I am putting a New Orleans Rig tip together for May 3-5, 2002. This is also Jazz fest weekend so all hotel bookings need to be done very shortly. Travel day is Friday, dive day is Saturday.
Here is more info on the dive trip. Thanks to kcbdiver.
We actually have access to two boats that run out of Venice, LA (about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from New Orleans). One is a 36' foot six pack and the other is a 42' boat that holds 10. Usually both are one day trips although overnight trips are available. Both boats leave at 6 a.m. and return between 3 and 5 p.m. They generally go 25 - 30 miles into the Gulf so you will see blue water. They provide an ice chest full of ice to put snacks, lunch and soft drinks in, fishing poles, and bait - so you can fish during your surface interval. Both also have BBQ pits on the back so if you want to bring steaks, ribs or cook the fish you just speared, you can. At the rigs, you can spearfish, photograph, or just take a tour of the Gulf. You will see redfish, look downs, tarpon, lemon fish, lobster, barracuda, lots of tropical fish and maybe even a
shark - black tip, sand tiger, or bull.
While we dive year round, peak Gulf diving is April through October. During the beginning of spring, late fall and winter when the troughs come from the Artic, they push the Mississippi River water further into the Gulf. That's when you will see this tea looking water which we call the murk layer. While this layer exists virtually year round, depending on the weather, the degree is worse early spring, late fall, and winter.
I can arrange accommodations at the Lighthouse Lodge in Venice for you. The room rates vary from $45 - 55 per night which is way cheaper than the marina. Trip costs $120.00 for the 36' boat and $150.00 for the 42' foot boat. While I cannot do anything about these costs, I can help with tank rental, weights and anything else you may need from the dive shop. There is no fill station on board either boat. The boats recommend 3 tanks for sightseeing and 4 tanks for spearfishing. Make sure that you bring gloves in case you need to grab the rig. Most of the coral
formations are hard so better be safe than sorry. You may also want to bring a light. One more thing, if you are planning to come next summer, please contact me early if a group is going as we have spearfishing rodeos planned by the various clubs at least once in June, July, August, and September and both boats are always booked.
A picture of the 36' foot boat is on The Scuba Company's website at www.thescubaco.net.
If the trip gets cancelled we can always enjoy more of Jazz fest.
Warhammer, is this close enough to you for you to join us? Love to make a dive with ya.
Tom
Here is more info on the dive trip. Thanks to kcbdiver.
We actually have access to two boats that run out of Venice, LA (about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from New Orleans). One is a 36' foot six pack and the other is a 42' boat that holds 10. Usually both are one day trips although overnight trips are available. Both boats leave at 6 a.m. and return between 3 and 5 p.m. They generally go 25 - 30 miles into the Gulf so you will see blue water. They provide an ice chest full of ice to put snacks, lunch and soft drinks in, fishing poles, and bait - so you can fish during your surface interval. Both also have BBQ pits on the back so if you want to bring steaks, ribs or cook the fish you just speared, you can. At the rigs, you can spearfish, photograph, or just take a tour of the Gulf. You will see redfish, look downs, tarpon, lemon fish, lobster, barracuda, lots of tropical fish and maybe even a
shark - black tip, sand tiger, or bull.
While we dive year round, peak Gulf diving is April through October. During the beginning of spring, late fall and winter when the troughs come from the Artic, they push the Mississippi River water further into the Gulf. That's when you will see this tea looking water which we call the murk layer. While this layer exists virtually year round, depending on the weather, the degree is worse early spring, late fall, and winter.
I can arrange accommodations at the Lighthouse Lodge in Venice for you. The room rates vary from $45 - 55 per night which is way cheaper than the marina. Trip costs $120.00 for the 36' boat and $150.00 for the 42' foot boat. While I cannot do anything about these costs, I can help with tank rental, weights and anything else you may need from the dive shop. There is no fill station on board either boat. The boats recommend 3 tanks for sightseeing and 4 tanks for spearfishing. Make sure that you bring gloves in case you need to grab the rig. Most of the coral
formations are hard so better be safe than sorry. You may also want to bring a light. One more thing, if you are planning to come next summer, please contact me early if a group is going as we have spearfishing rodeos planned by the various clubs at least once in June, July, August, and September and both boats are always booked.
A picture of the 36' foot boat is on The Scuba Company's website at www.thescubaco.net.
If the trip gets cancelled we can always enjoy more of Jazz fest.
Warhammer, is this close enough to you for you to join us? Love to make a dive with ya.
Tom
tony
