Springs in the Gulf

[jokerswild]

Has anyone ever been out to the FW spring off of Sarasota by the M3 & M4 artificial reefs? If so, please elaborate on outflow conditions, etc. I'm thinking about making a trip out there and was trying to pick some brains... Thanks

Nick

 

[jokerswild]

No one has ever been out there? I can't believe it! Am I the only one interested? I see a niche coming on....

 

[eandiver]

You're not talking about Amberjack Hole are you? About 30 miles off Sarasota?

 

[jokerswild]

I'm not sure if the spring/dive spot has a local name or not, all I really know about it is that the spot is located between the M3 and M4 artificial reefs.

 

[Agent 47]

Think I remember reading somewhere that there are multiple freshwater springs a few hundred yards off the beaches in Pinellas that are fed from cave systems in the limestone under the county. I guess the tides have a pretty big effect on flow and conditions in the caves in general, making them really hazardous. The geology sounded pretty interesting. Wish I knew more about it.

 

[eandiver]

There is one just north of Klosterman entrance (Palm Harbor) about 300-400 yards off the beach. 20' deep with a head sized opening into a spring. Lots of fish and an old boat.

 

[jokerswild]

Hmmm- I need to contact some of the dive shops in sarasota then to see if they have any info. Seems like an interesting way to burn some air either way you look at it. Thanks!

 

[GulfCoastdiver]

Try this one.
http://chuma.cas.usf.edu/~garey/jewfish/jewfish.html

 

[TerryInFlorida]

There is one just north of Klosterman entrance (Palm Harbor) about 300-400 yards off the beach. 20' deep with a head sized opening into a spring. Lots of fish and an old boat.

You sound like you're talking about CRYSTAL BEACH SPRING.

http://www.treasuresites.com/members/wcf.htm

Scroll down to where it says PINELLAS COUNTY SITES:

There is also what appears to be a complete chevy 454 on the northeast said of the spring about ten feet from the edge, if this is the spring you're talking about.

 

[eandiver]

Yep...thats the one, didn't know it had a name. Are you talking whole truck or just 454 engine? Never seen that.

The more rain we have the better the flow is from the entrance.