Wil
Contributor
Another great day off Virginia Beach! With calm winds and flat seas Freedom rocketed out to the Triangle Reef area in just over an hour (40nm). Onboard were Andy (Drewski), Kevin (Kevin_K), Randy (Randy G), and Mike D.
Surface temps were around 56deg while the bottom temps averaged 46deg (just like last week) and the thermocline at 34ft. Andy, Kevin, and Randy dove their dry suits and Mike and I donned our "semi-wet" (see note) suits for our following dive. The guys reported better than 30ft of visibility, a very mild (hardly noticeable) current on the bottom, and more Lobsters than you could count! After they were safely aboard, Mike & I hit the water armed with a lobster stick and catch bag. We spent 30 mintues racing around the wreck putting bugs into the bag. All undersized and egg-bearing females returned to their holes. The two largest weighed in at 3.75 lbs each. The other smaller ones averaged about 1.75 lbs.
After our first dive we moved on to another in the area. After a failed first attempt at hooking into the wreck we were able to take hold and splash Andy, Kevin, Randy. They reported similar conditions, a few lobsters, and lots of fish, Tautaugs to be exact. When Mike and I got on the bottom we were greeted by some of the largest Taugs we've ever seen. Now, I must mention that Mike is mostly a fisherman, a Taug fisherman, and one of the best in the area. The Taugs were bold and unafraid of divers and approached quite closely. Mike was in absolute disbelief at how close the Taugs got to us. I'm counting the days until Taug season opens later this month. These were easily approaching 30 lbs, truly monster Taugs!
Once we had everyone back onboard, gear stowed we made the trip back to Vinings Landing Marine Center doing better than 40mph and another great day diving off Virginia Beach.
Safe Diving,
Wil
Note on "Semi-Wet" suits: They're often called "Semi-Dry" suits but they always let a small amount of water in and retains it . Whereas, a wet suit always lets water in. Dry suits, of course never leak (right Kevin?). So, if you accept that you're going to get some cool refreshing water in your Semi-Wet suit, it won't be such a shock when it comes. If you're in denial and still refer to your suit as "Semi-Dry", well, it never is as dry as you expect and the cold water is never welcome. It's best to just accept what it is..a Semi-Wet suit.
Surface temps were around 56deg while the bottom temps averaged 46deg (just like last week) and the thermocline at 34ft. Andy, Kevin, and Randy dove their dry suits and Mike and I donned our "semi-wet" (see note) suits for our following dive. The guys reported better than 30ft of visibility, a very mild (hardly noticeable) current on the bottom, and more Lobsters than you could count! After they were safely aboard, Mike & I hit the water armed with a lobster stick and catch bag. We spent 30 mintues racing around the wreck putting bugs into the bag. All undersized and egg-bearing females returned to their holes. The two largest weighed in at 3.75 lbs each. The other smaller ones averaged about 1.75 lbs.
After our first dive we moved on to another in the area. After a failed first attempt at hooking into the wreck we were able to take hold and splash Andy, Kevin, Randy. They reported similar conditions, a few lobsters, and lots of fish, Tautaugs to be exact. When Mike and I got on the bottom we were greeted by some of the largest Taugs we've ever seen. Now, I must mention that Mike is mostly a fisherman, a Taug fisherman, and one of the best in the area. The Taugs were bold and unafraid of divers and approached quite closely. Mike was in absolute disbelief at how close the Taugs got to us. I'm counting the days until Taug season opens later this month. These were easily approaching 30 lbs, truly monster Taugs!
Once we had everyone back onboard, gear stowed we made the trip back to Vinings Landing Marine Center doing better than 40mph and another great day diving off Virginia Beach.
Safe Diving,
Wil
Note on "Semi-Wet" suits: They're often called "Semi-Dry" suits but they always let a small amount of water in and retains it . Whereas, a wet suit always lets water in. Dry suits, of course never leak (right Kevin?). So, if you accept that you're going to get some cool refreshing water in your Semi-Wet suit, it won't be such a shock when it comes. If you're in denial and still refer to your suit as "Semi-Dry", well, it never is as dry as you expect and the cold water is never welcome. It's best to just accept what it is..a Semi-Wet suit.
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