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Captain's corner

By ROD BRANDENBURG

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 25, 2000

This is the perfect time of year to dive. The water cools to the lower 70s, the visibility approaches 60 feet and the marine life is more abundant than you can imagine. It's sometimes possible to see the bottom from the boat's deck 20 miles offshore. A 3-millimeter dive suit is all you need. One trick to finding clear water is to dive an incoming tide in the shallow water off Clearwater or Tarpon Springs. If you must dive an outgoing tide, move north of the Anclote River, where you have a better chance of escaping the particulate associated with freshwater meeting saltwater.

Photography in shallow water is wonderful -- you don't need an expensive strobe to penetrate dark water. The light reaches the coral, and the water diffuses sunbeams so there are no heavy shadows and no need for backlighting. The disposable underwater cameras will work in shallow water. It might be a little tough to advance the film past 20 feet, but if your sinuses can take it, you can ascend slightly to advance the film.

-- Rod Brandenburg captains The Plunger out of Clearwater. Call (727) 443-6731.

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