Posts by Grouper

  • Key West wahoo 1/4/17

    We tried a couple wrecks actually but no hoo were to be found. Just a ton of AJ and about 3 dozen bull sharks. The wahoo were just over the reef on a rolloff going from 50 - 120 feet over a couple hundred yards, and it's not the rolloff everyone knows about down there!

  • Key West wahoo 1/4/17

    Thanks guys! Hank, yea that mutton was probably one of my best hunts. He actually came off the bottom and was just out of range. Had to wait a while for him to come close and even had one of the bulls come between us at one point to block my shot. Wish I had my go pro on at the time. They definitely make you work for it

  • Key West wahoo 1/4/17

    Started off the new year the right way with a 51 pound hoo! Had a school of about 20+ fish cruise that me and a buddy of mine both took shots at. He hit one that took off that ended up getting sharked while I clipped one just a little low that got away. Second school of about 8 fish came through when I was hanging out at 40 feet at the bottom of the flashers. Had one unlucky soul that came in to check me out within about ten feet. Hit him low in the gill plate with the new Andre roller and he took off like a rocket away from me, then came flying back and passed right by my mask. It was on! Had to chase down the buoy about a hundred yards before it finally tombstoned and then I just horsed him up for a second holding shot before the bulls could get him. Shot a weehoo before but this was my first real wahoo! Have his head in the freezer still trying to figure out how to make a sweet trophy out of it lol still get goosebumps every time I think about that fish. Also got a 12 pound mutton that is a personal best but that guy barely phased me after shooting that log.

  • El Niño

    Not sure if you guys have heard but we are going through one of the strongest El Niños on record apparently. Was wondering what was going on with the weather lately because it seems warmer than usual here in south Florida, then I remembered this was going on. Reading up on it this website said "Strong El Niño events, temperatures were above average in December then below average for January through April." This is from an article on the noaa website about the Florida patterns. So I was wondering if any of you remembered the last one and how it affected the fishing. Also how might this affect the annual migration patterns like the cobia run? Which I guess normally is in full swing by March.


    Tampa Bay El Nino Page

  • Lost THE grouper

    Quote from Akira dkt

    In my experience with grouper (only one invasive spp. in HI) they are living Ass h&les..ahem...Anchors.
    I wonder if a flopper tip would have been a better choice?? I can see the upside to a slip tip (fish has no leverage on the spear, much stronger connection..etc. ) but at the same time, with a flopper you have more control over the fish as well. Ive shot (comparatively small) grouper in cracks and they pretty much just flare their opercular plates and hunker down. Sometimes they are just too large to fit through the crack you shot them in, and unless you can break the coral (which i try to avoid) the fish is gonna be lost.


    Awesome story btw. Shitty deals!! Youll get your trophy one day bro. :thumbsup2::thumbsup2:


    Yea a flopper would've definitely put more pressure on the fish (and been easier to control him) but I'm worried a big guy like that would have snapped the gatku in half. But I have seen the composite front section on it bend about 90 degrees before without breaking soooo I'm not sure. I should've just yanked on him as hard as I could during the initial struggle but I wasn't expecting him to get off after. Ahhhhhh man just thinking about it still tears me up lol oh well you're right there's always more out there for me

  • pole spear suggestions

    Quote from matt hudson

    I've had a few and would recommend you check out the headhunter predator if a 9' spear will work in your diving conditions. Sometimes there's a good deal on Craigslist just keep your eyes open.


    This. Also the 9' gatku with a flopper or headhunter slip tip but the latter can be costly.

  • Blackout while Spearfishing Video

    Yea all this just goes to show that you can look the part by buying the nice gun, fancy watch, and new ultra-invisible open cell. All that doesn't mean shit if you aren't a smart, competent, and safe diver in the first place.

  • Blackout while Spearfishing Video


    Spot on. I'll do shore dives alone but only because it's relatively shallow and I usually just do them to explore new areas. Still take it nice and easy. Don't know the diver in the video but apparently everyone else does. Leading me to believe he's been around and might be considered experienced. Doesn't seem that way from this video. He's damn lucky to have had his partner alongside him

  • Blackout while Spearfishing Video

    Quote from Slingador

    Seeking out and cultivating relationships with like minded people that want the same things, to have fun and above all come back home.


    The statement that buddy diving doesnt work is iresponsible, it behoves us all to make it WORK. Granted sometimes its tough, nearly impossible but ALWAYS do your best
    Do i dive less because I will rarely go it alone now a days.? Yes. Is it more rewarding, hell yeah, High fiving your buddy after stonning a fish, Fending an unseen sark off his 6, or saving a fish of a lifetime as it shakes free still green, oh yeah and saving his life, makes the added efort. Worth it, Theres even people i dont like, that i would take as a wingman imstead of going alone. No one really ever talks about mentoring younger divers, its a great chance to increase the margin of safety, when done correctly. In the last 2 years my crew and I have had no trouble landing our share of nice fish, even under my rules, that by Somes logic should be a handycap.


    An attentive partner and teammate in the water is never and should never be considered or be advertised as a hindrence or crutch, thats just bananas, and the facts prove it.


    Well said. I always feel much safer diving with a buddy that has the same mindset I have. To reiterate what hank said, a dive watch is just a tool. It cannot and should not be relied upon alone to keep you safe. My dive watch keeps me in check a lot of times, especially when I see a monster fish just after an ascent :attack3: Divers should always listen to their body first and foremost. Some days I feel like I can stay down forever and am completely each dive. Other days I'm looking at my times/depth or whatever wondering why I'm not diving well knowing I can do better, but don't push it because my mind tells me that I'm just having an off day.


    I do love that serene feeling that comes with diving solo, but it doesn't always feel right knowing there's nobody around should something (SWB, shark, etc.) happen.