I don't dive, I just buy scuba gear for my 17 year old who does, he's been diving since he was 12, and is certified as a rescue diver, dam that stuff is expensive
I used to dive in Lake Pontchartrain and will probably do some more. Water clarity is horrible but on a very good day I would be ecstatic to have 4 - 5 ft. of Vis. No tanks as the deepest we go is 14 ft. at the bridges where we spear Sheepshead, Redfish, Flounder and sometimes garfish. On the west side of the lake we dive the cypress stumps and shoot nice catfish hiding under the stumps. Conditions have to be perfect. Have not tried offshore yet although I have had some good opportunities to do so.
I dive off of North Carolina and the Keys. We haven't been in a couple of years because my wife is back in school getting her Nurse Practioner. Next summer though we'll be back at it!