Lineater
Howdy everyone,
I want to dive Lineater but can't find a lot of recent info about it; seems the cave is not as popular as some other NFL destinations. What is the easiest way to get into the cave if you don't have a boat and what conditions should I expect in general?
Thank you!
You'll need a boat for sure, otherwise you are trespassing.Originally Posted by mr_v
You will find high flow, and visibility of a river cave- don't expect Ginnie or Peacock. Carry lots of gap reels, because it is not uncommon for sections of line that are missing or under mounds of silt/sand.
"Not all change is improvement...but all improvement is change" Donald Berwick
Thank you. If it requires a boat, I'll have to get a new idea.
Get a boat. There is more cave than you can imagine if you have a boat. It doesn't have to be anything expensive. You can get a Jon boat or Ganoe with a small outboard for very little. There is so much more than Ginnie, Peacock, LR, Madison ....etc.
"Not all change is improvement...but all improvement is change" Donald Berwick
Well, someone upstairs heard me today - my friend is getting a fishing boat. Does anyone have examples of boat outfitting for diving? We'll be complete noobs and need to know all the basics, e.g., how do you keep the boat from floating away while you're diving, acceptable loads, gear arrangement.
Sorry for a possibly very stupid question: Is it possible to arrange on-land access with the land owner? I am okay with paying $$$ if it means easier dive logistics.
Good news there isn't a PADI specialty for this, since it is easy. Most caves are in shallow rivers, and you just tie off to a tree near the site. Sidemount is the easiest configuration, but backmount is doable. Make sure to place gear to balance the trim of the boat, and carry a few spares, that way if something doesn't work you dont have a boat ride back to fix it. Lock you trailer to the vehicle, for some reason trailers get stolen at boat ramps.
"Not all change is improvement...but all improvement is change" Donald Berwick
Perfect. I presume tying to a tree is legal, right? Finally - alligators. How do you deal with them? I am not too familiar with FL wildlife laws concerning gator preservation, but I presume you stay away with self defense becoming a totally legal option if that's what you have to do.
Lineater
Alligators avoid people unless someone has been feeding them or near a nest
Do not feed and stay away if you see a nest. Mama gators are very protective
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roadkill
I have never had a problem with tying off to a tree, but I usually pick one close to the shoreline. I also have a very long line I scope out. Something worth doing is trying to position the boat parallel to shore line, and maybe use a bow and stern line in high traffic areas. Sometimes you will get a boat traveling fast and creating a wake which can throw your spare gear everywhere. LeeAnn was spot on about gators. They are chicken of the sea unless you got momma with babies. I had one rare encounter where I got the snout knocked out of me by the tail,but it was trying to flee because I surprised a gator I didn't see. That was a lottery ticket event for sure.
It is worthwhile when you do attempt some river caves try to get an orientation from someone that has been there. River caves can have twisted #18 ,which can be fragile, and sometimes Ts aren't marked very well. Don't expect user friendly Ginnie and Peacock lines, but don't be afraid, just navigate slowly.
"Not all change is improvement...but all improvement is change" Donald Berwick
In Lineater expect two or three lines all tangled into one another all running in the same direction.
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