My first Middle grounds Trip

[Grauer]

This was my first and definitely not my last trip to the grounds. We left JP around 7:30 and started making our way to the grounds. The ride out wasn’t bad at all. The next morning we woke up and got ready for our first drop. I dove with Chris Hudgens on a ledge in about 80. There were fish everywhere! Goes triggers and the occasional grouper. It was incredible how many fish I saw. I started popping triggers right away almost forgetting that Chris and I were going to bunny hop down the ledge. Chris and I developed a nice rhythm, with him shooting 4 fish to my one. We continued the method on the rest of our dives. The vis on our dives was limited to about 20ft. I found it to be quit comfortable hunting conditions, despite everyone else telling me that a bad day in the grounds was vis of 50ft. Seas were terrible making everyone feel sick. All in all this trip was the best diving I have ever done in the gulf. I can’t wait to go out again and really get the wow experience everyone is telling me I missed out on.
I have to give Chris the best recommendation possible! He is the kind of Capt. who cares about the experience he offers his customers. He freely offers knowledge and advice that he has gained over years of experience without sounding condescending or derogatory, he even offers valid explanations backing his advice. Hard to find Capt like Chris who isn’t burnt or an egomaniac. THANKS CHRIS

Oh I almost forgot! I do have something to complain about.
I didnt get to sample enough of Chris's gourmet cooking skills. :)

[Brad B]

Hey Seaweed,I also recently had my first MG diving experience on the JR II. Sounds like both of the Captains are very similiar in their desire to help us newbies learn this sport. I got to dive with Captain Jim and it was a great experience.What I found amazing was just how much more productive the guys who knew what they were doing were than dumb ass me.I got to experience that again this week-end when I got to dive with some very good right coast guys.I sure can't wait until I have enough bottom time to really do this thing right.

[johnhermes]

Damn Brad, you sure are making the rounds around the state! I am impressed.

LOB - when do any of us left coasters get the invite????

[Dive4Blood]

Seaweed, glad you had a good time despite the brutal pummmeling I heard you guys took which forced the trip to be called short. Chris spoke highly of you, and looks like you might get taken under the fold of our harcore steelslingers MG network if you are interested in pursuing more trips. Would like to see you on the JR2 soon! Factor the 3 hour drive Pinellas to Steinhatchee, and 4.5 hour trip to the MG for a 7.5 hour net trip compared to a GK 11-12 hour journey all by boat, and the drive up US19 is not so bad. I would limit my exposure to the seas we had this weekend as much as possible, and being behind the wheel in a car beats floundering around 3'-5' seas any day of the week. If you thought your trip was good, wait until you get a flat calm weekend with your typical 70-100 foot MG vis!

Chris is not an egomaniac? Are we talking about the same human?!!! ;) . You also didn't sample enough of his WIFE'S gourmet cooking skills. Relax Chris, we kid because we love. Standing by.

[Steel Shootin']

Hey Seaweed, what did you think of Chris's stringer. That damn thing is a tripping hazard on my boat. :D

[Brad B]

Hey John, I actually got to dive both coasts this week-end.Went out of Crystal River on Friday and got my first dose of really shitty vis on the first dive. Vis was better out deeper but there just weren't a lot of fish around.When I got home there was a message from LOB inviting me out Sunday.Definitely a great week-end.Only thing that would have made it better was if I actually killed something.