Jolly Rogers Strikes Middlegrounds. Mass Fish Casualties Reported!! - Spearboard.com - The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Boating Social Media Forum

Dive4Blood · 10-07-2002, 08:11 AM

Check out my report at http://floridasportsman.zeroforum.co...read?id=13469. Great conditions, shootable vis, good crew, shootable vis, and 1000+ pounds of fish. Did I mention shootable vis? The Middlegrounds has ALWAYS had good vis in my years of diving there. Lots of FS Forum and Spearboard members aboard, pull yourself away from the keyboard guys, let's get on the Jolly Rogers 2 and sling mad steel!

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the maiden voyage of the Jolly Rogers 2 out of Steinhatchee, a crack team of subsea slayers from all over the state were assembled including Shooter Dan, Brad B, Interlude, Reef Raider, and Dabull Trouble. What follows are the highlights of another classic Middlegrounds weekend.
Left Steinhatchee Friday afternoon in one foot seas which proved to be the roughest of the trip. Just before sunset we stopped at a ledge 30 miles out in 60' which I checked out freediving for vis and fish. Confirming 10' of the former and lots of the latter, Capt. Jim Z and Interlude strapped on tanks, and headed for the bottom.It was dark when they surfaced each with 14 3-5 pound hogs. Proceeding onward another 45 miles we reached our first stop in the very northern reaches of the MG. A very nice mango bite ensued with gags and kingfish thrown in.

Saturday morning I hit the water with team one, and lo and behold, we have vis!!! Granted below average for the Grounds, but a very shootable 40' nontheless. Our first ledge was loaded, and I managed to nab 6 gags between 8-15 lbs., a couple hogs, and some mangos. The day continued equally productive on all dives as we worked our way south. This bottom structure in the northern MG generally consists of smaller breaks and large expanses of hard bottom in relatively shallow water 85'-100'. After our four dives we anhored up in the evening for yet another fishing marathon. Unfortunately two hours of sleep the night before, beer, lasagna dinner, and being right at our mango limit for the trip pretty much sapped everyone's motivation. Before passing out to the longest night of sleep I've had in the MG, Dabull Trouble caught a 30# blackfin tuna, and a few nice kings were taken on flatlines.

Sunday provided plenty of tales, I'll tell mine, and I'm sure some others will be posted soon. On my first dive of the day we hit a classic MG ledge with a 100' top dropping down to 130'. Hitting the bottom I blasted the first thing I saw, an average size mango, with my freeshaft to get the fish going. As I strung it up, a pod of big aj's started swarming the deep side of the ledge. Reef Raider put one down ASAP while I loaded up the lineshaft of my Rhino gun. I picked the biggest one swimming in the sand at 130' and let fly as I rocketed down. The shaft went through the top of the head, and stoned it instantly. With 34% nitrox at 130', I swam back to the ledge top quickly pulling up the dead load of aj on my line below me. As I'm stringing this guy up, a large male hog swims right in front of me! My line shaft is sitting on ledge with the line wrapped up in fire coral so I unclipped my line leaving the shaft there, and go chasing the hog with the freeshaft. He was swimming away fast from me so I angled the shot, and fortunately hit his lateral line, lights out. Swimming back, I see my lineshaft has disappeared. After 10 minutes of searching I find it in a deep crack in the side of the ledge where apparently it had gotten knocked into with all the commotion. No sooner that I'm ready for more shooting, a 6' reef shark starts buzzing around. Having had enough excitement for one dive, I ascend and subsequently weigh in a 46# aj and 15# hog.

Next week FS Forum member Mad Dog Bite and his posse of South Florida steel slingers are on the Jolly Rogers. Looks like Brad B, Reef Raider, and possibly Dabull Trouble are going to hit the Grounds again in November. Let me know if want to join the festivities, we have room.

Let's get some of those pictures posted!!!

Shooter Dan · 10-07-2002, 08:32 AM

What, we're not worthy of a cut & paste job here. I quess I'll go to the OLD BOARD and view the report, eventhough I was there.

Scott, You should watch out for guys like this. I bet he didn't even metioned that we listened to the Bucs game in the Middlegrounds. I'll send you the photo shop pics later this week for you to post.

I've still got 20 hours left of desat. Hurray!

MADSLAYER!

Shooter Dan · 10-07-2002, 10:09 AM

Roger that D4B, The trip kicked butt! I've got Monday night football, lobster and fresh tuna waiting at home tonight. Thanks for the tuna Dubull

One of my drops was a back dive where a 20lb gag had previously shook the shaft of the diver before me. Once I settled on the bottom, I saw the tail of a 50lb gag in the distance. I followed, but soon lost sight, so I turned and started to take a few mangos. Next thing I see is this big gag just a few yards away. I stayed low and tried to approach him. As he glided away, he passed behind a rock and this was my shot to close the gap. As he came behind the rock, the beast felt the heat of my shaft. It was a valid attempt, but he shook the shaft a darted towards a rock hole. As I turned, I saw the sunlight on the 0ther side and knew this wasn't my day for the big guy. I did see at the same time a nice gag hiding in a hole looking at me. I kept my back to him as I reloaded. I rolled back around and stuck'em and strung'em. It turned out to be the one who was shot on the previous dive.

That's two times in two weeks that I've gotten close to a 50lb beast. I know my time is close to harvest one of these monsters. My best hogs went 14& 12 lbs and my best gag was 20lbs.

Steel Shootin' · 10-07-2002, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shooter Dan
What, we're not worthy of a cut & paste job here. I quess I'll go to the OLD BOARD and view the report, eventhough I was there.

Scott, You should watch out for guys like this. I bet he didn't even metioned that we listened to the Bucs game in the Middlegrounds. I'll send you the photo shop pics later this week for you to post.

I've still got 20 hours left of desat. Hurray!

MADSLAYER!

Yeah, WTF?? Where's the love for spearboard? Last Friday, D4B analogizes FS's new forum to a gunnel hunch after beer and hot wings. But now, a mere three days later, they get top-billing and we get a link.

richhermes · 10-07-2002, 11:01 AM

There ya go! Nothing like a good cut and paste!!

Steel Shootin' · 10-07-2002, 11:41 AM

Yes, much better, Rich!

richhermes · 10-07-2002, 11:48 AM

Now watch me get busted for copyright infringement!!

Dive4Blood · 10-07-2002, 01:03 PM

You're right, my bad. Next report will be on Spearboard. Besides where else can I shamelessly plug the Jolly Rogers 2 without Eric Wickstrom having a gunnel hunch shit-fit in daddy's Primedia boardroom. Not to mention Capt. Moose (mouse?) claiming that I am a cocaine addicted renegade reef sweeping commercial fisherman every time I shoot a fish. Let's not forgot our buddy White Hawk with his Photoshop fantasies, and his hardcore geriatric homosexual porn. Yeah, Spearboard is pretty cool. By the way Scott, could you edit the title of my thread and spell Strike correctly? I have an imaje to maintian hear.

10-07-2002, 04:38 PM

LOL! or is it "over they're"?!

inletsurf · 10-07-2002, 05:24 PM

What an awesome report.

I've been spanking it for about 3 weeks now, and I need to get out here.

But our spearfishing will rarely match the action you all get on those MG reefs.

damn i'll have to save some dough and go!!!

THanks for report...gets my blood going...

richhermes · 10-07-2002, 08:18 PM

Just don't get caught spanking it during a Taco Bellgrande and Hooters gunwale hunch!! Very bad scene!!

dlock · 10-07-2002, 08:53 PM

sweet report, way to slay'em guys!!! Sounded like quite a weekend!!!

*Spear One* · 10-07-2002, 10:18 PM

Sounds like a great time was had by all!

dlock · 10-07-2002, 10:44 PM

except for the feeesh!!!!


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10-07-2002, 08:11 AM	#1
Dive4Blood The Wizard Of HOD Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Gulf of Mexico Age: 46 Posts: 2,488	Jolly Rogers Strikes Middlegrounds. Mass Fish Casualties Reported!! Check out my report at http://floridasportsman.zeroforum.co...read?id=13469. Great conditions, shootable vis, good crew, shootable vis, and 1000+ pounds of fish. Did I mention shootable vis? The Middlegrounds has ALWAYS had good vis in my years of diving there. Lots of FS Forum and Spearboard members aboard, pull yourself away from the keyboard guys, let's get on the Jolly Rogers 2 and sling mad steel! quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the maiden voyage of the Jolly Rogers 2 out of Steinhatchee, a crack team of subsea slayers from all over the state were assembled including Shooter Dan, Brad B, Interlude, Reef Raider, and Dabull Trouble. What follows are the highlights of another classic Middlegrounds weekend. Left Steinhatchee Friday afternoon in one foot seas which proved to be the roughest of the trip. Just before sunset we stopped at a ledge 30 miles out in 60' which I checked out freediving for vis and fish. Confirming 10' of the former and lots of the latter, Capt. Jim Z and Interlude strapped on tanks, and headed for the bottom.It was dark when they surfaced each with 14 3-5 pound hogs. Proceeding onward another 45 miles we reached our first stop in the very northern reaches of the MG. A very nice mango bite ensued with gags and kingfish thrown in. Saturday morning I hit the water with team one, and lo and behold, we have vis!!! Granted below average for the Grounds, but a very shootable 40' nontheless. Our first ledge was loaded, and I managed to nab 6 gags between 8-15 lbs., a couple hogs, and some mangos. The day continued equally productive on all dives as we worked our way south. This bottom structure in the northern MG generally consists of smaller breaks and large expanses of hard bottom in relatively shallow water 85'-100'. After our four dives we anhored up in the evening for yet another fishing marathon. Unfortunately two hours of sleep the night before, beer, lasagna dinner, and being right at our mango limit for the trip pretty much sapped everyone's motivation. Before passing out to the longest night of sleep I've had in the MG, Dabull Trouble caught a 30# blackfin tuna, and a few nice kings were taken on flatlines. Sunday provided plenty of tales, I'll tell mine, and I'm sure some others will be posted soon. On my first dive of the day we hit a classic MG ledge with a 100' top dropping down to 130'. Hitting the bottom I blasted the first thing I saw, an average size mango, with my freeshaft to get the fish going. As I strung it up, a pod of big aj's started swarming the deep side of the ledge. Reef Raider put one down ASAP while I loaded up the lineshaft of my Rhino gun. I picked the biggest one swimming in the sand at 130' and let fly as I rocketed down. The shaft went through the top of the head, and stoned it instantly. With 34% nitrox at 130', I swam back to the ledge top quickly pulling up the dead load of aj on my line below me. As I'm stringing this guy up, a large male hog swims right in front of me! My line shaft is sitting on ledge with the line wrapped up in fire coral so I unclipped my line leaving the shaft there, and go chasing the hog with the freeshaft. He was swimming away fast from me so I angled the shot, and fortunately hit his lateral line, lights out. Swimming back, I see my lineshaft has disappeared. After 10 minutes of searching I find it in a deep crack in the side of the ledge where apparently it had gotten knocked into with all the commotion. No sooner that I'm ready for more shooting, a 6' reef shark starts buzzing around. Having had enough excitement for one dive, I ascend and subsequently weigh in a 46# aj and 15# hog. Next week FS Forum member Mad Dog Bite and his posse of South Florida steel slingers are on the Jolly Rogers. Looks like Brad B, Reef Raider, and possibly Dabull Trouble are going to hit the Grounds again in November. Let me know if want to join the festivities, we have room. Let's get some of those pictures posted!!!

10-07-2002, 08:53 PM	#12
dlock Subaquatic Assassin Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Clearwater,Fl Age: 50 Posts: 792	sweet report, way to slay'em guys!!! Sounded like quite a weekend!!! __________________ ...yesterday don't mean shit...tomorrow's the day you have to face... Exercising obsessive pelagiac assault

10-07-2002, 10:44 PM	#14
dlock Subaquatic Assassin Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Clearwater,Fl Age: 50 Posts: 792	except for the feeesh!!!! __________________ ...yesterday don't mean shit...tomorrow's the day you have to face... Exercising obsessive pelagiac assault

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10-07-2002, 08:32 AM	#2
Shooter Dan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NE Florida USA Posts: 879	What, we're not worthy of a cut & paste job here. I quess I'll go to the OLD BOARD and view the report, eventhough I was there. Scott, You should watch out for guys like this. I bet he didn't even metioned that we listened to the Bucs game in the Middlegrounds. I'll send you the photo shop pics later this week for you to post. I've still got 20 hours left of desat. Hurray! MADSLAYER!

10-07-2002, 10:09 AM	#3
Shooter Dan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NE Florida USA Posts: 879	Roger that D4B, The trip kicked butt! I've got Monday night football, lobster and fresh tuna waiting at home tonight. Thanks for the tuna Dubull One of my drops was a back dive where a 20lb gag had previously shook the shaft of the diver before me. Once I settled on the bottom, I saw the tail of a 50lb gag in the distance. I followed, but soon lost sight, so I turned and started to take a few mangos. Next thing I see is this big gag just a few yards away. I stayed low and tried to approach him. As he glided away, he passed behind a rock and this was my shot to close the gap. As he came behind the rock, the beast felt the heat of my shaft. It was a valid attempt, but he shook the shaft a darted towards a rock hole. As I turned, I saw the sunlight on the 0ther side and knew this wasn't my day for the big guy. I did see at the same time a nice gag hiding in a hole looking at me. I kept my back to him as I reloaded. I rolled back around and stuck'em and strung'em. It turned out to be the one who was shot on the previous dive. That's two times in two weeks that I've gotten close to a 50lb beast. I know my time is close to harvest one of these monsters. My best hogs went 14& 12 lbs and my best gag was 20lbs.

10-07-2002, 11:01 AM	#5
richhermes Nappy Headed Ho Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Z-Hills, FL Age: 46 Posts: 5,416	There ya go! Nothing like a good cut and paste!!

10-07-2002, 11:41 AM	#6
Steel Shootin' Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 6,836	Yes, much better, Rich!

10-07-2002, 11:48 AM	#7
richhermes Nappy Headed Ho Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Z-Hills, FL Age: 46 Posts: 5,416	Now watch me get busted for copyright infringement!!

10-07-2002, 01:03 PM	#8
Dive4Blood The Wizard Of HOD Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Gulf of Mexico Age: 46 Posts: 2,488	You're right, my bad. Next report will be on Spearboard. Besides where else can I shamelessly plug the Jolly Rogers 2 without Eric Wickstrom having a gunnel hunch shit-fit in daddy's Primedia boardroom. Not to mention Capt. Moose (mouse?) claiming that I am a cocaine addicted renegade reef sweeping commercial fisherman every time I shoot a fish. Let's not forgot our buddy White Hawk with his Photoshop fantasies, and his hardcore geriatric homosexual porn. Yeah, Spearboard is pretty cool. By the way Scott, could you edit the title of my thread and spell Strike correctly? I have an imaje to maintian hear.

10-07-2002, 04:38 PM	#9
greyface Guest Posts: n/a	LOL! or is it "over they're"?!

10-07-2002, 05:24 PM	#10
inletsurf Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Melboring, Florida Posts: 7,353	What an awesome report. I've been spanking it for about 3 weeks now, and I need to get out here. But our spearfishing will rarely match the action you all get on those MG reefs. damn i'll have to save some dough and go!!! THanks for report...gets my blood going...

10-07-2002, 08:18 PM	#11
richhermes Nappy Headed Ho Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Z-Hills, FL Age: 46 Posts: 5,416	Just don't get caught spanking it during a Taco Bellgrande and Hooters gunwale hunch!! Very bad scene!!

10-07-2002, 10:18 PM	#13
Spear One Retired Comm. Shooter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 4,567	Sounds like a great time was had by all!