Well the water is dirty everywhere apparently so even though the wind is calm I am stuck on land. The mutton spawn is happening apparently and of course the vis is terrible. Last year vis was terrible on the mutton spawn as well. I am beginning to perhaps notice patterns in the visibility. Is the water always dirty when the muttons are spawning?
Anyways the big Cero Mackerel I shot a couple months ago was a new world record. World record for freedive spearfishing, apparently the all tackle record is 17#. Probably not the most prestigious fish in the sea but I will take what I can get. I had always noticed that we seem to get bigger cero mackerel then anywhere else in the Keys, at least looking at tons of fishing reports. I knew when I landed the fish that it was humongous for a cero mackerel. My record page is here http://iusarecords.com/display_record.php?id=481 . You can see the list of all the freedive fish records here http://iusarecords.com/world_record_list.php.
I think the scale was still set up for stone crabs, cero mackerel sells for around $1 a pound
I love how the fish is $18.95 a pound on the scale. When you add up gas, boat and gear, it’s probably double! Love the website, and especially love the pictures. They are magnificent.
I am an “ex-pat” Conch living in Miami, often visiting my family in Key West. I see some underwater sights I’ve not seen since I was a kid. Let me know about the offer on taking folks out and splitting costs.
AWESOME! Way to go Ben! Sucks the vis is so shitty during the spawn. Vis has been so-so up here…and I haven’t even had a chance to get out. Closest I’ve been was 2 miles out the inlet on opening day of grouper, before turning around. If it’s glass calm go out anyway…the fish will be less wary.
Congratulations on the record. Don’t let the murky water stop you. It takes a little getting used to but the fish are still there. We live with the murck up hear in MD.
Cheers,
Tassos
I have some video from diving the shrimp boats that shows more sharks then I have seen in my entire life. The sharks are mostly small and video is kind of messed up because the lens that was on the camera causes a lot of distortion.
When I get a chance I am going to re-edit it and post it on here.
Nice job on the record!
If you don’t mind I have a request – I have been a pretty big fan of your site for a while and finally met you when I took the PFI free dive course with Catherine last summer, was cool. You have some awesome shark photos and footage, can you put together a shark video? I moved to Guam and talk to people about all the sharks that I had seen in the keys and most people find it unbelievable. I would love to show them some of the crazy shark encounters you have had.
Congrats Ben…. Mom forwarded she must be pretty proud (as am i). Can’t wait to see you, never been to key west before. It’s gnarly that you a an award winning fisherperson. Tell Katherine i say hello. And I am very proud of you….. Congrats!!!!
Really 10+10????