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Old 03-23-2020, 11:24 AM   #3406
dkay
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Vis in 30-40' off Anclote was the clearest I've ever seen as well. We could see the gags head for their holes while we motored over the spots before we even dropped the jug. Got some nice hogs, mangos and sherpas. Took this pic from my phone on the boat in 30'. Temp was 71-72 on the bottom.
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Old 03-23-2020, 02:04 PM   #3407
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Wow! That vis is incredible.
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Old 03-28-2020, 05:08 AM   #3408
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Was able to get out yesterday after a failed attempt on Thursday (buddy's boat had issues 3 miles out).

Went out on my buddy Brian's 26' Glacier Bay with Eibwen (Matt).

Perfect conditions up top.

Lots of boats on the spots we wanted to try on for cobia (wrecks) so we hit some small ledges, a large ledge, and hard bottom.

Viz was OK - not the best, but not crap. Tides were a little strong and most spots we were hitting were done at the strongest tidal movement time.

Up top and down about 20 feet (we were in 40-65 feet) water temps were around 74-76. But then, OMG the thermoclyne hit like bitch-slap. When you aren't used to it, just wearing a 3 mil, and you go from 76 to 69, it wakes you up - LOL. Or maybe I'm just getting old.

No sharks seen. Came across a dead, partially eaten turtle floating on the surface (pretty big one, too - sad).

Not a LOT of fish, and most seen were small. This seemed to be the consistent thing seen all day. Maybe they were close in, or further out, or north, south, who knows.

Still, overall a great day and after the last few weeks I have had (I work in a hospital as an x-ray tech and it has been hell due to Covid) I needed it. No Coronavirus offshore or underwater!

I shot 3 decent hogs (16-17 inches), a smallish mango, Eibwen got a nice hog, and Brian get a nice hog and his first every slipper lobster!
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Old 03-28-2020, 07:52 PM   #3409
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Nice to hear the water temps are creeping up. I'll be the first to admit im a wuss when it comes to anything under 70.
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Old 03-29-2020, 07:13 PM   #3410
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Hit some 80' foot spots on 3/28/20 out of Clearwater pass. Bottom temp 65 degrees. Viz was 60' and crystal clear under thermocline. Picked up 5 lion and 2 Hog and 2 slipper on dive 1 along with a nice mango. Next dive was a wreck and I closed out my limit on mangos there. Brook picked up a couple of mangos as well. Moved into shallower and warmer water. In 47' was 75 degrees and 20' viz. wind had picked up from S and current from S as well. Choppy on way in.

Really a great day. Captain picked up a nice red grouper along with some over nice fishes as well. Saw plenty of nice gags.
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Old 03-29-2020, 07:33 PM   #3411
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Great to see, Dave. Can't wait to get you out on the Pelican soon.
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Old 04-04-2020, 01:57 PM   #3412
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Departed 0800 and back at the dock, done and covered up by 1400. Seas relatively flat, air cool, water 72. Started at 25', worked out to 40' (wanted to blast a few cobia off my favorite spots but all were covered in boats), then back to 20' and worked our way in.

Vis in all depths was 10-15', lots of particulate. Some really large gags in the 25-40' range. Group shot a boat limit of "nice" hogs and about as many snapper. No sharks. If I wanted to chase hogs, I would be in 20' or less, there are some big ones right now.

Awesome day, great group. Heck of a break-in for Wahoo.
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Old 04-04-2020, 04:57 PM   #3413
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seal Rock View Post
Departed 0800 and back at the dock, done and covered up by 1400. Seas relatively flat, air cool, water 72. Started at 25', worked out to 40' (wanted to blast a few cobia off my favorite spots but all were covered in boats), then back to 20' and worked our way in.

Vis in all depths was 10-15', lots of particulate. Some really large gags in the 25-40' range. Group shot a boat limit of "nice" hogs and about as many snapper. No sharks. If I wanted to chase hogs, I would be in 20' or less, there are some big ones right now.

Awesome day, great group. Heck of a break-in for Wahoo.
Sounds like a great day, Rich. My brother said he had a blast and loves the new boat.

Wish I could have joined you, but unfortunately I'm now "on the front line" during this BS Wuhan Flu. Yay, I'm "essential"! Ugh

Can't wait to get out on Wahoo someday soon!
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Old 04-05-2020, 04:07 PM   #3414
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Out of CLW pass 4/4/2020
Dove ledges out in 95-107'. Viz was 60' and crystal clear. Can see above as well as below the thermocline which is about a 10 degree change at 40'. Goes from about 75 degrees to 65 degrees. I limited out on hogs and mangos. No big hogs seen. Lot of big mangos. And of course big gags and big ARS are around.

These dolphins came in on my safety stop.

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Old 04-05-2020, 05:25 PM   #3415
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Out of Clearwater pass this morning to Indian Shores reef, to hit a few barges in search of cobia. Via was TTB in 45’ even with it being overcast. Saw a starfish in the sand from the surface. Shot a king and a few other miscellaneous reef fish. Water was warm in a 3mil but the thermocline is probably a 10 degree drop.

I was shivering all the way back to the marina in the rain, but with viz as awesome as it’s been, just loved being in the water.
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Old 04-18-2020, 09:23 PM   #3416
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

For those not on Fakebook.

An interesting day. Windy.com and most other sources were wrong and the tail of that front grew south to Sarasota. Fortunately I was forced into a later than usual launch which meant we missed the surprise. We unpacked the boat around 09:45, solved the world's problems in my garage and relaunched at 12.

Light winds, swells 3, occasional 4' chop, wind 12-15kts out of the west, current out of the south, vis TTB just about everywhere 25'+ and 73F. No more wetsuits!

Not real fishy, I think the storm, late launch and our depths meant we drove over the fish on the way out. I still think the hogs are in 20' or less like the other weekend but we all agreed on a minimum acceptable level of visibility, the dark green brings back memories of harbors and none of us were on payroll today. We did bring back a cool assortment of things, however didn't see a single gag or shark in 25-45'.

Return trip was 1' light chop and gorgeous. Any excuse to be on the water with some of America's best. It was an honor to share the day with this group.



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Old 04-19-2020, 08:08 PM   #3417
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Out of Clw pass 4/19/20. Plan was to hit some deeper spots, but there were storms and fog out SW where we were headed. Viz was TTB in 70'. Once we dove 100' viz was beat up a bit by thermocline at 80'. But just a bit cooler and more hazy. Did come in and do some diving in 50' as well. Viz there was 10-15'.

Overall slow day on fishes. But glad we got out. Seas picked up in pm outta SW as expected to 3'. Temp 75. Still dove my 2 mil suit for abrasion protection and sun protection.

Got 2 nice red grouper, 3 hogs, 5 mango. Few nice meals.
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Old 04-22-2020, 08:32 PM   #3418
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Out of Clw pass 4/22/20. Went SW and hit some 70-75 foot spots. Viz about 40'. Temp 75 degrees. No thermocline. Lot of bait. Ledge diving. Lot of small fish and some bigger closed fish. Not a lot though. Fun day. Wind died down in pm as predicted. Brook got 2 hogs and a slipper lobster. I grabbed a slipper too as well as a Hog mango and 2 lions. Other 3 guys got 5 hogs, 5 mango, and 2 lobster.

Not super fishy, but real fun day. Nice break mid-week from the actively changing environment in the hospital.
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Old 04-24-2020, 03:19 PM   #3419
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dbrown View Post
Out of Clw pass 4/22/20. Went SW and hit some 70-75 foot spots. Viz about 40'. Temp 75 degrees. No thermocline. Lot of bait. Ledge diving. Lot of small fish and some bigger closed fish. Not a lot though. Fun day. Wind died down in pm as predicted. Brook got 2 hogs and a slipper lobster. I grabbed a slipper too as well as a Hog mango and 2 lions. Other 3 guys got 5 hogs, 5 mango, and 2 lobster.

Not super fishy, but real fun day. Nice break mid-week from the actively changing environment in the hospital.
Sort of sounds like our day on Sunday. Not super fishy, other than out-of-season fish

Hoping Tuesday and Wednesday are decent for viz and conditions. Last chance at Trigger, but May 1 brings us AJ for a month.

And yeah, I hear ya on the hospital environment - LOL. Good times.
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Old 05-02-2020, 07:07 PM   #3420
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Re: Current Vis - Tampa Bay Region (Homosassa to Sarasota)

Any viz and fish reports from today would be appreciated. Headed out tomorrow to get some fish and want to get our 4 amberjack as well. Leaving relatively early and planning to put some miles in. Thanks. Hope those that made it out today had fun and a good day.
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