All geared up we were in the water within 35 minutes of leaving the outpost to catch what we hope to be the first of our big bug limit for the day. A drift dive a cross Steve’s Twin Ledges landed us on the first of our lobster sightings, then another drift dive over Horseshoe Ledges did indeed put us on the bugs!

"Captain Chiefy" a retired Broward County fire chief and our personal lobster guide for the day, spots the camouflaged crustaceans tentacles waving along with the current and poking out high above the coral ledge.

Chiefy signals for the group to gather, cues the cameraman Curt Bowen, from Advanced Diver Magazine, and skillfully Chiefy moves into action. Demonstrating his polished technique, Chiefy slides the tickle stick into the hole, tapping on the tail of the tenacious creature, swiping and taunting and tickling at its toes. The lobster clearly disturbed by the intrusion scoots far back into its dark coral hideaway. Not giving up easily, the lobster moves to hold its grounds. It shifts and shuffles and scoots back into the tiny coral cave as Chiefy taps and probes deeper into the hole with his tickle stick. After a short skirmish, Chiefy masterfully herds the lobster out from its enclosed grotto. It’s out and onto the open ocean floor, we get our first look at the mighty crustacean and it’s indeed a big one! Swiftly Chiefy shifts his position to stay over top of the agile creature as it perks up high on its tiptoes, swiping its tentacles at us, scurrying in all directions, warning us to stay clear and surely devising its plan of escape. But captain Chiefy masterfully usher the brute into his awaiting net hoping that this beauty, a 3 1/4 pounder just might take the prize for this year’s biggest bug or maybe even take center stage at the mouth-watering Lobster Chef Competition or at the very least Chiefy can take home bragging rights for the days catch.

We thoroughly enjoyed or days aboard the Sea View with Captain Jeff, Dive Master Dave Heaney, Jim Mayhiw, Captain John See, and Brandon Whitworth, diving the many shipwrecks, The Sea Emperor and Aqua Zoo, The United Caribbean, The Ancient Mariner, and The US Copenhagen, and diving a multitude of off shore coral reefs with the attentive crew.   

Jeff took us to the magnificent Hillsboro Lighthouse at Hillsboro Inlet in Pompano Beach; we were given a privet tour by Arthur A. Makenian, President and light keeper of The Big Diamond, “That’s what we call her” says Arthur “The name comes from the shape of the glass on the outside of the lantern room. Each piece of glass is in the shape of a diamond”. “She’s the most powerful light in the entire world” he converses to us as his chest boastfully puffs.

We then shuffled off where we played along the inlet beach beneath the majestic lighthouse. Jeff broke out the latest sport to hit the water, “Flyboarding” courtesy of Flyboards South Florida. Wow! What a rush this was! An exuberant fun, fun, fun, did I say fun, experience! A must try for the active individual or someone just looking for the new and the different. It’s an energy lifting skill that is learned in mid air!

Jeff later took us across the bay on a much slower paced pontoon boat, to the historic and now recognized national landmark, Cap’s Place Island Restaurant, where we had a spectacular dinner and enjoyed the old stories how Bugsy Malone and Al Capone used Cap’s as their hangout during the prohibition days. Not a boards been changed in this island beach shanty since it was frequented by FDR and Churchill during World War II and was a favorite of Jack Kennedy, now sought out by TV celebrities, Cap’s is Broward County, Florida’s oldest restaurant.

The Lobster Chef Competition isn’t quite in the same class of a dining experience as Cap’s Place is, but what an impressive competition BugFest lobster cook-off “2014” is turning out to be. The meals are almost plated with mere seconds left on the clock. A true showdown it is. The seats are filled with eagerly awaiting spectators. Who will take home this year’s trophy and take away bragging rights for this year as the “Top Lobster Chef”?

Seconds fly off the clock. “Come on” shouts one team, “we got this”.  “Plate it, plate it, get it on the plate” shouts another! The buzzer sounds-off the final hail. All teams throw their hands into the air finishing with no time to spare.

One team after the other proudly and confidently carry their creations to the judges for a hopeful victory. Immediately the judges begin the tasty task of sampling the one serving morsels. Anticipation builds and a winner is declared. A Lobster sandwich, a Maine classic takes the cake! The winning team “By-The-Sea Realty” now holds the “2014” title for Top Lobster Chef. A grilling competition indeed!   

Our next day’s adventure takes us to a South Florida Wreck Dive Site that was given the nick name Aqua Zoo due to the piles of culvert pipes that slid over the edge of the United Caribbean as the old girl went down. There is a diverse amount of marine life that inhabits this wreck including large southern rays, goliath grouper, nurse sharks, eels, and hundreds of other marine life species. The United Caribbean – a Deerfield Beach Wreck Dive Site, is a steel cargo ship. It is 147 ft long. The bow points to the SE Off the stern.  Lime rock boulders were placed in a line leading divers to and from the wreck of the Sea Emperor 250 to the NE. The United Caribbean is just one of the wrecks in the wreck triangle because of its close proximity between the two other wrecks and a reef. This wreck triangle has populated very quickly with an immense quantity of marine life. 

There is certainly no shortage of fine culinary cuisine in this town with taste. We dined at many of the local favorites and hot spots including The Village Grille, featuring some of the freshest seafood and juiciest steaks on the strip. 101 Ocean, they're operating a class act at this casual but classy restaurant. You will enjoy an excellent menu and a large outdoor bar. Shooters Water Front, Ft Lauderdale’s most popular waterfront dining establishment offers a fresh tantalizing menu; you can relax and sink yourself into a first class experience while enjoying a scenic Sunday Brunch that overlooks the chic outdoor waterside lounge, with 340 feet of dockage.