Bubba and me went to NC to slay some monsters. Video and pics

[headhunter561]

Bubba and I just spent 3 days spearing on Mars. Thats the only way I can describe it. Words can’t describe some of the images burned into my head. Hopefully these pics and vid will help. I don’t think I am giving away any big secrets here, but the fishery in NC is incredibly healthy. Every ledge we dove was so covered up with baitfish, giant mutant lobster, big scamps and gags ranging from 10-25 lbs. The commotion of the ensuing battles brought in the hogs. And they must have been exposed to some sort of radiation from the military base nearby because they are HUGE.

We went out with Joey Wood on the Willa B. He was one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and took care of us like family. He invited me up after meeting me at the Blue Wild, shortly after my accident. It was a commercial trip but Joey and Randy run charters for up to 6 as well and can do 1,2,or 3 day trips. He is HANGTIME NC on spearboard. Conditions were amazing. 75* air, 78* water. Top to bottom vis in 120 fsw. FLAT seas. I had a DISASTER on my first dive, in the form of my new scooter flooding immediately on my FIRST DIVE. Ruined! I am pretty useless without it. But I was damn determined not to let it ruin my trip. Joey had a little Sea Doo Scooter but you had to hold onto it with both hands so it didn't do a whole lot of good for hunting. I mostly just went down the anchor line and started shooting whatever was there and grabbing bugs. Which were EVERYWHERE. But they were big and hard to catch. I dove 3 tanks day one. 4 on day two and 2 on day three. I would have had a few bigger gags and hogs if I had my scooter but I still got some big fish. Joey laughed when I showed up with my green lobster snare and bag and told me to leave them on the truck. He showed me their technique of distracting them with one hand while grabbing them with the other, where the tail meets the body. It took some practice but I managed to get my limit of 2 every day. None were under 6 lbs and a couple were 8-9. Joey got a couple 10's. I got some big hogs, a bunch over 10, a 15lb female, then on one dive got a new personal best 18LB Alpha (joey weighed it at the fish house and it was 17 gutted so 18 is conservative), a 12ish female, and a 8lb bug!! It will go down as one of the best trips of my life, along with the Middlegrounds with the Headhunter crew. I had such a great time with a great new friend, and an old friend who saved my life. Joey and Bubba THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. If you all want to have a blast and see some ledges that will blow your mind, talk to Joey. Heres the video: http://gallery.me.com/robmurphy561/100011

Here are some pics,

Capt Joey:

Barry and I with big ass bugs:


Double dirt nap

Decent gag

Beautiful conditions

Joey's Southern Hospitality

[headhunter561]

decent female:

decent dive

big bug

me and joey had some fun:

Joey giving a lesson on shot placement:

[headhunter561]

sick conditions

2 PBs on one dive on e little ledge we just found while running. The spot got saved as ROBPBS:

Joeys mutant:

Big hoggies:

[Catalyst]

Those hogs and lobster are huge!
That looks like a sick trip for sure.
Congrats on a couple personal best.

Your ability to stay motivated and overcome obstacles is truly an inspiration.
Keep up the good work.

[seadogger]

you guys rock !!! i wanna go to Nc

[like-fish]

Very nice!

thanks for the pictures

[Man-O-War]

Awesome trip, thanks for the report! MONSTER hogs and bugs

[IslandFever]

Damn boys. Those are sweeeeeeeeeet

Congrats on the personal bests

[headhunter561]

vid is coming. The HD version keeps crashing my computer so I am gonna have to try lower resolution Too bad cuz the clarity in HD is incredible.

heres a better "double dirt nap":

[Guido4198]

DAMN...I got a lot to learn about diving N.C....!!!
Thanks for the first lesson..!!

[ScHaK]

Sick trip for sure. Sucks about the scooter but it looks like you didn't have to go far to find some monsters.

[seadogger]

Rob...would love to have any info as to the charter you were on and website if any. Also were did you stay. I would like to do a two day trip if anyone wants to share a ride and room. Thanks alot
Jimmy

[dub diver]

I miss NC!! Good stuff

[LoGiiCz]

those are some huge lobsters

[reefthief]

Awesome Rob! Glad to have you and Barry back! I've been to NC once to video Sand Tiger Sharks and the weather was great but they wouldn't run offshore in more than 2-4??? it was waay out. Saw Scamps that looked like big Blacks hanging all over the wrecks. Sweet. Can't wait to see more.
John