Keys collecting

[WhoDey64]

Anyone ever done a keys collection trip? I have fished down there well over 100 times off the bridges but never done any collecting. Wondering what species of soft corals/inverts ect are accessible from the shore.

 

[nivram]

Anyone ever done a keys collection trip? I have fished down there well over 100 times off the bridges but never done any collecting. Wondering what species of soft corals/inverts ect are accessible from the shore.

I've collected hogfish, jacks, different species of snappers, grouper, mackeral and spiny lobster. :lolspin:

Actually when Copps was in town for our meeting, He collected some angels and butterfly fish off Key West. He has a thread in the Reef Fish forum.

I've seen some nice stuff on beach dives here in Broward.

 

[WhoDey64]

I need to put a dive ladder on my boat.... Somebody reputable told me there are morphs similar to watermelon zoas basically right outside of Port Everglades.

 

[nivram]

I need to put a dive ladder on my boat.... Somebody reputable told me there are morphs similar to watermelon zoas basically right outside of Port Everglades.

Just tie a rope to one of the cleats with a clip to secure your BC and tank while you pull yourself up.

I saw these last year. I've also seen cinnamon palys and other nice zoas.

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I'm on the hunt for a pederson anemone shrimp myself.

 

[big-Ern]

I have been collecting in broward for several months, and diving for more than two years. We have most everything that the keys have on terms of aquarium collecting.just not as plentiful. I havent found rics or shrooms.

 

[WhoDey64]

Marvin, those look nice, did you collect any?

big-Ern, got any dive photos of what you see down there?

 

[big-Ern]

I don't have an underwater cam. Look at ccritters d o t com
Almost everything she sels is available from beach dive here.
Only thing i haven't seen is rics,shrooms,and th we yellow and red gorgonia. Those gorgonia are deeper then beach dive, but easily found on boat dive

 

[RcToners]

I have collected ricordea & zoos, you just have to look around EVERYWHERE

 

[maxheadroom]

I have collected ricordea & zoos, you just have to look around EVERYWHERE

Whats the farthest north that you've seen ricordia?

 

[big-Ern]

Marvin, I've caught a bunch of pederson shrimp off pompano beach. Only caught one on a beach dive, but caught a bunch off of kayak dive(out to the bouys). Last summer there were a bunch of curly-q-s at the base of the ledge, just out from the ledge. Makes for easy catching. They hang in the curly-q and think they are safe, watch your fingers though as I've seen pistol shrimp sharing the anem.

 

[RcToners]

Whats the farthest north that you've seen ricordia?

Key Largo is the farthest north that I have gone. Ive found red blue green and yellow zoos, ricordea, artichoke coral, etc. There is amazing stuff out there, you just need to look.. And make sure you aren't in Pennekamp/protected waters and that you have a fishing license.

 

[nivram]

Marvin, I've caught a bunch of pederson shrimp off pompano beach. Only caught one on a beach dive, but caught a bunch off of kayak dive(out to the bouys). Last summer there were a bunch of curly-q-s at the base of the ledge, just out from the ledge. Makes for easy catching. They hang in the curly-q and think they are safe, watch your fingers though as I've seen pistol shrimp sharing the anem.

Yeah I've seen them on a couple beach dives in those anemones. But I never am prepared to catch them. I'm going to start taking a small jar tied to my bcd from now on.

 

[big-Ern]

If possible I'd suggest taking the curly q as well. I didn't and the shrimp always disappeared. Not sure if they were eaten, but guessing they would do better with the anem

 

[Patrickstar_188]

Key Largo is the farthest north that I have gone. Ive found red blue green and yellow zoos, ricordea, artichoke coral, etc. There is amazing stuff out there, you just need to look.. And make sure you aren't in Pennekamp/protected waters and that you have a fishing license.

what do you think is the best place to find them?