Tuesday February 25: Aquarium Days in the Keys

Yesterday and today have been the two best days at the reef that we have ever seen!

These days don't come often and considering that we have been here almost 2 months and finally the boat work is on hold - it's definitely time to play.

We headed out yesterday with friends Cindy and Randy on "I Think I Can" and Werner and Kathy on "It's About Time" aboard. The wind was non-existent. (Thanks for the picture, Terri!)

It's been a while since the water has been literally like an aquarium - all the 12 miles to the reef. Sitting on the flybridge looking down, you could see every sponge and blade of grass.

A 4 foot shark swam under the boat - not where we were going to snorkel of course!

Totally amazing!!

Once we arrived at Sombrero Reef, the clarity of the water was even better. It was so easy to just look over and see all of the reef fish swimming around.

It wasn't long before everyone was in the water to get a closer look at the fish. The largest one I saw was, of course, a grouper! It's no wonder the size minimum is 2 feet when in season - this thing was huge!

Cindy and Randy had a new camera to try out: waterproof to 50 feet. No problem here at Sombrero as the depth is probably 50 feet at the very deepest end of the reef.

Nice camera, though - great colors.

After lunch at the reef, we headed off to try our luck at fishing. "Just go anywhere out there and find a ledge" were the instructions on where to fish.

Mmmm ... first spot was not so good. Got the anchor stuck again but Steve managed to work it loose.


Second place? Way better! Randy caught a scalloped hammerhead shark - really sharp looking teeth - as well as a triggerfish and a spanish mackerel.

Steve and Werner both also caught mackerel. What fun to catch! They just take the bait and run like crazy!

Sadly, Cindy had two fish on but both got away. I had one big something but it pulled the line down and wrapped around a rock :-(

But there was fresh fish for dinner tonight as everyone was just too tired to make it last night.

What was amazing was how the pelicans figured out that I was cleaning fish! I don't know if their eyesight is that good or they smell that well but regardless, there was no wasted fish :-)

Today, Steve, Randy and Cindy headed back to the reef with "Jenna Star" George and Nancy. I begged off and had a whole 6 hours to my lonesome self ... and I did almost nothing the whole time ... it's been a while :-)

Pictures from today's snorkeling and snubba: (snubba is the nice way to dive - the tank stays in the boat or floating on the surface on buoys while you get your air from a 60 foot hose).

Anemone on the left and anglefish on the right.

Just color Steve happy :-)