Middle Grounds 7

[@tbtaijeron]

I have spear fished for years , never had scuba gear. But clearly , some of the best fish are deeper than the 12- 30 feet I Get down to. Also I have never spear fished anywhere but my island Guam

[@angieandersonash5757]

Dan, thanks for taking time to share this content. I listened to you speak at The Blue Wild several years back and love watching your videos. Please keep them coming!

[@danmacmahon3973]

You are very welcome Angie. Glad you're enjoying them. Getting back to work pretty soon but will post through out the summer whenever time allows! Best, Dan

[@daleolds9745]

Dan, love watching a professional that loves he work! Lived in Tampa for 13 years and had multiple spearfishing trips out of Tarpon Spring. Ray Odor was one of my mentors. Live in Destin area now and dang bulls have run me outta the water. Love your vids, keep em coming!

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Dale, that's some great bottom out of Tarpon Springs. Ray and I were friends for 30+ years, his passing was a sad day for the scuba spearfishing world. I know what you mean about the Bull's, they're outta control out here as well. I actually plan my trips trying to avoid them as much as possible. Ugh. Glad you're enjoying the videos! Best, Dan

[@paulneal1290]

Dan, that Hog Sapper looked YOU-GE! I hope you guys got to actually munch on a couple of those Mangos too. I learned at the young age of around 7, why those Mangos are called snappers, and I can't blame em either... but one of those snappin peckerwoods got me right through the finger nail, both sides, and wouldn't let go either, until someone showed up with a filet knife... shoot em up!. ;) Always a pleasure to watch you work sir.

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Paul, when I was a kid, we'd shoot mullet and sheephead, stuff that kids shoot and stuff them into our shorts as we swam along. I shot a mangrove one day and nonchalantly stuffed him in to. Mistake. Big mistake. He did what snappers do, and it was awful to say the least. I won't recount all the details, but there was def screaming and blood. No lasting injury though except to my pride! Good times. Best, Dan

[@paulneal1290]

@@danmacmahon3973 YIIIKES!!! :)

[@wicholee1]

wow, huge haul - looked like you were having a blast, thx for sharing

[@danmacmahon3973]

Capt, yeah after all these years I still enjoy diving the MG. Appreciate you watching and your comments. Best, Dan

[@HumanBodyMaintenance]

Monster mangroves! I love your videos. You are a master commercial Spearo! I'm jealous living in West palm. I cant free shaft with current. I've learned a lot from your vids. Keep contet coming!

[@danmacmahon3973]

SB, thanks ! I've dove quite a bit over there over the years and yeah that Current makes it tough! Appreciate you watching. Best, Dan

[@abelruiz2203]

wow nice hog I wish I could buy it, you have the best videos on KZbin thanks for all of that

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Abel! Really glad you're enjoying the videos! I've had a lot of fun making them and putting them onto youtube! Best, Dan

[@jojofabella1311]

Nice catch sir DAN,, you're so good in shooting those snapper...😁😁

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Jojo! Those Mango's can be a little tricky at times! Glad you liked the video! Best, Dan

[@208miuwu]

Great videos I found your channel. I dive here in Broward County just off Hollywood. Kind of nice when you live on the beach. 99% of my dives are beach 18-24ft. Kicking off the beach is getting harder as I get older. 53 now that swim is no joke to the second reef anymore. Keep the videos coming

[@danmacmahon3973]

Welcome aboard! I've done some Beach dives like that also and always had a blast. Best, Dan

[@arnoldalexander3093]

U r amazing please just be careful down there may God bless u.

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks AA! Glad you like the videos and I appreciate the well wishes. You be safe as well! Best, Dan

[@WillyK51]

Coming up you went trough a cloud of tiny Jelly fish. Lotsa fun. How many times did I with just a T shirt

[@danmacmahon3973]

Hey WK, yeah the price you pay for no suit I guess. They really don't bother me too much. I dislike wearing a suit in the Summer so much I'm willing to put up with it! Best, Dan

[@jdiez4140]

Great videos Dan, Could be interesting if you talk about your equipment and how to have a place in your boat next time you go over there.

[@danmacmahon3973]

JD, I will def do that. Appreciate the idea and some of the suggestions from others. Best, Dan

[@barryjohnson6923]

Great shooting Dan! Ever dove the Timber Holes, or the Trysler Grounds? Those were some great spots in the day

[@danmacmahon3973]

Hey Barry, I don't know those names? Can you give me some more info, location, depth, etc., maybe I just know them under a different name? Thanks for watching, Best, Dan

[@barryjohnson6923]

@@danmacmahon3973 The Timberholes is located off Destin at 3011.051 latitude, 8651.285 longitude, toward Navarre.

[@barryjohnson6923]

@@danmacmahon3973 trysler grounds 18-25 miles off Orange beach The Timberholes is located at 3011.051 latitude, 8651.285 longitude, toward Navarre.

[@gregsmith8032]

Old school rules com cool an accurate great shots!!

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Greg! Really appreciate your comments! Best, Dan

[@Smitty65721]

Nice haul!!!

[@kennytoler6485]

This is one haul id loved to have!! Man ole man

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Kenny! The Middle Grounds is hard to beat! Best, Dan

[@kennethhoffman881]

Dan, where are you out of? I used to work a slow "retired" Navy supply boat out of PCB in the eanly '80s and take 20-22 divers from the Tyndall Dive Flight to the Grounds. We would work the NW corner then hit the Mica on the way back home. Fish fry at the club was always a big deal when we got home. Took my biggest hogfish off the Grounds -- 17# and my largest lobster --14.5#. Live off Ft Lauderdale now and diving sucks. Nice vids.

[@danmacmahon3973]

Ken, I'm based about an hour North of Tampa, but work the entire Florida Gulf Coast (Trailer Boat). The NW MG used to be my favorite also back in the day. Glad you found the channel and appreciate you watching. Best, Dan

[@kennethhoffman881]

​@@danmacmahon3973 I was stationed at MacDill back in mid-80s after being at Tyndall AFB (Panama City). Everyone laughed at me because I had my guns wired with break-away tips. That was SOP in the northern Gulf where we had little ledges and the fish would just run forever. It took me getting a 34# AJ with a poke pole and a 7# grouper without firing a shot -- just grabbed him out of a hole by the gills. Got my PADI OWSI in Crystal River and taught out of a shop on Dale Mabry. Would like to meet you sometime.

[@askip7]

First day in awhile without an upload... I hope you’re out blowing bubbles!

[@danmacmahon3973]

Yes, was gone for a week, leaving again soon. Will post more videos through out the summer as time allows. Best, Dan

[@rmccollamat]

I love spearfishing...new friend here sending hugs and support let's get connected hope to see you in my little house soon

[@richardvila1173]

Dan, the Grim Reaper! Fish beware, he is coming for you!

[@danmacmahon3973]

RV, lol, thanks for the comment, made my day. Best, Dan

[@randypearson8747]

Nice stringer, thanks for sharing

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks for watching!

[@labaurazak7078]

so happy to be able to fish easily.

[@danmacmahon3973]

Hey LR, I love it as well. Thanks for watching, Best, Dan

[@pete5137]

You are awesome.....you should have ean the video a minute longer so i can watch them guys struggle to get your cache up into the boat !

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Peter, I have been including deck footage on more recent videos and will continue to do so in the future! Thanks for watching, Best, Dan

[@stephenmerritt3588]

Great video! Early on you say to never shoot a hog straight across, but to be slightly behind. Why is that?

[@daveobsoleteammo4547]

it is possible for a shaft to blow thru a hog if you are close , and they are so skinny . Slightly behind seldom goes more than maybe 3 inches past the other side .

[@mikeelswick8295]

Always amazed at how quickly you surface from those depths. Maybe that part is edited? Anyways Dan "the man" McMahon is a savage.

[@danmacmahon3973]

FNL yes the ascent id def edited. Thought most would find it boring to watch lengthy periods of off gassing. Thanks for comment and for watching. Best, Dan

[@208miuwu]

You dive deep Brother? Not much bottom time but the rewards are worth it. West Coast FL.

[@danmacmahon3973]

That area runs from 80'-140' or so. Lots of stuff 20'-40' tall. Still my favorite area to dive. Best, Dan

[@brendonblue829]

Heck of a stringer! I like that eel looking for a free lunch on your stringer lol. Do you have an opinion on the difference between free shafting a 54" shaft vs 60"? (Currently using a 100 cm Euro that shoots ~55" shaft but smaller 7mm diameter) I'm on the hunt for a new gun for this summer diving east coast florida and trying to narrow my search.

[@danmacmahon3973]

BB, I really like the 60" shafts. I've shot most lengths over the years but think the 60" is the optimal length for free shafting. I prefer the 7.5 mm diameter shafts. The 7mm are just a little too skinny for my taste and the 8mm (5/16) are too slow and heavy. My .02 ! Best, Dan

[@alexander2oooooo0]

Hey man love the vids !!! Hey where did u find the fish ring at ?

[@danmacmahon3973]

AJ, thanks! We make them out of 72" 9/32 heat treated stainless. Best,Dan

[@gregsmith8032]

Seen the remora no shark ?

[@pandanspearfishingvlog5510]

Nice shot .. .I'm your subricber from Philippines..😊😊... I need spear gun 😭😭.

[@Andersp90]

How thick are the spears? and how long?

[@danmacmahon3973]

Vestjyden, they're 7.5 mm in diameter and 152 cm long. Best, Dan

[@محمدأإلمري-ت5ق]

مجرم دا 😂😂

[@HS-hr5wp]

How big was that hog? Largest one I've seen.

[@danmacmahon3973]

HS, probably 12-14 pounds. They get a lot bigger, especially in deeper water, but that was a good one for the Middle Grounds. Thanks for watching, Best,Dan

[@mbfmmf]

Dan, first thanks for sharing the video. I found your channel a few weeks ago and have been binge watching your videos. I used to live in TB area and did a lot of dives off New Port Richey with some friends. I miss it! I live in NC now and not as close the the water so it’s less dives. I never made it to the Middlegrounds or in deep water like many of your dives. It was normally in 40-70 feet. Deeper in summer of course. The gag grouper don’t seem as ‘skittish’ in your videos as I recall during my dives. Are they less skittish in deeper depths or do you have any tricks on your approach? You always seem to nail them and many of my shots weren’t close end to get an ethical shot. I did get lucky with a few shots and was able to sneak on some.

[@danmacmahon3973]

MB, glad you're enjoying the vid's. That's a great area you used to dive, I also grew up there and know it well. On average, I'd say Gags are less wary in deeper water, probably due to less exposure to divers. But like most things, it varies. I descend slowly and make as little commotion as possible, no jerky fast movements. Coming in fast will almost certainty spook the fish, as will crashing into the bottom, big exhalations of air, large amounts of air being pumped into BC, etc. The trick is once the bottom is within sight, to slow down quietly. When you're falling slow, it gives you more time to set up a good shot on fish that are still moving slowly also. The Gags are trying to decide if you're a threat and you're trying to convince them you're not. Thanks for watching. Best, Dan

[@thebonchapatuly4368]

Mantap bang, sukses slalu..?

[@Grottolova]

Indonesian for: Great, always successful

[@kylerose2157]

Dan, do you sell your spearguns?

[@danmacmahon3973]

Kyle, not at this time. Have discussed selling them with a well known gun manufacturer. Might offer a few for sale in the future...Best, Dan

[@eganmeyar1188]

I wonder if this technique would be possible at night...Have you tried??

[@danmacmahon3973]

Hey Egan, yes, back in the day we used to do quite a bit of night spearing . However, the population explosion of Bull Sharks put a stop to that. The only thing that sucks worse than 3-5 Bulls on a daytime dive is the same sharks on a night dive. No thanks! Thanks for watching, Best, Dan

[@eganmeyar1188]

@@danmacmahon3973 I hear you bud, out here in Palau we are starting to see quite a bit of bulls and tigers in and around the shallow areas we fish at night. DON'T LIKE THEM U KNOW WHAT... Enjoy your channel and content. Thanks for sharing!!

[@bd-me7yp]

Dan, what are you using to retain that second band?

[@danmacmahon3973]

BD, Just a piece of 3/32 flat stainless plate bent into the correct shape. Really easy to make up. I just mount it with one of the kill spike attachment screws. Best, Dan

[@donaldtucker6864]

Why the quartering shot on the hogs?

[@danmacmahon3973]

DT, it helps ensure the fish can't swim off the free shaft. If shooting directly across the fish, the shaft has a greater chance (less meat thickness) of blowing completely through . Best, Dan

[@tomdowney37215]

Good dive Cap

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Tom!

[@johnnorris9357]

What spear gun r u using in this vid?

[@danmacmahon3973]

John, it's a home made gun that we make ourselves. Roughly based on an older Sea Hornet but using better quality parts and tighter tolerances. Neptonics Reverse Trigger and RA spears for instance. Best, Dan

[@RippedRobby]

Man what a spot! Nice structure

[@danmacmahon3973]

RR, thanks. the Florida Middle Grounds should def be on every Scuba Shooters wish list. Amazing place. Best, Dan

[@RippedRobby]

@@danmacmahon3973 I've only fished it! Crazy to see what it looks like down there. Like a whole new world. Awesome videos man!

[@braylonemanuel925]

You prolly dont give a shit but if you're stoned like me during the covid times then you can stream pretty much all the latest movies on InstaFlixxer. Have been streaming with my brother lately xD

[@diegoidris6738]

@Braylon Emanuel yea, I have been using instaflixxer for years myself :)

[@alejandronelson8768]

@Braylon Emanuel Yup, I have been watching on instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@altrout2612]

When is the fish fry I'm hungry. Nice mess of fish

[@danmacmahon3973]

Hey Al, funny you said that, I was editing one of the more recent videos and suddenly had a craving for a fried Grouper sandwich. I ended up having Spaghetti since I didn't have any fish in the freezer, it was good but it sure wasn't a Grouper Sandwich! Best, Dan

[@johnnorris9357]

What's name spear gun you use?

[@danmacmahon3973]

John. it's a home made gun we make ourselves. Roughly based on an older Sea Hornet using better materials and parts. Neptonics triggers, RA spears, etc. Best, Dan

[@mikehauw679]

owesome method, now am customizing my gun like yours, cheers from Jakarta

[@HumanBodyMaintenance]

how deep was this dive 80-120?

[@danmacmahon3973]

SB, that's spot on. Def in the 80-120 range. Best, Dan

[@CaptainBadChad]

Badass man. Awesome haul on that dive. If it's possible in future videos, id love to see a short clip of the fish floating up silhouetted in front of the sun after u let them go, some times u do capture it but I always want more lol. Also, some pictures of the fish on the filet table or w u guys holding them would be awesome so we can see just how big they really are. Totally subbed. Check my channel out. Thanks!

[@danmacmahon3973]

BC, I will def do that with future videos, great suggestion! Thanks, Dan

[@CaptainBadChad]

🤘🚣‍♂️🏹🐟

[@juanjoseruiz6255]

Una pesca cobarde y criminal,totalmente antideportiva,deberian de meterlo en la carcel y que no pesque mas con aire

[@jamesallbright3170]

What gun do you use?

[@danmacmahon3973]

JA, they're a custom design we make ourselves. Loosely based on early Sea Hornet/Biller guns. Just with improved parts and some custom pieces. I only use Neptonics Reverse Triggers. Best, Dan

[@jamesallbright3170]

@@danmacmahon3973 are you guys interested in making any for sale?

[@daccaceres2140]

James Allbright interested in buying one

[@jamesallbright3170]

@@daccaceres2140 yeah, i currently use a koah and a seahawk from italy but i like the loading of yours

[@lexxyrich8998]

Love it but needed a better look at his catch

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks LR, I'm def going to do more of that in future dives. Best, Dan

[@barcrusher]

There’s no way we could use that technique here in Australia as the sharks would be there in no time with the speared fish sitting on the bottom .Also it’s illegal to spear here if your not free driving.Looks like a walk in the park session.Quick way to get a good feed of fish.

[@danmacmahon3973]

Permitted commercial spear fisherman working 100 or more miles off shore. If you ever had the skills to dive in 250' or more, I doubt afterwards you'd think it was a walk in the park.

[@barcrusher]

Dan MacMahon from watching the video these was no indication that you were diving in 250 ft so if that’s the case hats off to you.

[@jorgemunoz-bf2jp]

I loved u so good

[@danmacmahon3973]

Thanks Jorge. Best, Dan

[@gregsmith8032]

Need a micro mini just to kill them lionfish an leave em for the reef fish to chow on

[@danmacmahon3973]

Hey Greg, I know it. We do kill quite a few of them in shallower water, but it's just not practical in the deeper stuff. I enjoy taking them out when I can. Best, Dan

[@rafwhy9888]

lets see the catch out of the water please

[@jaketaylor5754]

Im a noob. Why does it sound like you're breathing?

[@danmacmahon3973]

Jake, Not sure what you mean? Open Circuit gear so you can def hear inhale and exhale. Best, Dan

[@daveobsoleteammo4547]

He is wearing scuba gear , and uses a special mix of gases in his tanks in order to dive down deeper than those who use snorkels to go after fish . He also travels out off-shore more than 100 miles to get to the fish he wants to collect , and again those who use snorkels won't go there .

[@jaketaylor5754]

@@daveobsoleteammo4547 I was a noob watching Ryan Myers videos. He dives 2mins+ on one breath. Wasn't used to hearing th breathing sound.

[@yomismo7246]

Eso no es pesca submarina, va con aire, eso es ser un depredador.

[@Redrumintl]

Beasssttt

[@danmacmahon3973]

RRI, thanks! Best, Dan

[@alexandresena8959]

Com cilindro ta facil quero ver so no peito isso nunca foi pesca sub

[@Hiburanmato]

Mudahan yang nembak ikannya dilahap ikan hiu, merusak pelestarian kerang

[@JulioCesar-dg8kk]

Covardia!!

[@danmacmahon3973]

yawn.....

[@Ross-ts2kk]

4:30 in fish eyes... this looks cruel dude

[@altrout2612]

That's how they go on the hook. Get a life dude

[@elliot131000]

viandard ? , predator,?, comment décrire ce massacre totalement interdit en Europe...écoeurant

[@danmacmahon3973]

No, permitted commercial spear fisherman. I do this for a living. Best, Dan