Near Shore Visability Report

[Steel Shootin']

Made two dives on the way back in from the hook n' line Middlegrounds trip yesterday. The crew was beat, we had plenty of fish, so I just decided to pay two of my favorite near shore reefs a little visit to see:

1. Visability, and
2. If there had been an increase in population.

The first spot was only 12 miles from port, in 30' of water. The current was absolutely ripping. The visability was about 6 - 8 feet. There were mangos and some hogs on that spot.

The second stop was in only 18 feet of water. Again, about six feet visability. I got up over my favorite part of the ledge and saw multiple hogfish and nice several nice mango snapper. Spanish mackeral were all over the place. I've shot grouper here before but didn't see any. However, I was please to see that many decent hogfish, because the last time at this spot I didn't see one. Talk about an aerobic workout. I was doing a "balls to the wall" flutter kick in order to stay stationary over the ledge. The second I stopped kicking, I was whisked away like a leaf in a stiff wind.

In summary, conditions were all right for hunting as long as your confident you can jug your spot and descend over it.