Hatteras Bluewater Open?

[Screen Name]

Anybody going up to the Hatteras Bluewater Open in early August? David Shelton and I, G.R. Tarr, and Jerry Guerra are going up. Anybody else?

[blueh2oboy]

Wish i could go this year but I'll be in the middle of the indian ocean. Today it was 112 degrees in the shade here in sunny kuwait so i am paying for all the good dives i had this past year. If you guys go up there i expect you to represent for the Florida boys. Good luck and I'll be in touch. Cam.

[Screen Name]

That just moves us up a notch Cam!

[Screen Name]

Last I looked, seas were 21 feet. :eek:

Anybody ever been there before? Whats the chances that a hurricane can sweep through and the vis be OK a couple days later? :confused:

[SeaWitch]

Just received this from Mark regarding the storm off the coast:

"I am not sure how this storm will effect the fishing except to tell you that all this S and E wind has definitely pushed the gulfstream way in, probably inside Hatteras Inlet. Last time I dove there a few weeks ago there was blue water 8 miles out of the inlet and wahoo and African pompano in pretty good numbers."

We're keeping our fingers crossed for a great spearfishing over the three days.

See you there!
-SeaWitch

[SeaWitch]

Screen Name,
Are you flying in on Thursday? Or are you going to drive up?

[Screen Name]

Driving dude. Did Jerry talk to you about some stuff I need?

Good thing about the bluewater in the inlet. Sounds like that may be where we are diving. :D

[SeaWitch]

Driving? Wow that's a trek. It's about 7hours for us.

Jerry called, got it. Will bring down with us.

Have a safe trip up!

[Red Tide]

Dramamine, pretzels, and some Gainsville Green will go good with the 21 foot seas. I put some new bands on my 24 inch Sea Hornet and I am good to go.:cool:

[SeaWitch]

Blown out today. :(

Kicking back beers, and waiting for tomorrow.

Cheers!

[El Duke]

Nole form Dynamite Clan first (nice tuna) and this is his second first place. Nole you are the man. I want to be like you when I grow up.
G.R. Tarr third.
Florida is still unbeaten in Hatters


Sasa

[charlie moore]

does anyone know the complete results?

[SeaWitch]

1 -252.5 -Nole Karcher
2 -174.7 -Steven Rodger
3 -131.7 -GR Tarr (team SpearfishingGear.com:))
4 -66.9 -Alex Wazlak
5 -64.3 -Jason Gredell
6 -64.1 -Guy Nesbitt
7 -62.9 -Larry Schuldt
8 -62.1 -KJ Malone
9 -60.4 -Richard Gage
10-59.4 -Dave Shelton

Congratulations to all the Competitors! It was a pleasure meeting everyone.

I was able to spend some time together with several of the divers, GR Tarr, Guy Nesbitt, Jerry Guerra, Kurt Bickel, and also John Schmidt & Dave Shelton who came with their beautiful wives.

I had a great time, look forward to next year!

[Red Tide]

This tournament is a must for any serious free divers. There were lots of big fish to shoot at, and a great bunch of friendly people to share experiences with.
Even though the first day was a blow out, we still managed to have a lot of laughs at the pool and meet new people from around the country. (Courtesy of Corona Beer)
Stay tuned, I am sure some good pics will be comming soon.

[Screen Name]

I went freediving in the Bluewater off Hatteras.

I shot fish at 75 feet deep, my best ever. Not like a real freediver, but still my personal best.

I dove numerous wrecks that were torpedoed by the Germans in WWII, and learned the history of every one.

I dove with big schools of big African Pomano. Once I got two with one shot.

I learned some new stalking methods.

I almost got my first Wahoo, but he was smarter than me. This time.

I shot my biggest freedive fish to date, a 38 lb Jack, rolled him over. The only shot I missed was on a Cuda, and I really didn't want to mess with him since they arent in the tourney.

I saw a big shark jump out of the water right behind the boat as I hopped in with my weight belt full of chum.

I had a big Manta Ray circling me as I untangled an African Pompano from my marker buoy.

I swam around in a weedline. Never have done that before. It was beautiful with all the strange baitfish that hang out there. I would have loved to see even a 10 lb Dolphin.

I got to see GR Tarr disappear into the Abyss like he had tanks on. "Wait here, I'll bring the fish up".

I got to see Nole Karcher's thumb which became wrapped in his shooting line when he shot the tournament record 63 lb Yellowfin Tuna. He is lucky he didn't buy the farm on that one.

I got 15th overall.........I was real happy with that being that I'm not a real freediver. Yet, like the 5th through 20th placers, I could have been 4th with just one more fish! That woulda been a shocker!

I met some really awesome people. Matt and Denise Turner (SeaWitch) from Spearfishinggear.com. Guy Nesbitt. Richard Gage (Powerhead) and Steven Rodger (SpearOne Charters) from Key West. Great divers, great people. Manny Puig........yes the famous shark rider guy. No Meghan though. Phillipe from Canada, great freediver on our boat. Russ the photographer. Kurt Bickel, editor of Spearfishing Mag and former motorcycle racer like myself and GR Tarr. Bill Ernst and Bonnie Row from California. Plus, I got to hang out with my bro's GR Tarr (Red Tide), Jerry Guerra, David Shelton (Dr. Grouper) , and Nole (Straightup) and Dane (Dynamite Dane) Karcher. And Mark Labocetta.

So, what did you guys do this weekend?

[Screen Name]

GR put a hurtin one em with this 33 lb African Pompano.

[Screen Name]

Steven Rodger, Nole Karcher, Dane Karcher, day 2.

[Screen Name]

My first African Pompano. Almost like GR's. :D

[deepdown]

Looks like you guys had a ball. Glad to hear your hooked on freediving.

Dive safe,

Gerald

[RichT]

John,
Sounds like you guys had a great time!
I think I may just head up there and give it a try next year. Congratulations on your high finish!

[SeaWitch]

From left to right, GR Tarr, Guy Nesbitt, Jerry Guerra, Matt Turner

[SeaWitch]

Nole Karcher

[SeaWitch]

Philipe Vigili

[SeaWitch]

GR Tarr

[SeaWitch]

Guy Nesbitt

[SeaWitch]

Jerry Guerra

[SeaWitch]

GR Awards Banquet

[SeaWitch]

Top Three Awards Banquet

[Screen Name]

David Shelton and his biggest fan , Manny Puig.

[Screen Name]

We just need one more fish!

[Red Tide]

Great reporting Screen. ..............
Guy called me and wants to go back next week for a rematch. Are you in??????:D

[Powerhead]

Here are some pics from our trip on the Runaway Steve Rodger with Wahoo #22

[Powerhead]

Rick Gage with AJ #45

[Powerhead]

Steve Rodger with YellowFin #35 & Nole Karcher wtih Yellowfin #64

[rigdvr]

hey red tide....wanna come hunt some rigs since the weather in Tampa isnt looking so good? Take care and remember, you got 99 problems and Charlies one:eek:

[deepdown]

Isn't the spearing of Tuna still illegal in Atlantic waters, or am I totally off on that?

[kitefisherman]

I hate to detract from the accomplishment of spearing such nice fish, but my understanding is that it is illegal to spear Gulf and Atlantic yellowfin, bluefin and bigeye tuna. The prohibition does not apply to blackfins as they are not a highly migratory species and therefore are not managed under the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. This topic was discussed by aue-mike and me in more detail here at http://www.spearboard.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2268

Maybe I am missing something as they scored these fish in Hatteras and Hawaii Skin Diver had a recent issue showing tuna speared in the Gulf. I hope that I am wrong and that someone would explain why.

[Red Tide]

If the yellow fin tuna were illegally taken, that would disqualify first and second place finishers. I would win by default. Yeah... I am the winner. Just kidding, I only wish that I would have broken the law also.:p

[Screen Name]

Originally posted by kitefisherman
I hate to detract from the accomplishment of spearing such nice fish, but my understanding is that it is illegal to spear Gulf and Atlantic yellowfin.

Maybe I am missing something as they scored these fish in Hatteras and Hawaii Skin Diver had a recent issue showing tuna speared in the Gulf. I hope that I am wrong and that someone would explain why.

I believe these fish were taken in International waters, if that has any bearing.

[Powerhead]

If I'm not mistaken those fish were taken with Straight Hook & Line Gear which is legal under current laws.:)

[Stretcharmstrng]

silly man,
those holes are gaff marks...