champ. Very smooth
:D :D Ed at Underseas in Big Pine, and you guys on the board steared me in the right direction. The 54" commercial with the red Rhino,line shaft, and an extra freeshaft on the side works for me. Now if you could only talk the guys at B&B into manufacturing there shafts with a better line stop.(mine would jam on the swage or pinched out metal just before the stop) So I had mister Rocket at Underseas weld on a solid ring around the shaft and then grind the bottom half. Stops the line dead not hint of a jam. Once again, thanks for a quality product and I hope someday you might consider one of your conferences in the keys.
p.s. I'm diving out of Marathon today, a report on my return.

[WreckDiver]

Nice report Tiger, I also have a new Rhino, would like for you to post some Pics. Fish and modifications.

[Reef Raider]

Thanks for the good report .I would like to make 1 bug run to the keys this year.

[keyspearfisher]

Sunday was the first time I have dove the Thunderbolt, and from the little that I saw it will not be the last. The vis was less than 10' and the current was quit strong. But the shear number of fish more than made up for it. On the decent we were greated by a squadron of 3' barracuda numbering in the hundreds. It was like a school of giant racing striped sardines. Mixed in the bunch were some large(40"+) A.J.'s. Closer to the bottom a pod of A.J. swam by, now they number one less. John, my partner, freeshafted him right above the lateral behind the brain--so close--the fish started to swim foward and spiral up, so I blasted him from the bottom right between the gills; to my surprise the shaft didn't penetrate the roof of the mouth. John swam over grabbed the fish, we pushed my shaft out the mouth closed the barbs and withdrew it. While I reloaded John strung the fish, we gave each other the thumbs up and stated to ascend. About 20'off the bottom we were greated by a 9' Bull. She looked very interested in our fish. I love how meaty and bullish these sharks look,especialy when they are posturing. I rushed her as John tried to keep the A.J. from stuggling. The show of aggression was enough to ward her off until we gt to the boat. After this dive I definitely have to go back, but I will have to say I will probably always dive this one with a budy close by so we can watch each others backs. The big predators didn't get that size being dumb or slow.
The A.J. was 33" to the fork maybe a 12# fish. Great fight for such a small fish can't wait to get a shot on a 100#+ one.;)

[keyspearfisher]

here is a pictue if the line stop on my gun!

[keyspearfisher]

same gun different view

[keyspearfisher]

Now that I figured out how to post(with help from bugged...thanks) the photos will roll.

[keyspearfisher]

some fish shot testsing out new 60" gun made aith some S.S. parts.

[keyspearfisher]

All I can say is that Kevin and company work hard for their money making a gun is not as easy as it would apear

[keyspearfisher]

Me wit my new toy

[johnhermes]

Does that Grouper make it??

[greyface]

pinfish

[f94gator]

John, that's just what I was thinking.

But maybe that grouper is 'big for its size'. ;)

[Steel Shootin']

Yeah, he looks about 22"

[fishhunta]

24 inches in the keys

[Steel Shootin']

Ooooops.

[keyspearfisher]

It was 24.875", 2.875 over the gulf limit of 22". It tasted real good last night. Wasn't out to break any records just trying to put food on the table for the mother-in-law in the picture. here's a phot of my dog. I think he would spear if he had apposable thumbs.