wow! what day on the water in S. FL, pics, 5/21/12

[reefman]

finally able to dive deep today without a raging current and thunderstorms. barely a ripple on the water. double on M29(molasses), blue water, viz a dusty 45-55FT, mdt reverse current, coolish 77F @ depth(55-92FT), 80F on the surface. not a great wide angle day for timg, lots of tropicals and 2 large loggerhead turtles. zero eagle rays(unusual as we looked back to last year @ this time and they were everywhere),,,,,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

[Chugwhump]

Sweet pics.
I really like the Rock Beauty and the bug pic.
Were you able to whack the Lion Fish?
I have my "net in the Sanctuary" cert.

Chug
Has not been deeper than 45' or so on Molasses.

[reefman]

Sweet pics.
I really like the Rock Beauty and the bug pic.
Were you able to whack the Lion Fish?
I have my "net in the Sanctuary" cert.

Chug


Has not been deeper than 45' or so on Molasses.


the lionfish photo was pure drama! even if i had the certification to collect lionfish in a SPA, your unable to use knives, spears etc, essentially nets only and no easy task @ 70-90FT. iv'e observed rainbow reef and quiensce occasionally drift deep molasses. rainbow reef had 3 groups(with divemasters leading the way) totalling about 28 divers drifting deep MO today when we came up from our 1st dive. worth the effort, althought few upper keys operators offer deep drift dives, call around when you head south to dive the keys,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

[timg]

Sweet pics.
I really like the Rock Beauty and the bug pic.
Were you able to whack the Lion Fish?
I have my "net in the Sanctuary" cert.

Chug
Has not been deeper than 45' or so on Molasses.

Thanks Chug.

Reefman found the lobster right at the end of the second dive. Rock beauty was pretty friendly too.
We very rarely see other folks on the deep part of Molasses. Today was unusual to see the big group doing a drift dive.

[fisheyeview]

Great pics as usual Tim. I love the face shot of the Angel on the Cowfish. I also like the Shy Hamlet.

---------- Post added May 22nd, 2012 at 10:01 AM ----------

Back in the early 90's when I was working for Divers Den we used to frequently drift the deep side of Mo.

[mrx3000]

Great photos!
Are there any current dive shops that ever go to the deep part of Molasses?

[sportxlh]

very nice photos!!! thanks for posting

[j2s]

Nice pics, you have a good 'eye'.......How many Lionfish did you see ?????

[timg]

Nice pics, you have a good 'eye'.......How many Lionfish did you see ?????

Thank you j2s, sportxlh, mrx3000 and FE.

We usually see 3 to 6 lionfish on a typical dive. Although lately I've seen less on the shallow reefs.

Dive shops don't frequent Deep Mo for a couple reasons, I think. Maybe Reefman can reply and add a comment on that. First, deep dives by the operators here are usually on the wrecks. Second, on a lot of days this would be a drift dive. Reefman has our route down to a good loop, down the slope to 80-90, back up the slope where we turn around, float back with the current at 50 to 60 to the pin.

[mrx3000]

Yep, dive ops seem to prefer wrecks - but I'd take a deep reef over a wreck any day. Will keep looking :)

[deeper thoughts]

Pix 2 and 9 could be in a magazine

[timg]

Pix 2 and 9 could be in a magazine

Thanks DT. Reefman spotted the lobster. Don't see them on top walking around during the day too often.