February can be a bit chilly topside but many are surprised to learn water temps remain relatively warm throughout the winter in Florida, especially offshore. Divers who venture out local inlets maybe in for a treat if sea conditions lay down long enough between cold fronts since visibility can be quite clear this time of year too. Hunters love February since lobster season remains open and cobia return to local waters making for exciting encounters during the winter months.
Visibility on the Treasure Coast is quite predictable this time of year, provided an eye is kept to the wind. Strong northerly winds from passing fronts during the winter months are often preceded by offshore, westerly winds for 12-to-24 hours before the front sweeps through. With a little timing, divers can take advantage of this short spell of calm seas near the beach and can sneak in some great dives just outside local inlets. Since our area has been very dry for the past few months, there have been no discharges from Lake Okeechobee and minimal run-off from local canals. This results in clear water and great visibility at areas, like Peck Lake just outside of the St. Lucie, or the shallow reefs just north of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Local beach cams at Jensen Beach and Bathtub reef are great tools for watching real-time conditions for calm seas and good visibility. Temperatures can be surprisingly warm below the surface too, due to the proximity of our area to the warm influence of the Gulf Stream. Temps in the low 70s are common and can be warmer then air temps in some cases. A few tricks for staying warm after a dive: fill one-gallon water jugs with HOT water from the tap before leaving the house and put them in cooler. They will stay warm inside for four-plus hours and make for a great warm-water rinse after a dive. Dry clothes and a beanie are a big help too. Even a knee-length ‘boatcoat’ or parka over top of wet suits to protect from the wind will ensure a comfortable ride back to the dock after a dive in cool weather.
Since lobster season remains open through March, divers have plenty of time to bag a delicious meal while exploring area reefs. Cobia should also make their return in big numbers in February and Valentine’s Day is a great time to start looking for them. Divers will notice these good-eating gamefish tend to follow sharks, rays and big turtles and put up quite a fight making them one of the most exciting fish to spear. Hunters should consider floating speared fish to the surface on a lift bag or sausage to avoid losing a catch or provoking an encounter with the tax collectors in grey suits. A common technique is to color code lift bags so boat crew know what’s attached to the other end, red for marking divers positions beneath the surface, and yellow or green for fish.
FORECAST BY: Steve Wood
Deep Six Watersports – Stuart
(772) 288-3999 Stuart
(772) 562-2883 Vero
Email: Steve.wood@deepsix.com
Website: www.deepsixintl.com
