This has been something Trey Stickland, Jeep, and I have been talking about doing for a number of years, just having a good ol friendly competition amongst us friends with just using a polespear. Grauwer got in on the deal and about two months ago we set the date for the "polespear competition" for January 17th. Now as time has drawn closer Grauwer and I have been talking about making the competition open to everyone and this where we're at today. Yes it's short notice but it's winter and we all deal with short notices to dive this time of year anyways. If the weather window opens and it's a go on the 17th and you still can't make it then hopefully we'll see ya next year.

What is this you ask? It is a Calcutta-style competition designed for the spearfishermen who wishes to expand upon his or her spearfishing skills by challenging themselves to use and learn a more traditional spearfishing tool, the polespear.

The format is simple:

The following species are eligible for the competition as follows:

Grouper
Snapper
Hogfish
Sheepshead
Triggerfish
Spadefish
Sea Bass
Jack Crevalle
Flounder
Black Drum
Grunt
Cobia
Cuda
Amberjack
Almaco Jack
Mackeral (King and Spanish)
Wahoo

Rules:

1) Safety First. This is a recreational competition, we do this for fun. We are here primarily to enjoy each others company. Do not push your training limits or violate safe practice.

2) Gear: Polespear only!! Any style of tip is permitted; no powerheads.

3) Points: Each diver is to turn in only their largest fish in EACH species. Fish are required to be properly iced and gutted. A diver will receive one point per pound and one point per fish.

Any fish over 20 pounds will count only as 20 pounds, for a maximum of 21 points per fish. All other fish under 20 pounds will receive one point per pound and one point per fish. A 19.98 lb fish will be awarded 20.98 points.

4) Awards: As stated above this is a Calcutta-style competition. At this time there are no prizes to be awarded, just cash. The number of competition entries will determine the total cash amount. There will be 3 winners announced, the top 2 overall shooters (highest combined points) and biggest fish overall. These 3 winners will take home 50% of the overall pot and the remaining 50% of the pot will be donated to the Fishing Rights Alliance (www.thefra.org). The 50% to the winners will be distributed as follows: 80% - 1st place, 10% - 2nd place, 10% - biggest fish.

5) Competition time: The Competition Director (Bryan Anderson and Chris Grauer) will announce the official time at the morning of competition. Competition begins at 7:30 AM. All fish must physically in the weigh-in line and at least one diver from the team that boated them must be in the weigh-in line no later than 5:00 PM in order to receive points for their fish.

6) Fish eligible for shooting:

Grouper
Snapper
Hogfish
Sheepshead
Triggerfish
Spadefish
Sea Bass
Jack Crevalle
Flounder
Black Drum
Grunt
Cobia
Cuda
Amberjack
Almaco Jack
Mackeral (King and Spanish)
Wahoo

Only ONE fish per species will be permitted to be weighed in. All species must follow the current regulation sizes. (http://myfwc.com/marine/Docs/2009_SaltwaterRegsChart.pdf)

7) Launch Ramp: Fort DeSoto Boat Ramp at 3600 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde.

8) Boundaries: The east/west boundary will be the west coast of Florida, with no north or south boundaries. No competitors shall approach or dive closer than 200 feet of another anchored boat posting a dive flag, except on wrecks, in which case you must approach courteously without endangering divers.

9) Eligibility: OPEN TO EVERYONE! Beginner, experienced, freedive, and scuba.

10) Tardiness/Disqualification: The weigh-in line location will be addressed the morning of the competition. The Competition Director maintains the official time and is therefore charged with the enforcement of the following rules: In order to receive points for the fish to be weighed, all fish must be present in the weigh-in line before 5 PM. Any participant presenting fish in the weigh-in line after 5 PM will result in disqualification. Also, adding fish to a participant’s stringer after 5 PM will result in disqualification. If a boat is disabled (operating other than normal performance), one person from that boat may bring in all entries to the weigh-in. Any cases of cheating shall result in disqualification and a ban from the following year’s competition. Infractions of the competition rules, i.e. rough play or un-sportsmen like conduct will result in a disqualification.

11) Competition cancellation: We will make our best effort to run the competition on the scheduled date. However, “Small Craft Advisories/Warnings” posted as of 11:00 pm Thursday before the day of the competition will result in automatic postponement. The Competition Director may also decide to postpone the competition if other unfavorable dive conditions prevail. Consult www.spearfishingplanet.com, Florida Gulf coast section to confirm a cancellation.

12) Entry fee: Everyone pays the morning of the competition. Cost is $20.00 per person, CASH ONLY. REPEAT, CASH ONLY!

13) Rules/Protests: These rules may be expanded or modified by the Competition Chairmen if necessary, in the interest of safety, or for the benefit of the participants. Once the competition begins, any rule changes must be agreed to by both of the Chairmen. Protests may be presented to the Competition Director at any time. There is a $40 pain-in-our-ass fee for filing any formal protest and the Competition Director’s decision will be final.


QUESTIONS? Contact:

Competition Chairman: Bryan Anderson: (407) 375-9283
Or at (speargun @ gmail dot com)

Competition Chairman: Chris Grauer: (727) 641-2565
Or at (Cgrauer @ verizon dot net)

I have attached a printable PDF version of the rules and registration form to this thread.

Attached Thumbnails

 

damn. i thought it was going to be just the 4 of us in the bay freediving for bragging rights. should you maybe take grouper off?

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That's what we all thought too until Grauwer and I started talking about it

It'll be the same but with larger bragging rights

Grouper is open till Feb. 1st

New State and Federal Rules for Gulf of Mexico

Sounds like fun, I would participate if I was there. Have fun guys!

Too bad I do not have a polespear, let alone ever use one before. ever.

Rough play? What exactly would THAT entail? Hopefully does not show up then.

I'll dust off my polespear and Joshua and see if I can get a few other people together.

UPDATE: The eligible fish species list has been expanded. This will level the playing field for those who can only shoot inshore. I will update the attached PDF file first thing tomorrow morning.

We still on for this or has the constant 20 kt wind and shite vis set us back a few days? Looking forward to putting our spearchucking skills to good use!
Hope the weather cooperates next time if you are putting it off.
CK

Cam, it was postponed until next Saturday, Jan. 24th.

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Cameron - postponed till next Saturday, Jan. 24. Hope you can still make it

Postponed Link

damn all the heavy hitters are showing up. well it is good i will be out of town to give people like g.r., cam, rz etc a chance to win

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This should be a great event guys. I am working on the SFP newsletter and will be doing a piece on the tournament. Make sure you post lots of pics in this thread or pm me for my email address. Great work Bryan!

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We've got a young professional photographer lined up for this event so look for an official photo thread a couple days following the event. As of now the weather is looking good, hope we get a good crowd

Gamble, you shooting?

Bryan and Chris, On behalf of Aquatic Obsessions, I would like to donate two $25 AO Gift Cards to your tournament I was thinking one for the first place winner and one for last place (lets face it, the guy in last place usually needs new gear more than the top shooters). If this is OK with you guys let me know and I will have them ready for you to pick up when you get the scales and tubs. Good luck with this tourney and everyone dive safe!
Capt. Bill

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Bill,

That would be absolutely fantastic, thank you very much

Weather is going to be great on Saturday and the fish should be stacked up due to this recent blast of cold weather. Come on out and give something new a shot!