Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By CHAD CARNEY, Times Correspondent
Published September 15, 2007

The 235-foot LSM on the Indian Shores Artificial Reef was the first wreck I could find in the 1970s, before the days of affordable electronic navigation equipment. Also known as the Cable Wreck, the landing ship medium was put down in 1976 and the Artificial Reef Department maintained a marker on the site, 14 miles northwest of John's Pass. The depth of 45 feet was enough to provide clear water and good spearfishing then and today, especially for mangrove snapper and gag grouper. A second LSM was brought to the site in 1979, and about 15 years later a barge and a salt hopper were added. More recently, huge columns from the old Clearwater Memorial Causeway bridge and John's Pass Bridge have been strategically placed there, but they could be the last additions to any of the artificial reefs, because the Pinellas County Commission is considering eliminating this program.

Coordinates: GPS and Loran coordinates to the artificial reefs all over Florida can be found at marinefisheries.org/ar/index.asp.

Tactics: Free divers and scuba divers likely will take advantage of this last weekend of summer before cold fronts make the weather hit and miss. Autumn is one of the best seasons for visibility, so spear fishermen will need their long-shooting guns and many will also use free shafts for increased range.

Chad Carney teaches diving and spearfishing in the Tampa Bay area and can be called at mobilescuba.com or (727) 423-7775.

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

[Last modified September 14, 2007, 20:06:37]