SpearMax – Max Depth = Actual Depth!

[SpearMax]

I started this section on technical spearfishing to explore new frontiers in the sport. More and more people are venturing into the realm of technical spearfishing which is any hunting below the recreational limit of 130 feet. I always encourage people to get the right training and equipment before doing this aspect of the sport of spearfishing. :cool:

I personally know a few people who do not have the proper training and equipment and still do “bounce dives” on locations they probably should not be messing with. They reason “Oh ….. I’m not going to go that deep and I will only be down a few minutes.”

I believe this is very faulty logic. :slap:

So, on this past weekend’s deep dive, I have a good example of

Max Depth = Actual Depth

As a technical spearfisher, I believe you must plan that your actual depth will be your maximum depth. In other words, you should always treat your dive planning as though you will end up on the bottom at the deepest possible point. :eek:

So, here is the story. On Saturday April 14, JfJf and I went out the Palm Beach Inlet for a splash on my boat. We both landed nice dinner fare :toast:

– me a 9 pound mutton snapper at 230 feet and JfJf a 14 pound black grouper at 70 feet. Jim’s dive was on a bridge structure area.

[SpearMax]

My dive was on a deep wreck called Korimu which had lots of big Amberjacks that day.

[SpearMax]

Towards the stern, I spotted a nice mutton heading down toward the prop area.

[SpearMax]

I followed him and placed a steel shaft in his head. The mutton dove straight for the bottom at 230 feet a little east of the stern. :(

Knowing how muttons can shake a shaft better than most fish, I followed him down and found myself on the bottom in the sand with swarms of AJ zig-zagging in and out. :cool:

[SpearMax]

The shot was good and I proceeded to string him with my lift bag stringer. I sent it up and almost had it hang up on the ship. I reloaded my gun and being a little narced I almost ran into an overhanging pole.

[SpearMax]

The following shots are of the strange red algae I have been seeing growing in that area. See that the colors are properly balanced for my flashlight and speargun. I need to collect some samples of the algae for the county biologist and some scientists at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Ft. Pierce.

[SpearMax]

These shots show the FADS in closer detail on this wreck.

[SpearMax]

More Fads stuff.

[SpearMax]

My last shots. Note the little baitfish. ;)

[Mobile Diver]

Great pics as always, Tony!!

[OceanEd]

Great Pictures.

[Johnoly]

The red algae is been working it's way up the coast. I'm wondering what kind of growth it will take as the waters warm up.

Nice fish!!

[Man-O-War]

Good job guys

[Nsearch]

230 feet for a 4 pound mutton? :confused:

Cool pics though.

[WonderBoy]

according to the report, it's a 9 lb mutton, but a good point!

[aue-mike]

Nice pics Tony ;)

[SpearMax]

230 feet for a 4 pound mutton? :confused:

Cool pics though.

Bryan, good point. It was 9 lbs though and made a great meal for four. Last weekend on that wreck I shot nothing. So, my return on investment was even less. However, I think as the wreck/artificial reef matures, it will become more productive. I hope. ;) :cowboy:

[Slay Ride]

nsearch is just jealous you were diving while he was motoring his computer....................

[inletsurf]

Is this that same wreck that was deployed not too long ago that you were the first to dive?

[Nsearch]

nsearch is just jealous you were diving while he was motoring his computer....................

I am jealous Slay Ride :D

[Louis Rossignol]

Tony, why didn't you nail one of those AJ's, I'd rather eat that than a Mutton.

[SpearMax]

Is this that same wreck that was deployed not too long ago that you were the first to dive?

Yes Steve, come on down here and do it. You always have an open invitation! :cowboy:

[SpearMax]

Tony, why didn't you nail one of those AJ's, I'd rather eat that than a Mutton.

I'm going to have to get your recipes for AJs Louis. We just don't shoot them down here as a rule. Tony :cowboy:

[bubblejunkie]

They are great for smoking and are good fresh fish, but over here they just have to many worms, not worth the mess.

I shot a small one the other day and it was gross worms totally throughout the whole thing fillet and all.

We rarely get worms in Gulf Aj's though, I'm guessing it's the same in LA, from what I remember anyway.

[SpearMax]

They are great for smoking and are good fresh fish, but over here they just have to many worms, not worth the mess.

I shot a small one the other day and it was gross worms totally throughout the whole thing fillet and all.

We rarely get worms in Gulf Aj's though, I'm guessing it's the same in LA, from what I remember anyway.

Jerry, that was a great explanation. I always wondered why we east coasters shy away from them and the Hell Divers seem to love them. Thanks, Tony :cowboy:

[Bottom Dweller]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SpearMax
Then, there is the drunken, mind-altering effects of nitrogen narcosis to deal with below 130 feet or so. Everyone is affected differently. Lucky for me, I am pretty good with nitrogen narcosis and am able to operate at those depths and retain most of my faculties.

Quote:
for example you do not believe me when I say narcosis does not affect me as much as it does other people. Hundered of deep dives on air have shown me what I can and cannot do.

I reloaded my gun and being a little narced I almost ran into an overhanging pole.

:scratch: :scratch: :scratch:

Tony Helium is your friend. With your experience, a Helitrox or HeliOx class can be done in a day, class in morning and a couple dives later that day. Then take the time to get your full blown Tri-Mix. I really don't have much experience with this but the little I have tells me I am a lot better off with the Helium. On Mondays, I keep worrying these stories are gonna end bad. Nice photos and Mutton.

[inletsurf]

Jerry, that was a great explanation. I always wondered why we east coasters shy away from them and the Hell Divers seem to love them. Thanks, Tony :cowboy:


He's absolutely serious, every AJ I have ever shot on the east coast has only about 1/4 meat worth a shit. You might as well throw the whole tail section to the anus away, since it is so packed with worms you may wonder how the fish was able to swim.

I have always wondered why the gulf coast aj's are so clean.

[gcracker89]

Tony wonderful pictures and great narative, I look forward tomore of your adventures. I spent the weekend in front of the computer. 8' seas and a mouth full of sore teeth, Monday I was rewarded with 3 + hour in a dental chair getting a root canal. well there is alwatys next weekend. Great story

[stevemc1]

I dont think I have seen a worm in an AJ from these parts. But I do see some in Red grouper occaisionally. I never have seen one cut open on the East coast. I had heard that AJs are wormy when I was young, but I guess that comes from the East coast.

[Louis Rossignol]

We don't have alot of worms in our AJ's, even on the big ones. Maybe a few around the tail. But on the smaller ones , no worms.

When I was in the Bahamas spearing Nassau Groupers, those things were loaded with worms. The locals told me they won't eat it if it doesn't have worms, something would have to be wrong with it.