Thunderbolt

[Spearchucker]

Anyone have the #'s handy? I am going to the keys the fourth and may run down to hit this wreck. I am in Tavernier, but I figure I can hit the wreck pretty quick by running bayside.

[fishkilla]

i've got em


2439.671
08057.819

look for the mooring bouy that is 20ft below the surface... it's a big white ball or on the other end a smaller yellow one that is underwater also

[f94gator]

John,
How far south is the Thunderbolt?
I intend on going down that weekend as well - I'm with ya!! Can you kill things on that wreck?

[Spearchucker]

Its in Marathon. On Daddy'Os rocket ship it should not take long. Yes you can shoot on it.

[f94gator]

In that case, fish must die.

[Reefrat]

Just dove marthon monday and I hope your viz is better than what we had.But on the upside I did stumble on a nice black about 85ft. in the muck.

[junior]

You can shoot on the Eagle as well and I have seen many a nice fish on that wreck:cool:

[slipknot]

Don't plan on shooting much there,(THUNDERBOLT), it gets pounded daily.Last year we were the 1st. ones there,after 5min on the bottom divers started raining down,by the time I surfaced,there were 6-8 boats either tied up, or tying up.Bunch of camera mofuggas.
Cool dive,but if you want BLOOD , go somewhere else.
Bluegun will be there in Marathon that week,pm him if you wanna hook up,he should be on the fish by then.
Or he might be drunk in a ditch!:eek:

[fishkilla]

ha... that wreck is covered in fish you just have to know how to stalk them. last month when i was there i shot a 13lb hog and 3 15lb true blacks and that was after i had video taped the wreck and keyspearfisher lost a 60lb black. there is bridge rubble off the bow towards the port side that gets stacked with fish. the fish are there you just have to look out on the sand in in spots where you wouldn't think fish would hide.

[Spearchucker]

I shot an 18# black off of the Eagle over Thanksgiving.

[slipknot]

I was there a little later in the summer, and the shooter fish I did see on my drop, were moving out fast.Lots of big "JEWS", managed to shoot a couple snaps.IMO, not worth going there in the heat of the summer,there are alot better places ,in shallower water,to kill.
Those sanctuaries are usually holding some good fish,and lobs:D :D

Did'nt know about the bridge rubble,that might be a good deal.Just too many damn camera tourists on the TB.

[blue gun]

We have been marking new spots of reef with my handheld for 5 years running in that area. We have been going every July 4th week. I now have #'s that produce more fish that the T-bolt just cause of the crowd IMHO. This year I want to dive the old 7 mile rubble 4 miles W of Sombrero reef. Anyone have #'s to that stuff? :confused:

Fishkilla I have shot fish on the T-bolt but only dive it 1 or 2 times a year. Is it illegal to feed the BIG Jew Fish and take pictures? Maybe that would be some good video for you to shoot. If its not illegal i'm gonna try it with my still camera this year.:D

[SLAYER]

if your the first boat on it you will shoot em up..you just have to pay attention to where the fish go..even if they take off go in that derection and youll hit the ruble and thats where youll shoot the blacks and this time of the year you should also find the muttons..if you shoot blacks in the sand keep an eye out cause the muttons are probably right in front of you..good luck:cool:

[keezdiver]

the weekend of the 4th is probably going to be packed on the TB. it is a worthwhile dive as long as you don't mind looking around alot and doing some "saturation diving". the key is to get to the wreck early before all the other "tourists" get there.

here are the numbers off the "artifical reef" web site:
2439.48 8057.9

if you want some company while you are down here give me a PM...i'd love to go out and kill some fish...

oh and take some bait along with you and chum up the yellowtail...they are monsters on the TB.

[Spearchucker]

Anyone know of a good public ramp I can put in near there? I may drive the boat down on a trailer and put in down there.

[mushkee]

theres a couple public ramps in that area...

[Spearchucker]

Where?

[mhuskey]

John - the only one I know of that is public is located on Indian Key Fill just down the road from Bud and Marys - a very primative dirt ramp but good and deep and hard sand most of the time. I launch my 23 seacraft without any trouble all the time. Good location for diving the Eagle and you can run down to the Thunderbolt from there.


Matt

[blue gun]

If you want to get close to the TB then go all the way down until you get to vaca cut bridge. Right before you go over the bridge you will see a purple hotel on the right. They have a boat ramp for a few bucks and you will be able to go on either side of the island. Once on the TB you can do a more shallow second dive at the "drop off" or "the gap". They always have something to chase.

[fishkilla]

DON'T FEED THE JEWFISH!!!!

don't let jewfish associate you with food. it's bad enough as it is. that wreck is litered with them and they've tried to eat my stringers. if anything take the butt end of your gun and smack em on the head. they might not bother you if you feed them but when i go back down in a month i don't want to be the one being dragged through the wreck by my stringer which is attached to my bc.

[keezdiver]

for ramps the one that is right next to Vaca Cut, just south of a restrant called the Quay or another called the island both on the right...that ramp is in shambles...they had it closed for a while. actually you can launch there but there is a huge sign that says "any damages are your responsability" or something like that.

for a good ramp you can go a few miles farther south. there is a light right next to a school on the right...the street is 33rd st and it i s a nice public ramp. you can then run bayside up and go through vaca cut which puts you very close to the TB.

good luck

[blue gun]

Originally posted by fishkilla
DON'T FEED THE JEWFISH!!!!

don't let jewfish associate you with food. it's bad enough as it is. that wreck is litered with them and they've tried to eat my stringers. if anything take the butt end of your gun and smack em on the head. they might not bother you if you feed them but when i go back down in a month i don't want to be the one being dragged through the wreck by my stringer which is attached to my bc.
Yea man get a video of that. Also, they feed those mothers daily. What I do will have no effect on your diving attempts, but I do know what your saying and one might find the butt of my gun before the days end.:D

Shoot em up:cool: