Dan, I’m sorry this comment does not pertain to this particular video but more so to your vast knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico. My father and I have been offshore fishing since I was about 7, (I’m 29 now) he started me out of cedar key fishing mostly 35-50’ stuff on calm days making sure I had a good time. Over the years we started pushing off a little bit further and further until he decided to buy a bigger boat so we could start doing overnight trips to the middle grounds. We have been fishing and diving the middle grounds for about 15 years now and have always been able to find fish and have great trips. Caught/shot lots of great fish over the years and have gotten to the point we both are ready to “try something new”. Our personal best gag is around 37lbs, which is a great fish, but we are really wanting to try and target some of the 40+lb big copper belly gags that I know are out there. We fish out of Steinhatchee and headed to the northern middle grounds mostly (haven’t ventured into the southern middle grounds at all, and only a few trips into the central region of the grounds), from what I’ve researched about the big male copper bellies it seems that they do not leave their spawning aggregation sites at all and the females travel to them? I was curious if you might be able to give just a small amount of info in regards to “the edge” and the “40 fathom break”... I know the edge is closed to bottom fishing when the grouper are spawning but was curious as to how you would recommend searching for some spots along the 40 fathom break due west of the northern part of the middle grounds. I’ve read all your post on spearboard and it seems you find a lot of new spots by watching the machine while riding around, we have done the same and found most of our best spots that way. We are planning to head out for a couple days in search of new territory and hopefully be able to find some of the copper bellies and big scamps that I know are out there. We would never try to dive past 120’, this is strictly a rod and reel fishing trip between a father and son chasing their fishing dreams. Any help in regards to what to look for or what to expect while searching for bottom would be greatly appreciated. As of now we are just planning on running due west of the grounds until we get to the 40fathom break area and will start trolling for blackfin and hope we stumble across some big fish! I play professional baseball (only able to fish October-early Feb) so maybe I could return the favor somehow if you had any advice for us. Thanks a bunch, greatly appreciate it. I really enjoy watching you work underwater Brian
Dan, thank you for the response, greatly appreciated. I have signed up for spearboard and created a username. It says waiting on moderator to approve before I can send PM messages. Look forward to talking with you, Brian
What'cha eatin? "Mutton Honey." What a brace of cows! I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. Noticed you came up well off the bottom, and out of that crazy bait fish cloud, for a better vantage point, (as you've mentioned previously) in order to spot that sister hole, and find the other cow. Good stuff sir, Thanks again for sharing.
Every single video is just another epic bit of spearfishing! That mutton that swam off was giant. Just shot my first mutton off Sarasota a few weeks back. Can't wait for this weather to clear out so I can get back out there and shoot some more fish. Keep the videos coming.
Nice spot lots of bait and mutton is so good eating. Good deal. No better feeling then doing what makes us happy in these times and age. Nice video Dan.
Thanks Joe, it's funny, I had more free time during the CV outbreak and just started posting a few videos to help with us all going stir crazy. I've enjoyed doing it and am glad most fine them worth while. Thanks for watching and your comments, Best, Dan
You are one talented spearo. I'm hooked on watching your videos. The one thing that would make them better is to see your quarry on the boat. Thanks for awesome vids!
FT, thanks. It's a comm rig that's been tweaked and tuned over the last 20 years but hasn't really been changed in the last 5 years or so. It actually utilizes 3 spears not 4. The other "spear" is actually a 10" spike that is useful for many purposes. Thanks again for your interest. Dan
Hey John, usually we rotate, so it's one guy down and 2-3 guys on boat. Sometimes it's 2 guys in and 2 guys on boat. Very occasionally I'll take a non-diver but that almost never happens. Best, Dan
Yeah the water's been screwy out deeper. 170'-200' was really crappy. Those two holes were found on a run in, and in an area where I have no spots. Def sweet.
Hey John, unfortunately not. I only have commercial permits and you need charter permits to take paying customers. I looked in to doing just that a few years ago but the insurance cost squashed that idea pretty quickly. I'm hoping after I retire to do some stuff on a recreational level with other people. Hope it works out. Best, Dan
Willie, we def do that. There's just such limited bottom time in 200'-250' that it's almost un-doable. In shallower water, it's a whole different story. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 Thanks for clearing that up for me...It drives me a little bonkers when I see how many are out there knowing that they have no natural enemies but man and just how destructive they are to all baby fish including gags, Carbos and Scamps....
Ps: I have never seen anyone with your talent underwater....your ability to use no wasted movement, never lose your cool and the kill shots that you make look routine.
Ok I mean "murder" . Sure it's not easy to go -80 meters but it's easy to kill the fish,we have different hobby and logic,the only sure this isn't spearfishing,anyway sorry for my English i believe to understand me,thanks to listen me..
Sifis, Thanks for the comments. You're right , it's extremely hard to dive 80 meters and requires lots of training, gear and effort. There's not that many spear fishermen in the world and it's too bad that there has to be this division between some of us. I enjoy free diving and am actually not too bad at it but I def also enjoy deep spearing . Enjoying however you choose to spearfish and being safe are the goals. Best, Dan
@@Fabio66nelblu even at 30m you say it like easy... this man is commercial and a one man fish killing machine. Do some research on him. Also no by catch, nets, broken of fishing lines. Pretty sustainable if you ask me. When you harvest fish for a living as deep as this man freediving is out of the question. And something tells me even with his age he's probably a better freedive spearo then most.
Nice shootin as always Capt. I love freeshafting big muttons. That one that swam off was an absolute horse!
Thanks RM. He looked like 25-26 to me. I love freeshafting Muttons also. Just too deep to stick him that far away in that depth. Best, Dan
Dan,
I’m sorry this comment does not pertain to this particular video but more so to your vast knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico. My father and I have been offshore fishing since I was about 7, (I’m 29 now) he started me out of cedar key fishing mostly 35-50’ stuff on calm days making sure I had a good time. Over the years we started pushing off a little bit further and further until he decided to buy a bigger boat so we could start doing overnight trips to the middle grounds. We have been fishing and diving the middle grounds for about 15 years now and have always been able to find fish and have great trips. Caught/shot lots of great fish over the years and have gotten to the point we both are ready to “try something new”. Our personal best gag is around 37lbs, which is a great fish, but we are really wanting to try and target some of the 40+lb big copper belly gags that I know are out there. We fish out of Steinhatchee and headed to the northern middle grounds mostly (haven’t ventured into the southern middle grounds at all, and only a few trips into the central region of the grounds), from what I’ve researched about the big male copper bellies it seems that they do not leave their spawning aggregation sites at all and the females travel to them? I was curious if you might be able to give just a small amount of info in regards to “the edge” and the “40 fathom break”... I know the edge is closed to bottom fishing when the grouper are spawning but was curious as to how you would recommend searching for some spots along the 40 fathom break due west of the northern part of the middle grounds. I’ve read all your post on spearboard and it seems you find a lot of new spots by watching the machine while riding around, we have done the same and found most of our best spots that way. We are planning to head out for a couple days in search of new territory and hopefully be able to find some of the copper bellies and big scamps that I know are out there. We would never try to dive past 120’, this is strictly a rod and reel fishing trip between a father and son chasing their fishing dreams. Any help in regards to what to look for or what to expect while searching for bottom would be greatly appreciated. As of now we are just planning on running due west of the grounds until we get to the 40fathom break area and will start trolling for blackfin and hope we stumble across some big fish! I play professional baseball (only able to fish October-early Feb) so maybe I could return the favor somehow if you had any advice for us. Thanks a bunch, greatly appreciate it. I really enjoy watching you work underwater
Brian
Brian, sure, would be glad to help you and your father. Why don't you PM me on spearboard and we can discuss.
Dan, thank you for the response, greatly appreciated. I have signed up for spearboard and created a username. It says waiting on moderator to approve before I can send PM messages. Look forward to talking with you,
Brian
What'cha eatin? "Mutton Honey."
What a brace of cows! I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. Noticed you came up well off the bottom, and out of that crazy bait fish cloud, for a better vantage point, (as you've mentioned previously) in order to spot that sister hole, and find the other cow. Good stuff sir, Thanks again for sharing.
Thanks Paul! Glad you're enjoying the videos and I'm having fun posting them as well. Best, Dan
Every single video is just another epic bit of spearfishing! That mutton that swam off was giant. Just shot my first mutton off Sarasota a few weeks back. Can't wait for this weather to clear out so I can get back out there and shoot some more fish. Keep the videos coming.
Thanks TW. Yeah he was a big one. I keep looking for that 30 Lb'er....!!
Nice spot lots of bait and mutton is so good eating. Good deal. No better feeling then doing what makes us happy in these times and age. Nice video Dan.
Thanks Joe, it's funny, I had more free time during the CV outbreak and just started posting a few videos to help with us all going stir crazy. I've enjoyed doing it and am glad most fine them worth while. Thanks for watching and your comments, Best, Dan
Hi Dan, I like the way you put the short comments.
RC, thanks for that. I don't want to overdo it, so I usually stick to not too many comments! Best, Dan
I learn something every video. Thanks
Randy, that's awesome! Thanks for letting me know that, def put a smile on my face! Best, Dan
we alway want to see your pressure gate situation.
You are one talented spearo. I'm hooked on watching your videos. The one thing that would make them better is to see your quarry on the boat. Thanks for awesome vids!
Thanks SB, I appreciate it. I should take some topside pics. Good suggestion, I'll work on it.
@@danmacmahon3973 that would be greatly appreciated by all!! Especially the bigger grouper!!
Keep up the good work an putting words on there telling us what you see helps thanks
Thanks SC, I'll def keep doing that! Best, Dan
if we can see the data from meter if much interesting.
Love the vids. Which gun is that?
BB, we make the guns ourselves, using neptonics and spearfishing specialties parts, Rob Allen spears and custom fabricated pieces.
Was just about to ask. That's the best setup on a gun I've seen! 2 power heads and holds 4 spears, nice man!
FT, thanks. It's a comm rig that's been tweaked and tuned over the last 20 years but hasn't really been changed in the last 5 years or so. It actually utilizes 3 spears not 4. The other "spear" is actually a 10" spike that is useful for many purposes. Thanks again for your interest. Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 Any suggestions as to what parts to use? That is one heck of a set up.
Nice hunt..where is there..?
Seth - so am I ,,, Dan guys that dive with you seem to never fish , are they to protect and observe ?? (just wondering)
Hey John, usually we rotate, so it's one guy down and 2-3 guys on boat. Sometimes it's 2 guys in and 2 guys on boat. Very occasionally I'll take a non-diver but that almost never happens. Best, Dan
Pit stop at the sister hole was worth it
Damn thats a sick hole. Looks like the bottom cleared up for you
Yeah the water's been screwy out deeper. 170'-200' was really crappy. Those two holes were found on a run in, and in an area where I have no spots. Def sweet.
Dan - does your boat fish guide for a guy like me from Wisconsin ( I am referring to rod and reel)
Hey John, unfortunately not. I only have commercial permits and you need charter permits to take paying customers. I looked in to doing just that a few years ago but the insurance cost squashed that idea pretty quickly. I'm hoping after I retire to do some stuff on a recreational level with other people. Hope it works out. Best, Dan
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
اين اجد متل هاديه بندقية الصيد في أين بلد متوفر وشكرأ
Why don't you take a few minutes per dive and rid your dive sites of a few lion fish?
Willie, we def do that. There's just such limited bottom time in 200'-250' that it's almost un-doable. In shallower water, it's a whole different story. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 Thanks for clearing that up for me...It drives me a little bonkers when I see how many are out there knowing that they have no natural enemies but man and just how destructive they are to all baby fish including gags, Carbos and Scamps....
Ps: I have never seen anyone with your talent underwater....your ability to use no wasted movement, never lose your cool and the kill shots that you make look routine.
أرجو ترجمة لغتي العربيه 😁 انا لا اعرف لغة E وارجو الرد اين يتوفر بندقية الصيد متل هادا 😭😭😭انا من ليبيا 🇱🇾 ارجو الرد😓💔
Thanks! I don't know exactly what you're saying (sorry) but the heart at the end I understand ! Glad you liked it! Best, Dan
موجود عندنا في الامارات
Where was this out of?
Sarasota
Did i see u let some fish go after they were on ur stringer??
Gunner, no def not! Thanks for watching. Best, Dan
Spearfishing only with one breath,not like this,this is murder..
Murder is only between humans. Hard to snorkel in 80 meter deep water. Thanks for watching.
Ok I mean "murder" . Sure it's not easy to go -80 meters but it's easy to kill the fish,we have different hobby and logic,the only sure this isn't spearfishing,anyway sorry for my English i believe to understand me,thanks to listen me..
Sifis, Thanks for the comments. You're right , it's extremely hard to dive 80 meters and requires lots of training, gear and effort. There's not that many spear fishermen in the world and it's too bad that there has to be this division between some of us. I enjoy free diving and am actually not too bad at it but I def also enjoy deep spearing . Enjoying however you choose to spearfish and being safe are the goals. Best, Dan
This is not underwater fishing. Too easy like that! keep one breath and go down!!!
Hard to spear fish in 265' (80M) with a snorkel. Thanks for watching. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 I thought you were about 30 meters deep.... :-)
@@Fabio66nelblu even at 30m you say it like easy... this man is commercial and a one man fish killing machine. Do some research on him. Also no by catch, nets, broken of fishing lines. Pretty sustainable if you ask me. When you harvest fish for a living as deep as this man freediving is out of the question. And something tells me even with his age he's probably a better freedive spearo then most.