I've got an overnight spearfishing trip later this spring on the Vermillion, out of N. Myrtle Beach, SC.

Has anyone shot on this wreck?

In a bigger sense- tips for shooting on wrecks? I almost always shoot natural bottom, and I don't know what to expect on a big wreck, except that I"ll be hooking my line back up on my gun and bringing a big light.

Many, many times.

Last April, we were there and saw literally hundreds of scamps all over it. It's a 400+ foot ship that's washed out to 140'+ at the very bottom, and the very top is @ 75' down.

Advice, find another dive charter. No need to go on an overnighter to a wreck that's 34 +/- miles from the inlet. Plus, there's tons of good live bottom around there.

Oh, and I'd stick to line shafting. Mid summer it's a good place to see african pompanos too.

Okay- well, it is a total of 6 drops- on the Vermillion and some other stuff in that area too. I didn't realize it was that close in. I'll post up when I know more about what we'll be dropping on.

The charter sounds pretty cool though- a 90' headboat that will be taking just 10 divers- and the price was right too.

Scamp, eh? Don't I need to be on Trimix and at 400', or is that for just the 4# and under?

This was a couple years ago in spring time...maybe a mile or so from the Vermillion.

Is that what you meant by 4# scamp?

:)

Shoe, that is a nice fish. Nice looking zip tie on the bug too.

Heh, no, the scamp reference was something else.

NICE SCAMP! NICE BUG! I'm getting pumped for it now.

We were there 4/26 last year, did several drops and saw a TON of scamps.

3 days later none. I suppose that's just the way it goes out there.

Anyway, it's still a pretty cool wreck. Lots of sheer straight up/down sides - keep your eyes on the growth for movement, we've found bunches of slippers on it before.

Okay- well, it is a total of 6 drops- on the Vermillion and some other stuff in that area too. I didn't realize it was that close in. I'll post up when I know more about what we'll be dropping on.

The charter sounds pretty cool though- a 90' headboat that will be taking just 10 divers- and the price was right too.

Scamp, eh? Don't I need to be on Trimix and at 400', or is that for just the 4# and under?

I think it was reference to my avatar.:rofl:

That is a pretty neat sounding trip. Is that trip with coastal scuba? I don't think I would want to be shooting at night though, I know I would not shoot it at night after 2 other dives on the wreck. But maybe I am just a whimp. You should really try and go out to the hebe too if you get a chance.

A dive shop up here is organizing it, but yes, I think the boat is Coastal Scuba.

Another scamp from that wreck.

Don't know about an overnighter on it. I hope they are going to move around for you. If not, going to be tough shooting. They scatter pretty good.

It's a sweet wreck. Yes it does get big scamps and african pompano on it too, I've only dove it once and can attest to shooting both. There will probably be some gags right in the beginning of the dive before the army of divers scares the shit out of them. If I was you, I'd be the first diver in line to jump off the boat and speed loading that gun on the way down while swimming as fast as you can on the way down. When those other divers get there, the spearing is going to start to suck real fast.

Hey locals: Whats the name of that big ole' wreck that sits upsidedown with the big swim-through in the middle. Inside the wreck opens up like a dome stadium, it's a massive dark area. On the outside of the wreck there is a large culvert field at one end, and on the other side of the ship there are a few scattered culverts midship. Whatever it's name is, that wreck is the JAM!!!

AR 465 Gary Ennis reef ,the ship Mance Lasssiter.

Another monster scamp- wow.

Re: first to drop in- good idea; I'll try. I hear it's a really big wreck. Do you agree to line-shaft as well?

The guy at the dive shop says he uses a little gun on this wreck- a 24".. seems like you're limiting yourself.

toecheese,guy is a goon.Lineshaft a 48,54 or 60 if you are interested in the jacks,cobia and APs.Freeshaft for the gags,scamp and snapper.
Hint,most of the fish will be on the deck or in the washouts bow and stern but that is 40' deeper.

The V is sitting on a ledge. swim all the way forward and drop along the hull on the port side. You will see a hole going through the hull of the ship to the starboard side right before the hull ends. (short distance). Go through and peak down, you will be looking at the area where the ledge meets the wreck right at the bow. Several big gags hang out there. Wait for the sand tigers to clear out enough to drop in for a shot or stir up sediment in the hull with your hand to get the gags curious to come to you.
Definitely use a line gun. That wreck is huge. Good luck

Some big lobsters and good shooting on the subway cars near the vermillion also. Big pompano.

DAMN! Those are some dark dark dark fish up there...

Im really weighing my options of going to Charleston AFB in the future. looks like some great diving.

Use a line gun. They will head for the wreck pretty quick if you don't get a stone shot.

Have seen Mallen and Gumshoe come back to the boat with no shafts while freeshafting AP's. They did say that the fish were swimming cock eyed as the shafts were being carried off. :slap:

Some big lobsters and good shooting on the subway cars near the vermillion also. Big pompano.

That is a dive that I must make again before I die. I blistered the fish on the cars, but just diving on them made it great. Shooting into a subway car window to stone a scamp, then shooting out the subway car door to stone a gag outside, hiding ontop of the cars, etc. I really enjoyed that one...

Nice Scamp,...wreck dive advice,...try not to to touch anything, wear a skin of some sort or you will be itching your ass off.

Got some more info on it:


Our vessel is the 90 foot Pride of The Carolina's. We depart out of Little River, South Carolina. Divers will have the opportunity to make up to seven dives over the weekend, including a night dive on Saturday. Divers are responsible for their own profiles. Dive sites will include the Vermillion, Ledges, and BP25. The dive sites are excellent for Spearfishing.

We recommend divers use Nitrox for this trip.