Dive Day 5...diving north of the DMZ
The gang at Tres Pelicanos are known for playing a very active role in decimating the lionfish population in Cozumel. We felt very honored to be invited along on a specific lionfish hunt outside the marine park where lions were known to roam. This is a group of guys who are HIGHLY experienced with these hunts, so I felt comfortable participating. In fact, I was so eager to participate that the camera I normally carry was replaced by an M8 pole spear! Although I was the only female on the boat, hopefully I have now proven that I can hang with the big boys
After proper instruction, I felt confident to give it my best shot...literally.
Although my eyes are much more attuned to finding small reef critters, it didn't take long during our first dive to spot the first target. It was a good-sized lion just hanging out in the open.
@manta_man, who was my appointed babysitter, pointed out the target to me and indicated I should take my best shot. I did my best to follow the lessons I had been taught. I armed the M8, pointed at the target, and shot. It was a weak effort, but I did manage to connect and had sense enough to hold down the spear and pin the lionfish down until
@manta_man came over to rescue me and finish the job. My first "kill" was not much of a kill...but at least the creature was now in the zookeeper with the accumulating number of victims the other guys were bagging. As the dive continued, my frustration grew as I continued to miss lionfish after lionfish - 4 of them! Thankfully this was a deep dive and only lasted 40 minutes or so. I'm a highly competitive 'Diva and the fact that I couldn't seem to fulfill my mission was grating on me.
During our surface interval at the marina, the captured lionfish were dumped out onto the dock, photographed and counted. In all, there were 22 fewer lionfish on the reef than before our 40 minute sojourn! Knowing that we would be heading out for a repeat performance,
@manta_man was kind enough to pull me aside and explain his observations to me. It was evident to his experienced eye immediately that I wasn't arming the spear sufficiently. In other words, I wasn't stretching the rubber band out enough to provide enough thrust for the spear. So during our surface time, he carved grooves around the spear so I could have a little traction and have an idea of how far to stretch the weapon.
After a nice long interval, it was time to head out for a second try. Re-visiting the same site again, it was evident we had made a difference during the first dive - sightings were not frequent. This time when
@manta_man pointed out a nice sized lion, I was ready for action. I carefully manned the weapon as I had been instructed, aimed at the target, and nailed that sucker right between the eyes...BINGO! Instantly, a lionfish hunter was born. Before long another potential victim was spotted and I also murdered that big bastard with no hesitation. I will confess that in my normal daily life, I can't kill ANYTHING. I won't even step on a roach. But now I will happily accept the moniker of "KILLER" that
@manta_man has hung me with
I was a little preoccupied and didn't follow up, but I think I heard the tally on dive 2 was an additional 15 lionfish. Many thanks to
@Cajuncru Diver,
@gopbroek ,
@MargaritaMike , Assassin (Howard), and especially
@manta_man. I am no longer a lionfish virgin
Of course, Edgar, Jorge, Compeche, and Chan Fran have all been fantastic. As I told someone, "They spoil me by taking a lot of the "boat work" out of the trip so I can enjoy underwater even more. 
Well, I guess now you are an adopted Cajun!
