Grouper and Hogfish Hangin' Out on the Bottom-Spearfishing Report

Joe, a friend of mine sent me this picture and report. He hasn't dove in months due to the weather, and was itching to get out to the gulf for some spearfishing, plus a little hook and line as well.

April second was the date. Joe and his family launched the boat out of Gulfport Marina in St. Pete, took off to only six and a half miles out, and went to work diving in only 40 feet of water. According to Joe, the surface temperature was sixty four degrees and the bottom temperature was a chilly fifty four degrees. Five to ten knot winds in the morning, then surprisingly calm later in the afternoon.The boat was over a very small five foot ledge, a small spot they found quite some time ago by accident. According to Joe, this spot is good for hogfish and grouper. The visibility was ten feet at best and because of the cold, Joe and his brother only stayed down in the deep for about thirty minutes, then went up for hook and line. Fifty four degrees is cold, even with a suit. I won't ever find out; you won't catch me diving anywhere. Snorkeling, not diving. I don't like sharks.

By the end of the day, the family had two nice grouper, one speared as you can see on the right, and one on hook and line. Hogfish were speared as well, but no pics. Next time. I will be putting up these reports from time to time. Some may not have respect for spearfishing, but I thinks it's a pretty good way to get some fillets and have respect for the aspects of the sport. To me, I equate it to hunting underwater.