Weather looked good so I called on my dive buddies. Only taker was my boy Yellabird. He made some quick calls to Low Country Scuba and we had a load of tanks and everything we needed. Stephen tells me the are the best around for complex mixing.
The crew was light to say the least but Yellabird, the Judge, and myself headed out of MI toward some of Yellabird’s TOP SECRET dive spots.
We pulled back on the first spot after a VERY nice ride out. Geared up and flipped over the gunnel. I hit the water looking for some relief from the heat and did not get it, water was warm. I began the decent to the bottom watching Yellabird about 15 feet below me as we passed numerous jellyfish. Vis was about 30 feet. I saw him pick up the pase and aim his gun. The deep dooooooommmp and Yellabird takes off being drug by the fish. BIG African pompano!! I watched him fight the fish for a while then send up the lift bag. We got to the bottom and weaved through the wreck. Very cool dive! Good number of scamp but I never could get on a big one. Inspired by Yellabird’s fish I headed up into the water column and suspended, out of the corner of my eye comes a nice pompano bout 20 pounds, I let my spear fly and was drug up down left right. Lets be honest here that fish beat my a$$. I had him in my arms 3 times and never could get my hands in his gills and trust me it was not for lack of effort. Finally the spear pulled and I was out of time. So close. I need to get a big boy gun if I am going to pursue this in the future I guess.
Rest of the day went well, shot some nice gags, scamp, and triggers. Never did find a lobster or a hogfish but still an absolutely beautiful day on the ocean. Very good company and just took it easy. All dives were 90 to 130 feet. Could have run WOT home but needed to conserve fuel. (that is another story:smiley:)
Highlights-
Watching the Judge catch some nice bottom dwellers while off gassing.
Diving some new spots with good fish on them.
The Yellabird free gaff of the super