View Full Version : Scuba Divers
saltydad
09-07-2010, 05:00 PM
I know there are some divers here outside of Dave and me. Lets post our certification(s) and see how many of us there actually are. I hold YMCA/CMAS Basic and NAUI Open Water and Rescue Diver certifications, and have been diving in freshwater rivers and quarries, and the Chesapeake Bay, wreck diving in the Atlantic off of Long Island, Maryland and New Jersey, and the Caribbean (Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Martinique, St. Lucia). I started diving in 1965.
Jack Daw
09-07-2010, 05:32 PM
I know there are some divers here outside of Dave and me. Lets post our certification(s) and see how many of us there actually are. I hold YMCA/CMAS Basic and NAUI Open Water and Rescue Diver certifications, and have been diving in freshwater rivers and quarries, and the Chesapeake Bay, wreck diving in the Atlantic off of Long Island, Maryland and New Jersey, and the Caribbean (Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Martinique, St. Lucia). I started diving in 1965.
LOOOOOL. I just talked to Rick (rick2001) from Italy, he's a passionate scuba diver (currently diving in the Red Sea) and asked him to create a scuba thread. He thought it would be a nice idea to share his images, experience and stories and agreed to creating the thread after he returns from the vacation. I see you have beaten him to that date, Howard. Very nice thread, keep the pics rolling and all your experience and stories are more than welcome.
Rick also showed me some really amazing pics from his trips all over the waterworld, so when he returns, he might show us pictures as amazing as anyone could wish for.
:bananas_b
Me myself I used to be a freediver and a good one for my age, but I stopped that activity due to no access to the sea. :)
Caloosamusa
09-09-2010, 09:39 AM
I'm a certified diver, PADI Rescue Diver, NSS-CDS Full Cave Diver, TDI Advanced Trimix Diver. I've been on the east and west coasts of Mexico, the Phillipines, Honduras, Belize, Caymans, Jamaica, Bahamas, California, North Carolina and of course Florida. I have several copyrighted films I used in teaching Environmental/Marine, Physical, and Earth Sciences, and I'm currently having another copyrighted now for publication and sale, as a classroom teaching tool.
I do a little diving. This time of year I cannot make it to the forum much for this reason.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32326&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32326)
This is a not so good picture of a Goliath Grouper I took in the Gulf of Mexico.
:2239:
Jack Daw
09-09-2010, 12:49 PM
How much do you pay for a good underwater camera?
Caloosamusa
09-09-2010, 04:09 PM
The Camera is only a small part, the U/W casing is more than the camera and the U/W lights are five times as much as the camera. It really depends on what you need the system for. The price range is very wide beginning at $500, to get started. 'Hope this helps. :2239:
island cassie
09-09-2010, 04:56 PM
Things have changed a lot since my day (when younger I promised I would never say that!!!) but my trusty Nikonos 5 with strobes is as good as the day I bought it. Now with digital and u/w casings - I think it boils down to how much you want to spend really. I was initially PADI certified in 1982 and dived the untouched Red Sea in Saudi Arabia and towards Sudan (down south where tourists can't go) for 9 years, Persian Gulf, Maldives. The diving here in the DR is poor (in spite of what the dive shops say) so I have hung up my fins!! (getting too old too I have to admit!)
Jack Daw
09-09-2010, 05:54 PM
The diving here in the DR is poor (in spite of what the dive shops say) so I have hung up my fins!! (getting too old too I have to admit!)
Why is it so? Lack of fauna and flora in the seas surrounding the island? Or just bad infrastructure and support?
MediaHound
09-09-2010, 06:19 PM
Just a plain old PADI open water diver here.
I was certified though when I was 12 years old, the youngest diver they certified. I started taking the course when I was 11 so when I turned 12 I could test and get certified (12 was the minimum age needed).
I love to dive and wish there was more time that I could find to do it. I have dove all around the Caribbean: Roatan (Honduras), Mexico (Cozumel), Jamaica, Florida Keys.. and also on the other side of the world in the Red Sea as well (Eilat).
Great thread, thank you saltydad for starting it.
island cassie
09-09-2010, 08:21 PM
Jack - few fish and very poor coral/sponge around! The Americans say it is due to overfishing - but european environmentalists say that because of cold water clothes washing in the rivers releasing phosphates and the residue from the gold mining in the interior spilling mercury into the rivers, the reefs are dying and the coastal fish are not fit to eat - I know I wouldn't eat them!!
bencelest
09-10-2010, 03:01 AM
I used to be a scuba diver a long time ago. I was certified YMCA when I was living at Lakeland Florida. I dove in many places in Florida Springs, lakes , Florida Keys, California, ahamas, Hawaii and the Philippines in a span of many years but I hang up my fins when I got a job in the desrt at Twenty Nine palms Calif. While there, I had a knee operation and I developed mild ashma. I just enrolled my 3 teenagers and become Padi certified last month. The instructor tried to convince me to get a refresher course when he found out I was a certified scuba diver. I told him I was too old to dive anymore. He said the best diver he had was a 85 y.o. man. But I am afraid to start because of all the things I have to carry and of course my ashma. I think someone has to push me hard for me to start again so I can dive with my kids. I plan to go to Cancun next Spring and the Philippnes for a vacation with my kids next summer. I already bought the package vacation in Cancun and I have about $450 air miles I can deduct from my plane ticket. I also can exchange my 2- weeks time share condo in Maui Hawaii to a 2-week stay in Palawan, Philippines.
So I am all set. What do you think guys, shall I go for it?
rick2001
09-10-2010, 03:45 AM
Hi, just a quick note from El Quseir... (fishes are waiting for me)
I'm a padi instructor and scuba is one of my many interests , togheter with surf/windsurf, 'bananas (of course) animals, nature, travels and ecology.
I'm also an underwater photografer and I use a Canon eos 350D with a Sea&sea case , an yS110 strobe and two lenses (a 18-55 and a 60mm macro).
I'll put uop some pics of this vacations ASAP... for the moment you may want to look at other pics I took on past scuba travels:
Indonesia subacquea pictures by rick2001 - Photobucket (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/rick2001/Indonesia%20subacquea/?start=all)
Indonesia pictures by rick2001 - Photobucket (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/rick2001/Indonesia/?start=all)
Marsa Alam pictures by riccardo_d - Photobucket (http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m133/riccardo_d/Marsa%20Alam/?start=all)
marsa alam maggio pictures by riccardo_d - Photobucket (http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m133/riccardo_d/marsa%20alam%20maggio/?start=all)
Dahab pictures by riccardo_d - Photobucket (http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m133/riccardo_d/Dahab/?start=all)
This one is one of my favourite.... I took it at Elphistone :
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m133/riccardo_d/marsa%20alam%20maggio/marsa-19-05-2009045.jpg
I'have to go ..... my buddy is going to the diving without me !!!
Bye
Rick
island cassie
09-10-2010, 03:52 AM
Great picture Rick!!!
Caloosamusa
09-10-2010, 07:07 AM
Excellent picture Rick!
One Video I made was of Caribbean Reef Sharks and Bull Sharks off Florida's east coast. It was a rush. I kept an eye on their pectoral fins the entire time, except when they were behind me. It was intense.
My students that got to see it really liked it. :2239:
MediaHound
09-10-2010, 08:50 AM
I used to be a scuba diver a long time ago. I was certified YMCA when I was living at Lakeland Florida. I dove in many places in Florida Springs, lakes , Florida Keys, California, ahamas, Hawaii and the Philippines in a span of many years but I hang up my fins when I got a job in the desrt at Twenty Nine palms Calif. While there, I had a knee operation and I developed mild ashma. I just enrolled my 3 teenagers and become Padi certified last month. The instructor tried to convince me to get a refresher course when he found out I was a certified scuba diver. I told him I was too old to dive anymore. He said the best diver he had was a 85 y.o. man. But I am afraid to start because of all the things I have to carry and of course my ashma. I think someone has to push me hard for me to start again so I can dive with my kids. I plan to go to Cancun next Spring and the Philippnes for a vacation with my kids next summer. I already bought the package vacation in Cancun and I have about $450 air miles I can deduct from my plane ticket. I also can exchange my 2- weeks time share condo in Maui Hawaii to a 2-week stay in Palawan, Philippines.
So I am all set. What do you think guys, shall I go for it?
I've seen a regulator that you put your asthma inhaler inside and it can spray it for you if needed.
Wow, Rick, that is an amazing photograph. Thank you for posting it.
rick2001
09-10-2010, 09:19 AM
So I am all set. What do you think guys, shall I go for it?
You defintely should..... sharing such emotions with your kids is priceless...
I've been in Philippines and if you tell to the diving center you have problems with carring heavy weights such as scuba gear they will be more than happy to detach a young boy to help you so that would be of no concern.
I've been in Moalboal, (Cebu) and I liked it a lot, but I've been told that Palawan is much better...
My only advive would be to go for it but before going to cancun I'd ask an instructor to refresh you the basics in a pool , so you can enjoy Cancun's best spots and cenotes without loosing time to refresh there and being sure that your diving skills are already checked .
I think it's never too late to get back to diving .
Bye
I've seen a regulator that you put your asthma inhaler inside and it can spray it for you if needed.
That's a great new.... technology can help a lot nowadays.
So Bencelest, you have no excuses.... go for it !
Just got back from the third diving of the day (waiting for the night dive within 3 hours) and I spent 20 minutes with three turtles eating and relaxing in the coral reef...... I took some pics of it but I guess my girlfriend took a better movie with her UW camera... I hope to be able to upload the movie soon.
Here are some of her movies:
YouTube - Marsa Alam maggio 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgbFGgd6GjM)
YouTube - Dahab 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlDJ6oTmkfI)
YouTube - pesce pulitore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED_4M-bPKqs)
YouTube - Polipetto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfzLZPDn26I)
Bye
Rick
saltydad
09-10-2010, 01:08 PM
Rick- I have to show my sister-in-law, the dental hygienist, the vid of you getting your teeth cleaned. That's great!
Benny- I had a refresher course when I went back after around 15 years; highly recommend it. Boyle's Law hasn't changed, but it does wonders for your confidence and muscle memory. The only caveat I would raise is you should be cleared by a scuba-trained physician. If (s)he gives you the OK, definitely go for it!
Jack Daw
09-10-2010, 01:20 PM
Amazing Rick, I might as well reconsider my retreat from this field of joy.
Btw. is any of those guys in those videos you? Like the one having his dental hygiene done by those lovely blue fish? :ha:
rick2001
09-10-2010, 11:27 PM
Yes, jack the cleaning fishes' patient it's me...... :-D
bencelest
09-11-2010, 12:38 AM
Thank you Jarred, Rick and Howard for the big encouragement. For all those reasons you guys stated, who could not convinced anyone hearing some encouragements like that.
I am going to try again. But first I have to get my body in good physical fit. I am going to be a member again at YMCA where I can do some exercising and lap swimming. I thought I am doomed to just sit out till my old age catch me (that's my way of thinking) but with your encouragement I am going to try again.
I keep on postphoning them for years so years passed by and my muscles were stagnating. The only exercise I got is working in my yard . But thanks fellas, I will become a member as soon as I can.
Again thanks for the encouragement.
Benny
rick2001
09-16-2010, 06:01 AM
Hi there.....
I'd like to share a few pics I made in Egypt last week...
They were made almost exclusively with my 60mm macro .
1) Cleaning Shrimp on a bubble coral.... (a lucky shot since you can see even the eggs inside of the shrimp
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kLS3p5cNB3k/TJH3KbKDj0I/AAAAAAAAALo/So3f6_Fe8qo/s640/el%20quseir%20059.jpg
2) 3 NUDIBRANCHES
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kLS3p5cNB3k/TJH3Hx_WfOI/AAAAAAAAALk/KUjTdqhv3kI/s640/el%20quseir%20053.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kLS3p5cNB3k/TJH3OQAF5-I/AAAAAAAAALs/ld2zbFwUYmI/s640/el%20quseir%20064.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kLS3p5cNB3k/TJH28-m_8iI/AAAAAAAAALY/H7zVEIgZ6JA/s640/el%20quseir%20022.jpg
3) a really tiny fish living on a whip coral (you can even see the coral's polips)
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kLS3p5cNB3k/TJH2_WM13pI/AAAAAAAAALc/-D2LJGS2io4/s640/el%20quseir%20039.jpg
4) turtle:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kLS3p5cNB3k/TJH3EcnK_UI/AAAAAAAAALg/LeCQa7RBrJ4/s640/el%20quseir%20042.jpg
I hope you'll like them
Bye
Rick
rick2001
09-16-2010, 06:51 AM
This is the movie made by girlfriend....
YouTube - El Qusier settembre 2010 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KPeoOuOrJw)
sorry for the low quality of many parts of the video but she had just bought a new HD camera and she didn't learn to use it propely at that time. (we have not been able to understand how to do the white balance with the new camera so there is too many blue or green )
Let's say that it was a test to tune up the camera for the next underwater trip in Thailandia.
P.S.
the diver with the photocamera it's me.
bencelest
09-29-2010, 04:05 PM
Very nice pictures Rick.
Caloosamusa
10-21-2010, 11:44 AM
I don't put my good pictures on the internet but here is one I took yesterday.
It is a Florida Regal Nudibranch, taken just offshore on a local reef.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37663&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37663)
:jalapenonaner:
Caloosamusa
12-01-2010, 09:07 AM
Those are nice Macro shots Rick,
I started a new project yesterday, and here are some of the shots.
This is a Green Moray,
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=38962&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38962)
Red Lionfish
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=38963&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38963)
:jalapenonaner:
rick2001
12-01-2010, 09:11 AM
I don't put my good pictures on the internet but here is one I took yesterday.
It is a Florida Regal Nudibranch, taken just offshore on a local reef.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37663&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37663)
:jalapenonaner:
WOW, that's an amazing Nudibranch !!!!!
Please show us some more pics !!!!
Caloosamusa
12-01-2010, 09:27 AM
Good day Rick,
I will be showing more pictures, however I have several projects I am supplying pictures to. My primary focus is U/W video, and we are almost finished with our website for web-publication. The associated licenses and permit for our business is exhausting. I will be posting more as time allows.
:jalapenonaner:
Caloosamusa
12-20-2010, 08:21 AM
This is a shot I got the other day on the East coast. It is a Painted Tunicate.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39429&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39429)
:jalapenonaner:
guerich
12-20-2010, 09:49 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39430&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39430&ppuser=5898) SSI open water diver for a short while. Florida springs, Bahamas, North Carolina, and Midwest rock quarries. Wrecks, night, shark, and drift diving a few of my favorites. Blackbeard's live aboard from Miami a great trip. Third place in underwater pumpkin carving contest-I was robbed. Very sad I had to give it up due to possibly going deaf. Love seeing all the beautiful dive pics and videos. Thanks.
Caloosamusa
12-22-2010, 08:30 AM
Guerich,
What did you say? I could not hear you! :-) ! I think I may already be on my way there (to deafness)!! :-) !!
I like your picture. Back in the 80's I dove the U-352 which was sunk by the Coast Guard Cutter Icaris, I'm going to try to get back up to North Carolina and dive it again as well as the U-701 which I've not had the opportunity to dive in the past. Your picture reminds me of the the "Graveyard."
:jalapenonaner:
rick2001
12-22-2010, 08:54 AM
Hi there..... I was wondering if anyone has ever dived onto the sunken aircraft carrier USS Oriskany off Pensacola's coast.... I think it must be one of the coolest dive anyone can experience underwater....
Caloosamusa
12-22-2010, 09:00 AM
I have been scheduled several times to dive the Oriskany, but each time the dives were cancelled due to rough conditions. I'm going to try again this coming year. :jalapenonaner:
rick2001
12-22-2010, 09:12 AM
Just le me know if it's worth the effort......
I've two or three students who asked me to organize a trip in Florida to dive on the carrier, while I'd be more oriented to go to Philippines or Indonesia where many great naval battles have been fought and there are plenty of sunken warships...
Caloosamusa
12-22-2010, 09:56 AM
Chuk Lagoon (Truk) is also high on my list! :jalapenonaner:
guerich
12-22-2010, 10:57 AM
Anyone find any interesting artifacts over the years such as fossils or man made objects? Dove a wreck off of Myrtle Beach that was supposedly taking arms after the Civil War for resale in Mexico before it sank. Several small cannon balls with grape shot found, along with wormy rifle stock, and smaller bayonet scabbard pieces. Unfortunately, I found nothing. Fun watching a guy doing his deco stop while holding onto a bowling ball sized cannon ball.:waving:
island cassie
12-22-2010, 06:25 PM
Guerich - Blackbeards are still going after all this time???? Dang!! We dived with them in the '80's and they were cool with the dope hidden in the bilge! Ooops!
rick2001
12-23-2010, 01:31 AM
Anyone find any interesting artifacts over the years such as fossils or man made objects? Dove a wreck off of Myrtle Beach that was supposedly taking arms after the Civil War for resale in Mexico before it sank. Several small cannon balls with grape shot found, along with wormy rifle stock, and smaller bayonet scabbard pieces. Unfortunately, I found nothing. Fun watching a guy doing his deco stop while holding onto a bowling ball sized cannon ball.:waving:
I dived over some ancient roman's wrecks and I saw many jars , most broken and some levigated stones roman used to stabilize their ships , but to touch anything would mean to buy a ticket for jail 'cause they are of historical value.
Caloosamusa
12-23-2010, 06:58 AM
I have found, but not taken (it would be unethical and illegal) whale bones and manatee bones. I will not say where, but they were "illuminating" to say the least. I think I will go back and get pictures as these are good Paleo examples of previous life and environmental conditions, for classroom use. :jalapenonaner:
guerich
12-23-2010, 09:21 AM
Island Cassie-Blackbeards still going strong, and very much anything goes. Couples going at it on deck, trying to be discreet in the dark. Onshore excursions to Compleat Angler Bar to see the small Hemingway museum in a boozy haze. The bar was later lost to a fire. Great diving with a variety of other fun options. One couple on my trip were there on their honeymoon, and not even divers. The husband just wanted to fish. Caloosamusa-I was told that everything on that particular wreck dive was legal to take, as it was out of state waters. Your right, best policy is hands off, pictures only. I've seen one Florida diver selling paleo stuff around my area a few times.
Caloosamusa
01-17-2011, 04:46 PM
Saturday night I went diving and did some beach diving the next day.
These are File Clams that are important to water quality and clarity, as they filter Huge amounts of water compared to their size.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39839&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39839)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39840&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39840)
:jalapenonaner:
Caloosamusa
01-21-2011, 03:30 PM
Earlier this week I did some more diving, I saw some Sharks and Turtles.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39882&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39882)
Loggerhead Sea Turtle,
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39893&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39893)
:jalapenonaner:
saltydad
01-21-2011, 08:37 PM
One of my favorite dives is the USS San Diego, the only US warship sunk in World War 1 (in 1918). Some folks do bring up artifacts, but as it is a US Navy site and grave site (six men died in the sinking), it's strictly illegal, let alone morally wrong.
Scuba Diving - New Jersey & Long Island New York - dive Wreck Valley - Dive Sites - USS San Diego Shipwreck (http://njscuba.net/sites/site_uss_san_diego.html)
Caloosamusa
01-22-2011, 07:08 AM
Thank you for your post and link Saltydad! I went to the commissioning of the first LPD, the San Antonio. The Elder President Bush was there, got some good video of him and especially the ship. One of the secret service agents gave me a dirty look when I was getting close but I reassured him and he relaxed.
It is "roomier" than the USS Tarawa, a ship I spent some time on. I hope these ships do not become artificial reefs in the near future, but when their time comes, they will really make great artificial reefs.
:jalapenonaner:
Caloosamusa
01-26-2011, 08:07 AM
I went diving again the other day, after all I should make the best of living where I do. I got some pictures of a cleaning station, the Golden Coral Shrimp is on the photographers left, picking the parasites off the Spotted Moray.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=39956&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39956)
:jalapenonaner:
I know there are some divers here outside of Dave and me. ...
Yep, another diver here, with a postage stamp size cert card from the YMCA. ;)
I'm currently a commercial dive gear monger. (http://comdive.com)
After a fairly long stretch in the commercial diving industry, I was no longer able to lie my way through the required physicals.
Anyone find any interesting artifacts over the years such as fossils or man made objects? ...
Yah, one dive in the Edison Sault Power Canal turned up everything from a couple swords to parking meters, bicycles, & a couple guns.
Mostly stuff that had been ripped off & ditched in the canal to dispose of it.
There was one spot in the Chicago Shipping & Sewage Canal that had so many "stolen" cars piled up that the tug & barge tows were hitting them.
Eventually you'll find everything that is within several miles of a body of water sitting on the bottom.
Caloosamusa
02-24-2011, 10:55 AM
Last week a couple of friends of mine were doing their first dive in Advanced Trimix Class. It was a wreck dive to 208 feet (63 meters). I took some video and pictures of the wreck, and some as we were decompressing. Planned run time 63 minutes, actual run-time 73 minutes. Surface water temperature was 70F (21C), two thermoclines, bottom temperature 57F (14C). The bottom visibility however was over 300 feet!!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40463&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40463)
Ancient Island Educational Media - Menu Page (http://www.ancientislandeducational.com)
:jalapenonaner:
Ahhhh... clear water, I've heard about stuff like that!!!
This is the kind of stuff I used to get stuck diving in way too often:
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/divers3/images/MS_ice1.jpg
:woohoonaner:
Caloosamusa
02-27-2011, 07:38 AM
That really is Cold Bob3!!
My primary dive partner Ice dives. He, like me dives wet. The coldest water I can handle effectively is 48F (9C).
Next month we're going cave diving up in North Central Florida, "Cave Country." Some of the best dives are Diepolder III, and EN. The water is 70F to 71F (21C), much more comfortable than Ice!! I almost get hypothermic just thinking about it!! :jalapenonaner:
Caloosamusa
03-24-2011, 08:47 AM
Before the weather turned too warm, we went north to visit the manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Sanctuary. The new rules are actually being applied much to the safety of the manatees. It is a huge help. I hope the feds continue to enforce the rules. These creatures are more than just "Aquatic Speed Bumps." By a previous calculation I did in a masters course a UF, (Economics of the Environment) they were worth at least 1.4 million dollars per year, per manatee, to the local economy. That has gone up since then (1999).
These docile, aquatic, relatives of the Elephant are wonderful to visit with.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=41035&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=41035)
:jalapenonaner:
Scuba_Dave
03-24-2011, 05:21 PM
We dive before the weather turns too warm too
I'm a PADI certified Master diver, includes Rescue diver
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/DIYChatroom/Fun/FYAOD20013guys.jpg
Main reason I dive up here:
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/DIYChatroom/Fun/DSC00264.jpg
saltydad
03-24-2011, 06:37 PM
Used to love going bug hunting in the LI Sound!!
I used to make it point being in the Keys (Big Pine) prior to the start of commercial bug season, 'till the trappers' lobbiest arranged to have the rules altered to screw the bug divers over, instituting a daily bag limit that restricted diver's harvest to just 300 lbs per day per license holder.
Prior to that we had a "best day" of 1500 lbs.
We really had to work for the dang things though, covered a lot of territory & some really sweet spots halfway to the mainland.
The kicker is that the conditions for diving the critters has to be during the peak of migration season where we'd get on the tail-end of a "walk" & start bagging the critters from the back of the line up to the front. That only lasts for a couple weeks.
Take just 1 bug out of the middle of the line & the rest behind him would wander off in all directions.
Jewfish would frequently follow & lurk behind us, sucking up the shorts 'till they couldn't hold any more.
It was a hilarious sight seeing a huge fish so full of bugs they couldn't just not only swallow an more, but couldn't even hold any more in their mouth!
That didn't stop 'em from trying though. Legs & antennae sticking out of the gills & mouth...
The price of bugs is so high now (selling for over $5/lb at the dock) that he's overcome some of his "cold water aversion" & has been getting into that 65 -70 degree water...
One year there was a HUGE manatee with her youngster hanging out in the canals where he kept his boat, dang thing was about as long as the boat & probably out weighed it!
saltydad
03-24-2011, 11:43 PM
The one and only time I saw a 'lobster line' I was absolutely amazed!
Caloosamusa
03-25-2011, 04:44 AM
Great shots of the lobster & crew Scuba Dave, legislators are well intentioned, but poaching continues flagrantly. I don't like to go to the Keys much, as rules are broken by the unscrupulous, and some operations turn a blind eye to it.
Lobster lines and Goliath Grouper are wonderful sights to see, especially when they are "interacting." :jalapenonaner:
Scuba_Dave
03-25-2011, 08:32 AM
A 300 lb limit ??
We did have a limit, but in recent years they put one thru
Per licensed diver you are allowed 9 lobster per day
There are also min & max sizes that you can take - measured along the carapace
Me & the wife have only bagged 9 lobster together on one day
So we stopped buying the 2nd license
And 9 lobsters is plenty for 2 people
We do not have a season limit, as long as you can dive you can get lobster
Of course in colder weather they move much deeper or south
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