New Personal Best: Destin Report - 24 May 03

[Stone]

Seas: Glass in the morning, 2+ ft by 1730
Wx: No clouds, 70F to 82F
Vis: 40 ft near the top, 20 ft on the bottom
Temp: Forgot to check (maybe 78F)

Fishing boats were everywhere, so we didn't bother with the wrecks. Parked on a small limestone reef with about 4 ft relief. Did all three dives there.

First dive: We saw some grouper, but they tend to head off the reef since there isn't much cover. Got one lobster and had to let some pregnant ones go.

Second dive: Shot a trigger just as a bullshark (7-8 ft) showed up. We probably scared it off, but stopped shooting and looked for lobsters. Got four more. Three of them were right on top of each other, so I grabbed with both hands and got two.

Third dive: New personal best. Got 2 Gos and a grouper with one shot. I saw the Go under a ledge and took my shot (almost point blank with all three bands). I stoned it but when I tried to pull my spear out from the ledge, there was something flopping around on it. Okay, I've shot two fish at a time before, but when I finally got the spear free, I had three fish (unfortunatly, the grouper was short). Got one more lobster on the way back to the anchor.

We're going back tomorrow.

[f94gator]

So that grouper is thinking, "dammitt, this is what I get for hanging out with the wrong crowd - I'm collateral damage in a swim-by shooting!!"

[WreckDiver]

Damn when did lobster season start back up, DID I MISS IT.

[Screen Name]

lobsters..........aren't you, Stone?

[WreckDiver]

forgot about them, are they anygood?

[Stone]

Originally posted by Sceen Name
I think he's talking about slipper lobsters..........aren't you, Stone??

Originally posted by Bugged
forgot about them, are they anygood?
I think slippers are great!

The DIR guys carry an extra mask in their pocket. . . I carry an extra lobster bag (the yellow thing below).

http://www.magnificentrelief.com/images/DIY/pocket2.jpg

[Carcharhinus]

Originally posted by Bugged
forgot about them, are they anygood?
Nah, they're awful. Taste like mud. Trash. No good fer anything... however, you do need to pick 'em up as they keep the good fish away. I'll take 'em off your hands so ye don't have to dispose of 'em, don'tchaknow...
C. leucas

[Stone]

Originally posted by Carcharhinus
Nah, they're awful. Taste like mud. Trash. No good fer anything... however, you do need to pick 'em up as they keep the good fish away. I'll take 'em off your hands so ye don't have to dispose of 'em, don'tchaknow...
C. leucas

I mispoke; Carcharhinus is correct. Don't even think about picking up slippers

[Stone]

Another great day in Destin.

Same Wx as 24 May. Checked the water temp this time (79F).
Did four dives (1 Wreck, 2 reefs, and an M-60 tank).

Once again, the big grouper are too wary, and swim off the reef. Ambush on a wreck is the most productive right now. Could have shot an AJ or two, but I still have some grouper and trigger in the freezer (and 12 lobsters on ice for tonight's "steak and lobster" fest).

Went back to the M-60 tank where I lost my spear a couple of weeks ago. . . I was hoping to find a fish skeleton with a spear in it. . . no luck.