Hello 

In the picture below there is about 8 Black Grouper in an aggregation.  What this picture does not show is that there was another 15 or 20 grouper within my view and near this group.   This happen on April 24, 2005 about 3 pm (about two days after the full moon).

This picture in my opinion is a poor representation of all the activity that I saw.  Because of the large number of Black Grouper that I saw from amidships of the Spiegel to the stern.  There was least 40 to 50 ( 20lb +) Grouper on the back half of the Spiegel. 

I did not approach too close because I didn't want to disturb the natural activity that was occurring and because to the depth.  I stayed at about 80 ft while most of the activity was 100 ft and below.  They were staying fairly close to the bottom.  There were a lot of small groups of 3 and 4's in various place.  Also, I think an important factor for the time of this activity is the fact that April 24, was a few days after the Full Moon..  The visibility at the stern was poor.  Low visibility greenish water seemed to be moving in on an outgoing tide. 

I have logged about 25 dives on the Spiegel and have never seen the Groupers this thick...

Glenn Patton 305-451-4891    Feel free to call if you have any questions....