The 48th Southern Open went off without many hitches. The typical little stuff that crops up at every large tournament showed up, but the great crew of volunteers solved any problem and then moved on.

FSDA V.Pres, Teresa Hattaway and FSDA Secretary, Dean Karikas did a great job being co-Master of Ceremonies.

TBSC volunteers Ed Roberts (Dive Buds), Spangler, VanDeman and the others put up all the Banners (and remembered to get them all down and back to the dive shop. They also ran a great Registration, in concert with the SEA BUNNIES, Pat Fredette, Peggy and the other girls.

SEALS, David Shelton and Skip Long arrived bright and early and with some of their club brothers they got the prizes moved to Gators and ran the FRA Hatch Speargun. THANKS TO HATCH AND THE FSDA for donating the gun. We raised almost $960 for the FSDA/FRA Fund. This is part of the $6,000 that the FSDA gives the FRA to help with their operating expenses.

The FLORIDA FREESHAFTERS, led by Childress, Steve, AJ and the others worked very well with the SPUC members, led by Club Prez. Scott Lucas and SPUC Secretary Bryan Anderson to run and direct a, smooth as silk, weighin. Big thanks to John Smith of TBSC for his computer work on both the registration and weighin.

The HOGS, led by Warren Hunt and his buddies, had a bundle of different duties and they did a great job, as well.

THE SALTY SEA WENCHES....what can I say....Leanne (Lu Lu), Kate, Morgan, Megan, Cindy and Jenn sold tickets at the Kickoff party, at the event and they ran the Dive Care Military Wounded t-shirt booths and raffles. They also ran the WHOLE Photo contest and did an awesome job on all the extra duties they accomplished.

Last but certainly not least, the GULFCOAST UNDERWATER HUNTERS, led by Christie, Malea, Teresa and their great club members worked hard on every day of the tournament events to sell and distribute Tournament and Sponsor shirts.


Basically, great job all the clubs of the FSDA for volunteering to work so hard (for free) to support diving charities and community charities, while having a fun spear and photo tournament.
I am very proud of all of you and all your efforts!

Capt. Bill

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Aquatic Obsessions Dive Shopwww.AOdive.com
Tampa Bay Spearfishing Club www.tampabayspearfishingclub.org
St. Pete Underwater Club www.stpeteopen.com

Well done everyone, wish I could've stayed longer.

I'd like to thank the following for assisting with the SPUC weigh-in responsibilities: SPUC Pres. Scott Lucas, SPUC VP, Bob Dyer, Ray Bourque, John Phillipoff, and Charlie Barnes.

I cannot leave out a big thank you to Scott Childress and the rest of the FF crew, thank you.

Great job Bill,Teresa,Dean and the entire FSDA crew for another great event. Gators is always a great venue. Thanks to all the volunteers for making everything run smooth.

Had Strout Senior and Little Strout on the boat for the first time and it was fun diving with them as the whole family knows how to kill fish. We struggled to find keeper grouper inside 100' but did manage to pull a decent cubera. Thanks to Stuart for updating the Kudana with the new handle so I could put this one in the boat.My girls want to put the snapper trophy in their rooms as they thougth it was awesome.

Looks like buying all those raffle tickets over the years paid off with a new Hatch gun so a big "Thank you " to Mike for the FRA donation.

See everyone again next year!

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Damn, I guess the tournament weighmaster gets a "rest of the FF crew" mention. Maybe hoisting a couple tons of fish on 8 hours sleep the prior two nights, and screaming your throat ragged as if I was the lead singer in a death metal band is not worthy enough of being named .

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This post has been rated R for graphic fish violence, strong language, crude humor, and pervasive gunnel hunching.

so who won what.

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www.vestalwatch.com
www.theshadowconspiracy.com
professional internet spearo

You're funny AJ I would've named personal credits had I been there long enough to see who pulled the FF weight, at least we can agree that it wasn't Pat

Armando's 40 lb.black grouper that he shot Saturday. It was the only carbo we shot. I believe that this was the second largest grouper weighed in.

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Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.
Mark Twain

since when does aj smile.

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www.vestalwatch.com
www.theshadowconspiracy.com
professional internet spearo

Wish I could have made it!

I left Saturday and drove to Athens, GA to drop my nephew off at UGA, turned around and drove right back. I had a lot of time on 129 and 75 South just wishin' I was on the water!

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Capt. Sean Patterson

Members and non-members only...

"Last but certainly not least, the GULFCOAST UNDERWATER HUNTERS, led by Christie, Malea, Teresa and their great club members worked hard on every day of the tournament events to sell and ..."


I'm sure the Gulf Coast Underwater Hunters was meant to be bold... (wink)
Thank you to the girls of GCUH and some of the men... they brought in awesome prizes for the table! Teresa (owner of Jim's Dive Shop, and spearfisherwoman extrodinaire) out did herself, again. Not only finding most of the sponsors, but being a sponsor herself, and picking up further responsibilities as MC (wish I could've seen that!). Special Kudos to her! Thank you KRISTIE and MILEA (sp?) For all of your efforts in bringing in huge sponsors as well!

Congrats all and thank you to those that went the extra mile and made the 48th Southern Open what it was.

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If you think you need a trophy that bad... buy a kid's meal at Mc Donalds.

The tournament was a blast as always! Thanks everyone for your hard work.

-Chris

Chris what do you think about the Tiki Trophies?

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Aquatic Obsessions Dive Shopwww.AOdive.com
Tampa Bay Spearfishing Club www.tampabayspearfishingclub.org
St. Pete Underwater Club www.stpeteopen.com

Love them! Besides the minor splinter hazard they are sweet.

I am thinking they will look really cool outside at the family beachhouse!

-Chris

You FSU boys will sleep with anything!!

I came in last and got a $200.00 credit at Jim's Dive Shop!!!! THANK YOU Theresa and JBL!!!!!

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No Retreat. No Surrender.