The Tampa Bay Times
Current scuba diving water conditions in the eastern Gulf of Mexico have been a little murky. The offshore underwater visibility has been poor and that makes it hard for spearfishermen to see, track and spear a fleeting fish. When the water clarity is poor most divers wait for better days, but the persistent underwater hunters don’t quit. These divers go any way and focus on more close-up hunting. Divers who like to hunt and enjoy the flavor of the Florida lobsters use this time of year to search up close and under ledges and crevices for these lobsters. The Florida spiny lobster season is still open until the end of March. In our local waters, hunting for spiny lobsters can have a double bonus. The spiny lobster isn’t the only species of huntable lobsters in the Gulf of Mexico. Experienced divers also keep their eye out for the very tasty slipper lobsters. Slipper lobsters, also known as “shovelnose”, “bulldozer” lobsters reside inside the same ledges and reefs that the spiny lobster occupy. The slipper lobster uses their incredible camouflage to hide from view. Slippers look just like a rock. They also frequently hang upside down on the ceiling of the undercut or hole. Experienced divers know to look down at the bottom of the undercut for spiny lobsters and then to look up on the ceiling of the reef for the slipper lobsters. Their ability to blend in with the reef is their best protection and most divers never see them.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
