I Was UNDERGUNNED for the BIGGEST MUDSHARK I've Ever Seen...

On this trip we pushed far offshore deep into the Gulf, targeting remote structure and hard bottom that rarely sees divers. What started as a straightforward offshore spearfishing trip quickly turned into one of the most intense and humbling days we have had in a long time.

We spent the day checking secluded offshore numbers with Captain Tanner, dropping on isolated ledges, wrecks, and vertical structure in the Gulf, diving anywhere from 60 feet to well over 80 feet depending on current direction, visibility, bait presence, and fish activity. Our goal was for Justin to land his first African pompano on a speargun, while I wanted to try to land my first cobia with a spear. Tanner brought us to several of his proven fishing numbers so we could visually confirm bottom composition, relief height, bait density, and how fish were staging on the structure. Scouting new bottom like this helps bridge the gap between sonar marks and what the structure actually looks like underwater.

What I was not expecting was to come across the biggest cobia I have ever seen in the water......

Special thanks to Captain Tanner for having us out. If you want a opportunity to target African pompano, cobia, snapper, and grouper in the Gulf, reach out to Reel Deal Fishing Co to set up a charter. We had a great day with Tanner and his mate Donovan and would highly recommend them! You can contact Tanner at (239) 821-3222, visit www.reeldealcharterswfl.com
, or connect through Instagram below.

Find us on Instagram
Derek Van Hook / @derek_van_hook
Jack Mitchell / @captain_jack_spearo
Justin Van Hook / @Justin_Van_Hook
Tanner Ison / @Capt.Tannerison

Check out our production company, Van Hook Media: www.vanhookmedia.com , We specialize in on water, underwater, and aerial content creation in the Florida Keys and beyond.
And above all else, dive safe.

Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:46 Why the Gulf Is Special for Spearfishing
1:57 First Dives, Hogfish and Mangroves
4:35 African Pompano Everywhere
6:41 Justins First African Pompano
11:22 Jack’s Chance on a Cobia
14:50 My First Cobia, Or So I Thought
17:12 One Last Chance...