Key Largo Area Charter - Help

[steve]

I'm looking for help in finding a spearfishing charter for some relative beginners on my visit to Key Largo the week of October 27th-30th. The group will consist of 6 (3 guys 3 girls) and most likely only be for a half day. I'm the only one who has any experince and that was just a few time in South Africa and Moz. We would all be freediving and the girls would probably just want to snorkel around and look at the reef. We would need to rent equipment plus get someone with experience on location/laws/etc. If there was a chance to get any lobsters that would be great as well.

Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

If anyone is also looking for a partner to help pick up some of the costs on a routine trip I am defenitely available for those dates and I'll ditch the group (although I defenitely still plan to get them to give it a try at least once.)

Thanks,

Steve

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[fernandezh]

Island Ventures. Captain Brian (866) 293-5006 (305)451-4957. On US 1 Mile Marker 104 on W. side next to Sundowners Restaurant www.islandventure.com


The Island Ventures IS the best boat to go out on in Key Largo. It has a max of 10 divers but usually runs with 6 or less. That is a drastic improvement over the Cattle boats that often hold 30 or more. The price for a 2 tank dive is $55 and the price includes tanks. If you dive NITROX, CAPT Brian also has NITROX tanks usually for no extra charge. If you run 3 trips with him he usually gives a great discount.
His boat is definitely the way to go if you want to see the Spiegel Grove (largest intentionally underwater wreck there is). When I went, my friend and I were the only ones on the boat and he accomidated us in every respect. You can't go wrong with this guy, trust me. He is very Spearing friendly and will put you on the fish.

He can also put you on some shallow water reefs that are loaded with aquarium reef fish so that the kids can also snorkel.

Brian also has his own compressor and O2 fill station for NITROX right at the dock. You could do 2 dives in the morning, come back in for an hour, grab lunch while he is filling your tanks and go out for an afternoon trip. Furthermore, he also has freshwater dunk tanks to clean off your gear at the end of the trip.

Try diving the Bibb and Duane wrecks. I speared 2x 20 lb hogs in one dive and Sharpshooter speared a 15 lb black on those wrecks. just keep a close hold of your fish on the way up because you'll have to run the gauntlet of 200 barracuda that live on the wrecks. if you keep an eye on your fish during the ascent then you shouldn't have a problem.

Hector

[deepstops]

Our group has also had very good trips w/ Dive In at mm98.
http://www.diveinflkeys.com

It is a six-pack so that means you'll have control of the show, so to speak. They are $50 (tanks included). There's also a place to eat at the dock (they are inside the Mandalay Resort). They've taken us to some good spots and we've done well with them.

[sharpshooter]

Brian is great, he doesn't run a cattle boat. With the number of people you have going, it'll be your charter. You tell him what you want to do and he'll fix ya up. I went 3 1/2 days with him and had a great time. tell us about your trip when you come back.