Today I got out on the water early and quickly made way to the five mile box cars. It's probably more accurately called the five mile now. Publicly known as AR372. It's a public reef about five miles off of Masonboro Island. North Carolina over time has sank box cars, barges, concrete pipe, and many other things in the area to create an artificial reef. Why I am getting on this horse you ask?
I anchored up today on the south end of a barge that was sank some years ago. After putting my gear together I flew the diver down flag from my console and began getting ready to dive. There was only one other boat anchored some distance away and the charter boat Corona Daze, Mike Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman, (I will not call him Captain) was obviously pissed that someone was anchored, and worse yet diving on a wreck in an area where he was trolling. He displayed, in front of his customers, a negative attitude when he trolled by and saw my flag. First shaking his head in disgust and then yelling "thanks a lot man." I can only imagine what he told his customers and very well hope they do not accept his behavior as right.
Why is it that some people think the they are entitled to fish the ocean and no one else is? It's ashamed that not any group of fishermen can stand together.
It's instances like these that illustrate why fishermen can't get along. We are divided along all lines. Commercial vs recreational, kayak vs boat, for hire vs recreational,and then those in this case believe us divers ruin their day.
On the second dive today, I moved inshore to another AR Reef. I've mentioned this one before in my blog, The Liberty Ship. I couldn't quite find the exact part that I wanted to anchor on today but found a spot none the less. I hadn't dove this area before but it stood a good chance to be very promising.
Getting to the bottom, I had a limit of nice flounder in no time. I had plenty of air to spare as well.
After surfacing, a boat pulled along side and asked about the structure on the bottom and if I'd seen any fish. See this guy is smart. He recognized that there was a diver in the water and quickly asked if I'd seen or gotten any flounder and asked some questions about the wreck. I quickly explained to him my findings and offered a suggestion as to where to drift and he quickly followed suit.
I made another dive as I had to retrieve my anchor. When I surfaced, the guy had put a four pounder in the boat already. He was very appreciative. After pulling anchor I moved by the guy and introduced myself and he gave me his business card.
Captain Jamie over at Seagate Charters was top notch. Ill sure be recommending him when someone asks me if I know of a good charter.
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