Temps?

[BottomDweller]

I'll be on my first trip to Bull Shoals the weekend of the 11th/12th. Will I be good in my 3mm suit, maybe with 3 mil hooded vest for the depths, or should I take my 7 mil? I'm assuming my 3 mil will be fine?

[theskull]

I'll be on my first trip to Bull Shoals the weekend of the 11th/12th. Will I be good in my 3mm suit, maybe with 3 mil hooded vest for the depths, or should I take my 7 mil? I'm assuming my 3 mil will be fine?

Take both. The 3 mm should be good for shallow dives above the thermocline, but you will want the 7 mm for dives deeper than 30 ft.

At least that's true for us "mortals" who don't live in Nebraska. ;)

theskull

[BottomDweller]

Thanks, theskull. Here in Nebraska, I like my 7 mil for anything below about 14 feet right now, depending on the body of water. I assume it's in the upper 50's or so below the 'cline in Bull Shoals these days?

[theskull]

More like lower 50s. Bull Shoals is a cold lake below the thermocline. It is a beautiful lake, though, with a great many excellent dive sites., and vis is typically very good, especially below the thermocline.

Take a lift bag; you're likely to find some anchors.

theskull

[BottomDweller]

Thanks again! I'll take both suits and my 3mm hooded vest.

Some of our shop's divers were there a few weeks ago and said vis is around 35-40 feet. I'm looking forward to that, for sure.

[BottomDweller]

Just back home today and the trip was GREAT! Water temps above the thermocline were around 82-84 degrees; very, very warm. It got noticeably colder around 25 feet, and around 28 feet a warmer-than-3mm-suit was definitely desirable.

Most of the divers in our group were fairly new to diving (I was certifying a new diver over the two days we were there), so we anchored in places where there was plenty of slope with the option of some deeper "wall" dives, too.

A few of us did get in a nice deeper dive, though. My max depth was 121 on that dive. It was in an underwater forest of dead trees, with vis around 40-50 feet or so. Water temp was 57, so pretty comfortable.

I did indeed find an anchor, but it was only a 10-pounder, so I got it to the boat without the use of a lift bag. In another area, people in our group found: a $10 bill, a $5 bill, a mask and snorkel, a brand new bass lure, and a usable pair of nice sunglasses.

[theskull]

Just back home today and the trip was GREAT! Water temps above the thermocline were around 82-84 degrees; very, very warm. It got noticeably colder around 25 feet, and around 28 feet a warmer-than-3mm-suit was definitely desirable.

Most of the divers in our group were fairly new to diving (I was certifying a new diver over the two days we were there), so we anchored in places where there was plenty of slope with the option of some deeper "wall" dives, too.

A few of us did get in a nice deeper dive, though. My max depth was 121 on that dive. It was in an underwater forest of dead trees, with vis around 40-50 feet or so. Water temp was 57, so pretty comfortable.

I did indeed find an anchor, but it was only a 10-pounder, so I got it to the boat without the use of a lift bag. In another area, people in our group found: a $10 bill, a $5 bill, a mask and snorkel, a brand new bass lure, and a usable pair of nice sunglasses.

Excellent!! I love the combination of very warm shallow water with chilly-but-not-frigid deep water. Also love the underwater forests and swimming through the trees! And y'all found some good dive booty, too.

theskull