Captain’s Corner: Bill Hardman

The Tampa Bay Times

Summer fish patterns are in full swing.  Nice size “fire truck” Red Groupers are popping their heads out of their pothole homes in water from 100’ to 140’.  If bait is present around these potholes, Gag groupers are also around these limestone holes in the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.  The Gags don’t typically lay down in the potholes like the Red groupers. When divers approach these potholes, the Reds stay down in the hole and Gags tend to move away.   If spearfisherman see the Gag groupers before they feel threatened, a good shot can be made.  The Gags are usually out in the sand that surround the potholes and these fish will change their color from the normal mottled grey color to a creamy white.  This color change allows them to blend in with the sandy bottom of the sea.

Many times, the potholes are just big enough to allow one Gag grouper.  But that small pothole could have multiple Gags positioned in the sand just outside of the hole.  Take your time while in the last phase of your descent and look for these Gags around the pothole.  When you see them, they look like ghosts slowly moving over the sand.  On the descent, if you place all your attention on the pothole, you give the Gag the advantage. When focused on the pothole, the Gags slowly swim away, never to be seen by you. 

Capt. Bill Hardman teaches scuba classes and runs trips for Scuba, Spearfishing, Freediving and Technical diving courses at Aquatic Obsessions, 6193 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL  33710.  You can reach Capt. Hardman at (727) 344-3483 (DIVE) or info@aodive.com