Another Sebastian snorkel dive. brrrrrrrr

[beaker99]

Hi All
Just got back from another sebastian dive today, 7/28, and all I can say is brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr it was chilly. The water vis was the best I've seen in months. I'd say 10-20' if not more. I saw another butterfly fish, and a beautiful queen angel about the size of my hand. I also saw the resident queen angel that likes to wedge itself in the rocks. This queen angel is hugh, I'd say 2-3' easy. There was, of course, the resident french angels which swam around me curiously. Forget about catching these bad boys they are too smart for the clear net. And to tell you the truth if I did catch one I would probably let it go. They are too big for my 120.

 

[DaveG99]

I caught a baby french angel last weekend at peanut island. Very easy to catch with a plastic jar. I still havent gone snorkeling at sebastian. I am going to have to try it out one day. You snorkel on the south side of the inlet off the beach correct?

 

[syndrome]

At sebastion they were going to dredge it out but they found corals growing on the jetty. I will have to check it out sometime.

 

[snookcatcher]

can someone tell me their techniques of catching fish while snorkeling? with a jar? handnet?

 

[maractwin]

I use a clear vinyl net, like these http://www.deepsixintl.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=64&cat=TROPICAL+FISH+COLLECTING+TOOLS

It take practice to be any good at it. Remember the fish are much faster than you will ever be, so you have to outsmart them. Usually that means watching how they react to a threat, and anticipating it. For instance, some fish will head straight down into a hole in the rocks, others will move back away from you. If you can slowly manouvre your net to the direction the fish usually flees, then use your other hand to purposely startle the fish, it might just swim right into the net.

-Mark

 

[beaker99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7878123#post7878123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snookcatcher
can someone tell me their techniques of catching fish while snorkeling? with a jar? handnet?

maractwin is right on the money. I've have a clear plastic net that I have used for years. In fact I've used it so much it's about worn out. Some people have success with the slurp guns, but I don't think they're very effective at catching fish. Just remember one thing don't go chargeing after the fish or you will catch nothing. The key is to use a calm, methodical approach to you're quarry. As maractwin said you have to out smart them and use the clear plastic to it's full advantage.
Good hunting

 

[beaker99]

[I caught a baby french angel last weekend at peanut island. Very easy to catch with a plastic jar.
I've caught them before also. The problem is when they are real small it is difficult to get them to eat. There is a reason for the way they flitter around when they are small. It is to attrach larger fish over to then so the can act as a cleaner fish.
I still havent gone snorkeling at sebastian. I am going to have to try it out one day. You snorkel on the south side of the inlet off the beach correct?
I usually snorkel the south side of the inlet true, but not off the beach. Instead I snorkel inside the inlet between the dock and the fish cleaning station. Actually both of the inside parts of the inlet a pretty good snorkeling.
I went snorkeling yesterday, 8/12, and water vis wasn't too bad. The water was chilly, but bearable. I saw a small morey eel along with a nice butterfly fish, a medium sized queen angel, and a number of porkfish.