http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/captains-corner-spearfishing-clouded-by-poor-visibility-caused-by-irma/2337905
Spearfishing in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has been hampered by the lack of underwater visibility due to Hurricane Irma. The winds of Irma pulled up sediment from the bottom and suspended that debris throughout the water column. The fresh water runoff has added to the mix of suspended particles and created very turbid water. Some divers have ventured out in depths of 40 to 75 feet and the visibility has been 5 feet or less. Using smaller spearguns with lines attached they speared hogfish and sheepshead. The sheepshead were in the shallower depths and the hogfish were found in most depths. Fishermen have fared better as they target bottom fish using smelly baits that the fish can find. The bad visibility turns the fish into smell hunters. The good news is that the calm weather and slowdown of rain, since Irma and our calm forecasted weather should give the GOM time to settle down and normal bottom visibility should return. This is a good time to look for weak or worn areas on spearing gear and fix the issues. Look for tiny fissures in your gun stock, bends in your spearshafts and add new bands.
Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 344-3483 and captainbillhardman@gmail.com.
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