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24 intrepid divers braved the conditions of
the Gulf to participate in a standard
weekend Flower Gardens trip. We arrived on
the West Bank at 6 AM Saturday to find a
wonderful assortment of Turtles and Sharks.
2 big loggerheads were spotted, as well as
the usual silkies and reef sharks. Seas were
all of 1 foot, and winds were calm. Water
temp was 84, and current was very light.
After the West bank, we moved to HI-389.
Conditions there were perfect for a rig
dive, with no current, little seas, and
about 10 knots of wind. 1 large loggerhead
kept everybody excited, and seemed to go to
visit everyone. There were large schools of
large jacks, as well as an octopus and a 6
inch long bristle worm of note.
At the East bank, the current picked up
from none to mild, and the macro dives
began. Sailfin blennies, yellowheaded
jawfish, and spotted drums were seen by the
divers, and I saw a nurse shark. Conditions
remained as before, spectacular.
When we arrived at Stetson, the seas were
slick, and there was a mild surface current.
The current on the bottom was howling, out
over the edge. If you didn’t pay attention,
you were carried out over the wall into the
deep. We saw southern stingrays, beaded sea
cucumbers, a 5 foot spotted moray, lobsters,
and maybe an eagle ray (we’re a little
confused about the diver’s sighting). We had
a great group of divers, and great
conditions. All in all, a great trip.
Capt Frank
Freeport, Texas |
