Hi guys,
Curious how you all did during mini season. Haven't seen any reports yet, but I can't believe you ALL were smart and stayed home.
My boss invited me out with him and another buddy. Neither of them are divers, but their enthusiasm makes up for it. They aren't comfortable in more then 15' of water, so big bugz were pretty much out of the question. For every legal lobster I caught, I must have pulled about 12 shorts. Most of them less than 1/8" short. Really frustrating.
I had one scare after just wrestling a bug out from under a seagrass overhang. Right after getting my hand on it, I notice a 6" lionfish just inches from my face, while my body was totally under the overhang. This was my first encounter, and I hadn't expected it in such shallow water. Most people report them out deeper. I managed to crush it on the reef with my tickle stick, as I didn't have anything else with me. This was in only 6' of water, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Another cool experience was catching a red grouper with a net and a tickle stick. Man they are dumb! Wish I had the episode on film. Unfortunately he was !/2 an inch short, so he was released unharmed.
I also got to check out a number Kris gave me the other day today. We used to dive it all the time together with Davie and crew. Since it was mini season, and I found a 10# lobster there last year while filming scenes for an upcoming video with Derek from Hawaii, it seemed like a no brainer to see if anyone was home. I was just carrying a tickle stick, and at about 30ft, I saw a huge black bolt for the structure to the sand. He hauled butt out of there never to be seen again. It was an incoming tide, and the current was ripping. That combined with the bad vis and depth made for unpleasant lobstering, and since the other couldn't even make it to the top of the structure, we moved on. Probably for the better, as the structure is pretty hazardous for a solo diver... The number was SPOT on though. Thanks Kris!
As for the lobster? I limited out (6, BNP), and helped the others with their limit. Ended up with 10 total. Gave the others a few of mine so they can impress the wifes and kids. 
My boss has "real" pics on his camera, haven't gotten them yet, will post them later. Here are some phone pics.
Dive safe,
G
