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Ben Bateman is a new comer to the group. But by no means is he a newbie. This guy has a knack about him. His is part fish and part man. I have never seen someone so skilled with a spear gun. He has done it all: charter captain, underwater camera man, Commercial diver, all around good guy. Ben lives on the water more than on land. He is truly a salty dog. Watch this guy, he is going places!
Here is his story:
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I have the Florida Middle Grounds in my Blood. In the center of my humanity a monster lays in wait. When the forecast reads “Northwest winds around 5 knots becoming east overnight. Seas 2 feet. Winds becoming variable.” a stirring begins and the leviathan has to be fed. Telling people that I have a passion in my heart to go diving doesn’t sound bad. The real problem is when you say “I’m going to spend the weekend 87 nautical miles offshore slaughtering fish.” Those who do not share this same passion can not relate and often give me an odd look or nervous laugh. I will frequently get carried away by my thoughts and keep speaking which can turn into almost a mumble. “It’s going to be a slaughter…” My eyes light up and then blur into a thousand yard stare, “oh the killing…”
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In my minds eye I’m envisioning every cooler packed nice and neat with stacks of properly gutted reef fish. I can see the beginning, the preparation, the hunt, the perfectly executed dive plan, and the safe return to the dock. I love every part of the trip. I enjoy preparing almost as much as I enjoy the hunting. This only gets done because I know that you are only as successful as you prepare to be.
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My recent introduction to the Dark Island Team has been nothing short of an adventure. These guys love to head offshore to fish and dive. After just a few trips out with them it was apparent that we all shared this same obsession. The only thing I enjoy more than shooting fish is shooting video while I shoot fish!
