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By CHAD CARNEY
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 27, 2001
Calm seas have cleared visibility in most depths. Fish seem to have scattered, leaving a few spots in most areas holding gag grouper, snapper and hogfish. Other spots in most areas are empty.
Often a drift-dive technique works best when many sites must be checked. Two divers can descend on a marker while two others idle the boat nearby, completing adequate surface intervals. The divers in the water can follow fish downcurrent without the tiring return swim needed for anchored dives.
Divers should never approach the boat from below, because the driver may not see them. Divers should ascend well away and hold up their spear guns to be spotted, attaching a folded dive flag if needed. Divers who are not spearfishing can use a colored inflatable marker tube.
Divers should carry a small light. A diver's air horn attached to the BC can be heard above the boat's engines and makes it easy for the crew to keep watch. The teams then switch positions, covering more dive sites.
- Capt. Chad Carney teaches scuba and spearfishing and charters out of St. Petersburg. Call 727-423-7775 or e-mail info@mobilescuba.com