Trip dedicated to the passing of the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. In memoriam, I fashioned a makeshift guitar from a gaff, mono leader line, and a mango bucket, playing an acoustic version of "I Walk The Line" before the Jolly Dog feast Friday night.

Trip consisted of Spearboard member Paul, and four non-members who admitted to frequent lurking nonetheless. Not the best trip health wise for the crew. Jim Zurbrick got battery acid squirted in his eye, and I got my ass kicked Saturday night by a triple crown of stomach cramps, severe sinus congestion, and a frontal lobe shattering migraine. Needless to say, the flu prevented me from transforming into my alter-ego, Ar-mango Snapper-ez, Hell-spawned slayer of all snapper.

Had fantastic vis of 100' plus. On most dives you were able to clearly see the bottom from the surface. Current was ripping with the backside of the full moon. Nearly approached Palm Beach status in certain spots.

We had to really work to find fish this weekend. Mangos everywhere as per normal, aj's plentiful in their usual hangouts, not as many hogs for us as we normally get although most were male "blacksnouters", and gag grouper were at a premium. I did get a nice cobia on a new wreck we checked out that one of Jim's buddies gave him (No Financial Advis, you do not have this number ). Came back with a good box of fish, most of the guys have not done much MG diving so the learning curve was proportional to how many coolers you needed Sunday night. That's OK, there's only one way to get better. I wish I could go into one of my typical, overwrought too many adjective using epics, but it simply was a solid, garden variety trip. A great time had by all, great weather, great camaraderie.

AJ Suarez

SLAYTISTICS
mangos=137
gag and red grouper=21
hogfish=20
amberjack=13
king mack=1
cobia=1
porgies, triggers, bar jacks= alot