In Reply to: Re: Re: Freediving question posted by Elaine on November 26, 2005 at 09:09:33:

I've had varied luck with the species you mention, depending on the individual. Some calicos are outta there pretty quickly, whereas you run into the occasional docile soul. Here was one that modeled for me while freediving a while back:

This one was in a preserve and unusually laidback. As for garibaldis, I've found they vary a lot from one to the next -- some running in panic, others sticking like glue (particularly when guarding a nest). I don't think I've never gotten close enough to a blacksmith to get a good macro shot on either scuba or freediving.

About snorkels, my freediving friends are fairly evenly split between liking (a) the simplest J-tube they can find, and (b) one with a purge for choppier water -- Impulse II is fairly popular, and I have a newer Riffe snorkel w/ purge. But on scuba (like you, it sounds) the only time I have a snorkel along is a folding model in my pocket when headed for Laguna Beach.