Hot! Gulf temps are in the 85 degree area. Bring a bath robe! We have been having some of the best vis in years for this time of the year. The rains have created problems with vis and high seas, but we are still getting out every week. Some red tide reported at Ft. Desoto. Fishing in shallow is very slow. Try 100' or deeper for the big ones.

Scallop Report... Capt. Ben Pitta, Attorney Richard Blunt and I went scalloping with Capt. Glen Touchton out of Ozello, Florida. What a perfect day! The eight mile ride to the boat ramp is though rustic, picturesque, old Florida. Just beautiful! The backwater ride in a well made home-made flats boat was another real thrill. Just beautiful. We jumped into 6' to 8' water, bright green turtle grass covered the bottom. Great Vis. Quickly we began to collect scallops. In two hours we had limited out, Capt. Glen had already cleaned most of them by the time we got on board. That night, all of us dined on the delicious tasty treats. Just beautiful!

Wreck Trip... "Cheated death again"! We had a two day charter in the Gulf for wreck diving. The weather was nasty, with rain storms blowing by and occasional 5' foot seas, it was a tough two days. But the water was so nice at 85 degrees plus and with all the weather we still had decent vis. We got a few fish for dinner both nights so all in all it was a great experience. Tough guy awards go to all those on board, Michael and Brian Keezel, Dr. Tareq Sanan, Saoud Sanan, Alan Salter, Chris Price, Jon Matthews, Capt. Ben Pitta and Capt. John.

Additional info at: www.scubatampa.com/faqsgdive.html

Scallop Season July 1st to September 11th.

The most productive way to catch scallops is with mask, fins and snorkel. Drifting along, the snorkeler looks for scallops in patchs of seagrass. Sharp eyes help pick up the shiny paired eyes lining the scallop's interior mantel. Being towed behind the boat on a snorkel sled, using a glass bottom bucket are other methods of locating scallops (Sleds and Buckets available from Aquatic Adventures dive shop).

What you need to scallop:

• Saltwater Fishing License
• Mask, Fins, Snorkel
• Mesh Bag
• Diver's Flag or pull Flag with float. Caution Flag sizes have changed.
• Polorized Sun Glasses.

I will be booking Scallop Trips from July to September 11th when the season closes. Full boat with guide $250.00 or $60.00 per person, 6 hours of fun!

Crystal River

Manatee at 3 Sisters

Manatees! There are still Manatees at Crystal River. But the heard moved out earlier this month. There are 50 or in the park all year round, but you have to look a little harder to find them. I always find manatee!

Additional info on manatees at:
www.scubacrystalriver.com
www.scubatampa.com/manatee.html and www.scubatampa.com/manateefacts.html

Don't make me do it!

See: www.scubatampa.com/calendar.html and www.scubatampa.com/classes.html for additional information.

Former students may go diving on training days for tune-ups and fun ($15.00 per person, plus cost of dive, if applicable)

The Poor Man's Lobster Season!

Scalloping Boneheads Bombard Crystal River! I have often heard it said that "all you need to own a boat is money"! The unsaid other side of that saying is "If you don't have much money, you don't have much boat"!

Every weekend I have been teaching up at Crystal River and every weekend I have been more than amused at the scene at the loading ramps at the Best Western Hotel. Hoards of folks converge on this small community every year during scallop season. Their antics are priceless!

During the lobster mini-season in the Keys it is the same scene, just nicer boats.

Five sinkings to date at the docks of the Best Western. Most of the sinkings were folks tying up to the dock without spring lines. They get up in the morning to a sunken boat. That'll ruin your weekend. Lots of boats put in the water without the drain plugs in. The Chinese Fire Drills to pull the sinking boat out of the water, or get the plugs in or start the boat and get it up on plane to bail the boat are laugh riots!

I have never laughed so hard in my life. I wish I had pictures to share, next year I will be better prepared. Funny or not, it is also pretty scary.

No one has been hurt so far and most of the accidents have been at the dock or in shallow water. Bottom line is if you are going to own a boat get some training. Buy a boat that is safe and seaworthy. I personally would not step into the boat of a un-trained first time boat owner or in a boat that I thought was unsafe or un-seaworthy. It is amazing how many people will. Boating, like diving it is only fun as long as it is safe. In diving you have required training, I think it is time that boat owners have required training as well.

Scuba Industry Morns the Loss of John Cronin, PADI Co-Founder

Previous Newsletters

Captain John Russell

813-966-6525 Cell Phone 24/7

scubatampa@earthlink.net

No harm was done to any kittens in this publication. Kitten is a professional model over the age of 18 weeks. Signed consent forms on file. The opinions here are not necessarily the opinons of Capt. John, just part of the "cornucopia of crap" that he is so want to share with you, whether you want him to or not. Capt. John has no character, he is one!

© Copyright Scubatampa.com, Captain "Handsome" John L. Russell 3 1998-2003, all rights reserved (all lefts reserved too)! Violators will be slowly beaten to death. Last revised 13 Mar 2009.