Collecting Trip

[qy7400]

It went well, lots of spot fins along with some puffers, pipe fish and a few gobies; plenty of ghost shrimp and silversides. Also some black fish, coronets, blues, fluke and some other locals but were all tossed back along with countless crabs.

 

[qy7400]

Big thanks to Christine for the pictures.....

Couldn't ask for a better day...

Getting ready

Joe and Christine pulling the net

LOTS of crabs

The eel.

Can't remember this ID.

Lots of butterflies, this is just one bucket

 

[quagmire]

Can't remember this ID.

Ocean Pout?

 

[George_G]

I'd like to thank the members and officers of LIRA for the royal treatment they gave our guests from western Pennsylvania (a 7 hour drive for them to my house on Friday).

Carrie dove the bridge Saturday morning with Tom's guidance, then she and her husband, Michael, went to the seine collecting at 3pm. They returned to my house with quite a haul of tropicals to take home with them!

I took them to Oak Beach on Sunday, and it was pretty must a bust. Lots of Pipefish -- and lots of fish that needed to be returned to the water. So it was really great that they did so well with you guys on Saturday. They had plenty to take home.

Carrie and Michael and a too-big-for-the-photo-container Cornetfish:





I promise you the fish wasn't in there long!

George
--

 

[fishome25]

I had a good time diving with them. We had clear(ish) water, lots of tropicals, and they even got to see a seal getting released back to the wild.

 

[quagmire]

Tom i'm curious to know if the missing asphalt section and the railing from the old bridge was down below?
Any new debris left behind from Sandy? How long were you able stay before the current became an issue?
Glad you and George were able to assist Michael and Carrie.
John

 

[fishome25]

I didn't really notice any new debris, but I was really focused on hunting and not losing my partner. The current turned after a half hour. I would have stayed longer but I didn't want to take chances with my guest.

 

[quagmire]

Hmm, 20ft x 30ft section of asphalt and over 100ft of chain link fence missing. Guess there's a new chunk of reef somewhere in the bay.
Very cool of you to guide the guests btw. Hope they enjoyed themselves.

 

[fishies7]

A HUGE THANKS to Tom for the unforgettable dive and to everyone from the club who welcomed us with open arms and sent us home with buckets full of fish! We had an amazing time, and are hoping to join you all again next year! And of course, George and Regina, your hospitality was amazing- you went above and beyond in every aspect and made this a trip of a lifetime for us. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

Every last fish made it home safely, and some will stay with us, while others will go to other club members throughout the Pittsburgh area. This trip was truly a blessing and the fulfillment of a dream I've had for quite a while to come to Long Island and collect tropical strays. I hope this becomes an annual tradition for our family!