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Ron Rice is a captain for the local sheriff's office in Taylor county, the county seat for Dark Island. We originally brought him along to protect us from pirates. We soon learned that he is an excellent boat captain. He handles the 34 foot contender like it was a canoe. He has also proven to be a skilled angler specializing in yanking up big grouper. Ron's biggest love is putting on his wetsuit and stalking fish with his spear gun. His only downside... you'll notice that he never smiles for the camera?
Here is his story:
The outdoors have always been an escape where I can get away from it all. Listening to the woods wake up as the sun rises and that turkey gobbles for the time, watching the sunset while offshore on the Gulf with fresh fish on the grill or just trolling all day while listening to a game on the radio, that’s what makes the outdoors great. Life gets so crazy sometimes and it’s good to have a group of close friends to enjoy these things with.
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I really like to go trolling for grouper while watching the bottom machine for that new rock or ledge. It’s like hunting Easter Eggs. When you find a good spot you put on your scuba gear to check it out. I’ll take down a box of Mackerel or Sardines and get on the rock and put it out for chum. Victory comes when you’re looking down the shaft of your spear gun at that 25 pound Gag Grouper that comes in to feed. I’d have to say my best moment with a spear gun was when I shot a 20.7 pound Hogfish in the Florida Middle Grounds. Gonna be hard to top that one.
I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy diving in a lot of different places in both fresh and saltwater in North and South America. I believe the best diving is to be had in my home territory in the Big Bend Area of North Florida. From the abundant springs of the Suwannee River basin to the saltwater of the Apalachee Bay. Once you’ve seen a spring it’s the same every time you go. That’s why I prefer saltwater diving. Even though the structure is the same every time you dive it the marine life on it changes almost every time. Factor in that I love hunting and fishing and spear fishing is the sport of hunting fish, you can see why I love it so much.
