Summer has been living up to its reputation as a great time to dive and fish the Treasure Coast. We keep hearing of fabulous catches of fish and lobsters from our waters. Divers have been coming into our shop since mini-season opened with reports of limiting out on bugs, and they have all been of good size. Our friend and captain of the Gillbilly dive charter boat out of Stuart has reported St. Lucie spearfishing has been on fire in the shallower waters 40 to 60 feet, with colder waters out deep, fish have been moving into the nearshore wrecks. Kingfish can be found in 80 to 120 feet of water. For the spearfisherman hunting in the weed lines, cobia are being found cruising the inside ledge north of the inlet. If you head south of St. Lucie Inlet, kingfish can be found on the reefs. Visibility has been the best that it has been all year with almost top to bottom clarity. Large grouper have been found hiding in holes so look for the crevasse that they like to hide in. They can also be found inside of wrecks along with mangrove snapper and schools of sheepshead.
Water temperatures have remained warm on top high 70’s to 80 degrees. However, a thermocline is present and has temperatures below it between 50 to 60 degrees. A 7mm suit is recommended. While diving this area now, and for the next month or so, remember that the Goliath groupers are aggregating. We have been consistently seeing groups of 30 to 100 on deep reefs and wrecks.
We are finding the Treasure Coast to be a hidden diving treasure. While in the area please feel free to swing by StuartSCUBA if you have any questions on local sites or for your dive charters in the area. Our divers are looking forward to seeing you under the boat and we will report in again next month.
FORECAST BY: Christy Campbell
StuartSCUBA
Stuart, Florida
PHONE: 772-600-8288
EMAIL: info@stuartscuba.com
WEB: www.stuartscuba.com
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