We have talked in the past about doing a snorkeling day on a nearby shallow reef. Lynn and I go to one every once in a while, when the water is just a little warmer. We were at the beach yesterday and the water was just like the Bahamas, turqouise blue and crystal clear, flat as a lake. So maybe in June we can do a full day of snorkeling. Each person will need to be able to swim, have snorkel gear, nets?, bucket and if you want to collect anything, a saltwater fishing license which costs $12.00. We have a hookah with 2 regulators, all collecting gear, buckets and live well in our boat, having done this all over the place. The depth is 4 feet at the shallowest point and goes down to 20 ft on the West side and 10 to 12 on the East side. It is not far from shore, but we will bring our 25' boat-30' overall, which has a huge cockpit area, bimini top, built in coolers, livewell, stereo w/XM satelite radio and swimplatform with 3 step ladder. If more than 5 or 6 total on our boat, then maybe someone else can bring a boat too. Maybe we can do some seining later too. We have underwater video and digital cameras so maybe we can get some pics and post. Any takers? Lets see who wants to go, then try to get a day that we can do it. Steve.
snorkeling day anyone?
- Thread starter stevemc
- Start date
Ah64av8tor
Premium Member
I'm in 
with a boat, just let me know
with a boat, just let me know
myakkareef
Premium Member
Steve, If you can make this trip work that is awesome. I am going to leave it up to you to organize if you do not mind. I can send out a group email, but you might be better just working from the board here since there will be limited spaces and such. Dawn and I will be gone most weekends from now till the end of June, and will be in Michigan for a couple weeks in the middle of June. So it will be nice to have a fill-in organizer. If we happen to be around the weekend it goes down, that is only a plus on our side... Hopefully the weather and water clarity wil stick around. Everyone who goes be safe and hope you see som ecool critters out there...Also do remember to buy a licsense and confirm with Steve what is legal to take. I know we have alomost had trouble before whne we where doing some collecting on our own. It is very expensive if caught with the wrong items, plus you will be on a members boat which could be at risk...
I would say anyone can come. Maybe we can get 7-8 on our boat total, and I know Gregs boat may fit 5-6 at least, but it might be easier the less people, because of the gear and buckets etc. Weekends are usually best for most people, although I can get out during the week. I am thinking in a few weeks the water temp should be back up to low 80s. I got up to 85 a month or so ago, then 2 cold fronts knocked it way down. Shore temp is 78-80 depending on the weather, so we'll see. We will have to play it by ear, as weather will play into this. Steve.
Well, it looks like the boat thing should not be a problem! We'll see how many can do it, make a date and see how the weather is holding out. I guess it will be a week to week thing. Does all of you who want to snorkel have snorkeling gear? And know how to swim well? Have small nets? There are things on this reef that are cool to look at or collect. There are 3 species of Lysmata shrimps, at least 4 different species of blennies, several types of gorgonians, several types of hard corals(no takeing! just looking) many types of macro algae, 3 types of Caulerpa, snails, sponges, etc. Plus big fish. Last year we saw a big spotted eagle ray with a big cobia swimming with it. We see snook and sheepsheads sometimes. Usually small gag grouper and mangrove snappers. Many rocks are bright orange as they are coated with boring sponge. Rocks under overhangs are covered with coralline. No live rock collecting. The rocks there are sculpted with small caves and ledges. Should be good! You will need a mask that fits, snorkel, fins that fit, bathing suit, and a shirt when out of water if you burn easy, towels and a bucket and net if you want to try to collect things. For people that have not collected fish or shrimp this way, it can be very frustrating. But I have been doing it since a very small child, as my father was a marine tropical fish collector before I was born, and we lived right on the beach. I have tried to help people to collect and they watch me do it and then they get really mad when they try and cant get any. Maybe we should have a little get together in a couple weeks and I will go over fish and invert collecting and all the nets and things that go with it, and how to do it. Plus I will go over what we can take and how many/much etc. Any input on if any of you would be interested? We could do it at our house. Steve.
myakkareef
Premium Member
Deffinetly sounds like the boat problem is not a problem.
Steve, If I can help you in any way let me know...
Steve, If I can help you in any way let me know...
Ah64av8tor
Premium Member
Go to Wallmart or the tax collector for the license.
Here is summarized recreational harvesting regulations for popular tropical-ornamentals for aquarium species. bag limits
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