Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
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- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:13 pm
Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Just returned from a great trip to FGB out of Texas. I have been wanting to do this trip for a long time and we picked the perfect time. Seas were 6"-12" with little to no current. We boarded the MV Fling on 8/28 at about 8:00pm and heading to the Garden Banks. We hit our first five on the 29th at around 7:00am. There was a little current on this site, so we spent a lot of time adjusting and trying to get comfortable. I chose WA for this dive and struggled to get some good shots. Here are a few favorites.
Dive two was at the same site. However, this time, instead of fighting the current we chose to drop immediately and swim under the current. This proved to be a good idea as this dive was a lot more relaxing. There were tons of Lionfish and Barracuda, amongst a ton of coral heads. Again, not a tons of good shots, I was trying to get George to model for me :-)
After dive #2, I took a nap and woke up tied off the an Oil Rig. We were told that the Oil Rigs were no longer an option. The boat was thrilled and the WA choice paid off here. We even swam with (2) sharks around the oil rig.
After lunch we moved to the East Garden Bank for an evening and night dive. As I was in the water for dive #4, the DM hit my camera port against the boat and dislodged it. I jumped out of the water and quickly reset the port. The shield was broken, but the port was in great condition. This would be my last WA dive of the trip.
For the night dive (#5) I went Macro, and boy was I in my element. A Macro night dive was the remedy for a frustrating day of shooting.
This was tiny, could use an ID :-)
During the evening of the 29th we moved to Stetson Bank Buoy #3 for the last two dives. We woke up to an amazing sunrise. The diving here was phenomenal. The first dive we spent relatively shallow, chasing macro critters.
The final dive George and I dropped in on a Manta Ray and Sandbar Shark! It was a truly amazing experience. I got the Manta on video and a rough shot of the Shark with my macro rig. We saw tons of baby Lionfish, I know these are invasive, but they are beautiful.
All in all, this was an amazing trip. We had wonderful conditions and I couldn't ask for a better buddy. I will post a video in the near future. Have an awesome holiday weekend. I will leave you with my absolute favorite shot of the trip.
Dive two was at the same site. However, this time, instead of fighting the current we chose to drop immediately and swim under the current. This proved to be a good idea as this dive was a lot more relaxing. There were tons of Lionfish and Barracuda, amongst a ton of coral heads. Again, not a tons of good shots, I was trying to get George to model for me :-)
After dive #2, I took a nap and woke up tied off the an Oil Rig. We were told that the Oil Rigs were no longer an option. The boat was thrilled and the WA choice paid off here. We even swam with (2) sharks around the oil rig.
After lunch we moved to the East Garden Bank for an evening and night dive. As I was in the water for dive #4, the DM hit my camera port against the boat and dislodged it. I jumped out of the water and quickly reset the port. The shield was broken, but the port was in great condition. This would be my last WA dive of the trip.
For the night dive (#5) I went Macro, and boy was I in my element. A Macro night dive was the remedy for a frustrating day of shooting.
This was tiny, could use an ID :-)
During the evening of the 29th we moved to Stetson Bank Buoy #3 for the last two dives. We woke up to an amazing sunrise. The diving here was phenomenal. The first dive we spent relatively shallow, chasing macro critters.
The final dive George and I dropped in on a Manta Ray and Sandbar Shark! It was a truly amazing experience. I got the Manta on video and a rough shot of the Shark with my macro rig. We saw tons of baby Lionfish, I know these are invasive, but they are beautiful.
All in all, this was an amazing trip. We had wonderful conditions and I couldn't ask for a better buddy. I will post a video in the near future. Have an awesome holiday weekend. I will leave you with my absolute favorite shot of the trip.
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Jesse - thank you so much for this trip report. This has been on my list for years and I'm so happy you got to do it!
Great shots, as always. They really capture the moment.
Can you fill us in on the nature of the diving, tanks, boat rules, your travel arrangements, etc as you have time?
Thanks again!
Great shots, as always. They really capture the moment.
Can you fill us in on the nature of the diving, tanks, boat rules, your travel arrangements, etc as you have time?
Thanks again!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
- Bric Martin
- Aquanaut
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- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 11:36 pm
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Great report! Sorry about the camera mishap, but your pictures are fantastic!
Bric Martin
Save the Oceans, Save Ourselves!
RIP LCF
https://goo.gl/photos/tSdZZHXf4xejLBSz5
https://goo.gl/photos/fTCN7LuFvxWYF11e8
Save the Oceans, Save Ourselves!
RIP LCF
https://goo.gl/photos/tSdZZHXf4xejLBSz5
https://goo.gl/photos/fTCN7LuFvxWYF11e8
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
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Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Certainly. Flew into Houston and left from Freeport Texas. George flew in the Friday of departure, I flew in a day early to visit friends. Drive to Freeport via rental car was about 90 minutes. Boarded around 7:30pm and left at 9ish. Also, on my early arrival I rented LP108s from Houston dive shop called Gigglin' Marlin. The boat has Alum 80s and can only fill to 3000, this turned out to be a great move. The tanks were an extra $30 for the weekend. The seas were extremely calm 6"-12" and the water "Bonaire" Warm. I dove my 5-4-3 the first dive and ended up in a rash guard and shorts the remaining dives, water temp was 86 degrees. Boat rules are on the web site, but they are very strict, and rightfully so, we were in BFE so any accident is critical. The main rules was 130' (or MOD) on dive 1 and you could not exceed 100' the rest of the day. In fact, they asked for BT and Depth as you exited the water. One thing I really appreciated is the DM asked "How are you feeling?" after every dive and a couple times on the side. It was a strict but excellent crew. We stayed in Clute upon our return on Sunday, it was nice to have the boat ride home to collect and pack your belongings. We then flew out on Monday around 5:00pm. The food on board was great as well, they always had something out to munch on.Tom Nic wrote:Jesse - thank you so much for this trip report. This has been on my list for years and I'm so happy you got to do it!
Great shots, as always. They really capture the moment.
Can you fill us in on the nature of the diving, tanks, boat rules, your travel arrangements, etc as you have time?
Thanks again!
Anything I missed for you Nic?
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
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- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:13 pm
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Dive operator was MV Fling.
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
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- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:13 pm
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Thanks Bric. Yeah they banged it pretty good. I said "Lower it and I will look at it." the DM said "No! Come up here and look." I am glad I did, the port was jarred loose. All in all, no damage what so ever, so I really appreciate them strongly encouraging me to exit and inspect :-)Bric Martin wrote:Great report! Sorry about the camera mishap, but your pictures are fantastic!
- Penopolypants
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Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Gorgeous shots!! I am envious!
Come to the nerd side, we have pi!
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
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Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Thank you PPants I will share my amateur video tomorrow and hopefully Gdog will be able to post some pics and commentary too.Penopolypants wrote:Gorgeous shots!! I am envious!
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Im always late to the party.....
So here are the best of what I shot on this trip. I was not real happy with my wide angle shots, clearly need several more trips to Flower Garden Banks until I improve! Still, it was a fantastic trip.
I also felt more comfortable when I switched to Macro. Here are some of the results;
Had a blast on this trip, especially the Oil Rig. Jesse, thanks for being my dive buddy! Oh and also thanks for sharing your Deet bug spray; those mosquitos rode up on horses Texas style before they tried to suck you dry.
So here are the best of what I shot on this trip. I was not real happy with my wide angle shots, clearly need several more trips to Flower Garden Banks until I improve! Still, it was a fantastic trip.
I also felt more comfortable when I switched to Macro. Here are some of the results;
Had a blast on this trip, especially the Oil Rig. Jesse, thanks for being my dive buddy! Oh and also thanks for sharing your Deet bug spray; those mosquitos rode up on horses Texas style before they tried to suck you dry.
- xBabyJesus
- Avid Diver
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Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Awesome dive report! My girlfriendbuddy is from Texas and she is shocked that this place even existed! Pretty sure we are booking soon
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Great report & pics, guys!
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Cool stuff!
I really like those baby lionfish photos, besides the invasiveness! Beautiful curves and colors in each of your pictures!
I really like those baby lionfish photos, besides the invasiveness! Beautiful curves and colors in each of your pictures!
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more! Your fellow diver will appreciate any viz reports you can add!
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
...I like going to the chamber.. They have great food there, and awsome live music "H20doctor"
Check out the VIDEOS!
Check out the VIDEOS!
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Really beautiful pictures guys! I'm so glad you had a fun trip! I love how you captured all the color and life! Jesse really like your pics of Gdog! He had some great modeling skills! Also glad your camera is ok.
Gdog I really like the tube worms? Shot and the cute fish in between. Such cool eyes!!
Welcome back!!! We missed you guys!!
Gdog I really like the tube worms? Shot and the cute fish in between. Such cool eyes!!
Welcome back!!! We missed you guys!!
Live Long And Prosper!!!
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Wow, great shots and reports! Super impressed...
Jim
Jim
<Penopolypants> "I, for one, would welcome our new cowboy octopus overlords."
<LCF> "There is ALWAYS another day to dive, as long as you get home today."
<LCF> "There is ALWAYS another day to dive, as long as you get home today."
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Awesome shots and great report Jesse. Stunning work! Really love the last shot as well as the sponges on the oil rig. I need to work on my modeling Skills! Another thing I think you forgot to mention was the food. We did 5 dives the first day, and ate before and after every dive. Something different was prepared each time we came out of the water, and it was all good and plentiful. The crew of the Fling did a great job, excluding the bumping of your camera port!
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Also I really love that squat lobster looking guy!!!!
Live Long And Prosper!!!
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Great trip report Jesse. Your last two shots are my favorite. On banging your dome port, how did this happen, they were raising and lowering your cameras from up above via a rope or something?
Gdog, how did you do on the seasickness, did you guys manage to attract many fish?
Gdog, how did you do on the seasickness, did you guys manage to attract many fish?
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Meclazine worked well for me although we has seas of 1' or less. We still had side to side rocking, and swells but nothing bad. I had zero problems. So we were a little weak in the chumming category. Thought about stabbing Jesse in the leg to see if the sharks would come in closer but Jesse wouldn't let me get close enough....Tangfish wrote: Gdog, how did you do on the seasickness, did you guys manage to attract many fish?
- Penopolypants
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Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Hah!Gdog wrote: Thought about stabbing Jesse in the leg to see if the sharks would come in closer but Jesse wouldn't let me get close enough....
And great shots from you too Gdog!
Come to the nerd side, we have pi!
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Gdog wrote:... Thought about stabbing Jesse in the leg to see if the sharks would come in closer but Jesse wouldn't let me get close enough....
...I like going to the chamber.. They have great food there, and awsome live music "H20doctor"
Check out the VIDEOS!
Check out the VIDEOS!
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 3027
- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:13 pm
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 3027
- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:13 pm
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Yes, they were lowering with a rope. They felt really bad about it and mentioned it right away. Otherwise, they handled the cameras very well.Tangfish wrote:Great trip report Jesse. Your last two shots are my favorite. On banging your dome port, how did this happen, they were raising and lowering your cameras from up above via a rope or something?
Gdog, how did you do on the seasickness, did you guys manage to attract many fish?
Re: Flower Garden Banks, Texas Caribbean
Hey the video was a blast to watch!!