Captain's Corner

When the wind blows out of the east, conditions look much better close to shore than they are a short distance offshore.

By CHAD CARNEY
Published April 14, 2007

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Offshore winds: When the wind blows out of the east, conditions look much better close to shore than they are a short distance offshore. Checking a weather buoy is one of the best ways to get the wind report before venturing far offshore. Go to www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/florida.shtml and click 42021, the Pasco county buoy.

Indian Shores Artificial Reef: Two large landing crafts were sunk here in the late '70s on the south and central sections, and a barge and salt hopper were later added to the east and north areas. They are all too far apart for a diver to swim on one dive, but many grouper, snapper and jacks easily make the migration. See http://myfwc.com/marine/ar/reef_locator.asp for artificial reef coordinates.

Freediving Spearfishing Championship: Divers scouting Thursday for this tournament said the water off Tarpon Springs had 40 feet of visibility, despite the early fog, and gag grouper were plentiful. Results and photos from Friday's state tournament will first be found on www.spearboard.com.

Chad Carney teaches diving and spearfishing in the Tampa Bay area and can be reached at 727-423-7775 or visit www.mobilescuba.com.

For today's tides chart, see the weather package on 2A, or online at outdoors.tampabay.com.