Hatteras Tournament Results?

[deepdown]

So guys, so what happened? Who shot the big fish? How were the conditions?

Gerald

[Powerhead]

I "heard" the sharks were real bad this year. Lots of fish lost to them. GR said Turner shot an 80 lb AJ the first day. Then they got blown out on Sat. Also something about a 10lb Wahoo head weighed.

This is all third party info. Don't hold me to it.

[slingking]

Yeah, what the fu?k happened up there???
I want pics

[Bucket One]

Gerald,
This is what I was told last night.

The conditions were not so good. Conditions on friday were rough. On saturday is was canceled. Sunday is was shitty.

Richard Balta shot a 43 lb AP and Gary Sanchez got 39 lb AP.

Matt Turner shot a 80 lb AJ.

Rene Rojas shot the only yellowfin tuna but sharks got to it first and he only weighed in 14 lbs of what was left.

The top 5 divers were:
1- Rene Rojas
2- Wayne Butts
3- Ryan Moore
4- Blake Gaylord
5- Brandon Wahlers

I'm sure the guys will chime in when they return.

[deepdown]

Thanks Ritchie. I just got of the phonbe with Ryan a few minutes ago. They on their way back to FLA right now. He said the conditions were VERY challenging...

Pics will be on the way once they get internet access...

Gerald

[chasintail]

At least Wayne and Blake didn't let the CA boys run with it. :thumps:

[slingking]

Sounds like they should have went surfing instead

[Erik Sun]

NICE JOB GUYS!!!!!

Does anybody have Wayne's new email or does he have a screenname on this board?

-Erik

[chasintail]

NICE JOB GUYS!!!!!

Does anybody have Wayne's new email or does he have a screenname on this board?

-Erik

PM Red Tide.He has it.

[RabiSpear]

Hey everyone. It was definitely rough. As usual, it was still a blast. Lots of sharks. Ritchie got the top five right. I forget exactly how it broke down after that. Matt Head and Gary Sanchez were right up there. The top was really tight because everyone had trouble getting out to the deep water wrecks.

[Ed Walker]

Nice showing in the top 5 by the West Fla contingent, both SPUC divers too. :thumps:
I didnt know Wayno (reelfrogman) was even going and he nearly wins! Way to go Wayne! Wasnt surprised to see the Rabi name up there. :beer:
Congrats to the winner too. Sounds like he earned it.

[Im1chunkymunky]

way to go ryan and brandon! 2 3rd's and 5th's in 2 weeks awesome!! someone post some damn pix!

[chasintail]

Lets not leave Rene out.Way to go dude. :thumps:

[Bill McIntyre]

I just love it when Rene wins one for the old farts. He is not only good, but one of the nicest guys in the sport.

[Im1chunkymunky]

my bad, rene, my appologies, great job!!!!! hope to see u in florida again soon!

[spearfishkingPV]

I Love to see my buddies on the top5. It makes me not feel so bad when i dive w/them. lol. Way to go Rene, Ryan, oh yea and Brandon too!

[Powerhead]

Congrats to all the divers for their respective finishes! Sounds like it was hard earned this year.

Anyone know when Marks going to post the results? It's been two days now. I don't see any info from OMER about anything?

So, what's the deal? Were people weighing fishheads only because the sharks were so bad?

There's got to be more info than what has been posted so far. Right?

I hate diving dirty water, kinda glad I didn't go this time. I spent about $5,000 last year on the trip.

[Mattedhead]

Results will probably be posted today. Mark, Pat, Brandon, Leo, Rick and I went out yesterday(monday) after the tournament so Mark hasn't had a chance to post them. As usual...the day after glassy w/ some 3' swell.... :thumps: Oh well beautiful day and some of the most insane/challenging diving I have ever been a part of. Hunting all the fish we couldn't hunt during the meet on the deep wrecks at 80-100'+. I got home at 3am and awoke at 6am to get to work....I am pretty much worthless today. I will post more later but I have a ton of catching up to do. Absolutely awesome event...and very well rep'd by the Spearboard brethren.

:sleep:

[Seaholic]

Man that was a blast. I also have a lot of recovering to do :sleep: . I spent 20 hours each way on traveling, that sucked. I will definitely plan it better next time.

Rene, awesome man, Congratulations :thumps: . Very well earned. I had a feeling from the first day that you where going to take it and I really can't think of a better guy to have it.

Mark what a meet, That was great man. :thumps: I was told there where some great prizes, but come on you gave away a whole warehouse. If I would have known there where that many great prizes given out, I would have definitely settled to be on the score bord rather than going for first.

The best part was meeting all the wonderful people from all over. Looking forward to diving with all of you again.

Have to catch up on some work now.

[RabiSpear]

Rich,
I enjoyed meeting/traveling with you. Not much conversation after waking at 2am! Thanks for coming. My favorite part was meeting all the "wacked out" left-coasters.

[chasintail]

Did I mention they stank.

[guttshot]

Here's to the rookie team on Fin Quest! Great Tourney, it was awesome diving with and learning from you guys. Capt. Don and mate Anthony had to bust ass in the conditions to put us on fish but they did. Hope to see all you guys again next year.

http://www.spearboard.com/photos/data/500/595906_001--med.jpg
Me, Kyle, Mike (10th place!), John, David and Karl.

-Ryan McInnis

[Pipe 45]

Way to go guys 4 L.A. Fathomiers in the top 20 and 3 in the top 5.
Congratulations Rene, Ryan, Brandon and Richie

[sbh]

Looks like even with bad conditions some great fish were taken. Any pics??? I'd love to get up there in the coming years and give it a try! Dates for next year?

[Powerhead]

Matted,
Why did you remove the report about the Cubaras? There’re no big secret anymore. Steven Rodger stoned one in the 70lb range last year the day before the tourney. Hell, that fish got us the distinction of being the only boat in the history of the tournament to be “Spot Checked” for illegal fish.

Did you see any yellowfins on that same wreck? The first year I dove it I saw a large school. Last year I only saw 1. But, man them snappers were HUGE!! And lots of them too. I hope you got one of either.

Rick

[Mattedhead]

Mark is still swamped...but here is the top 10.

1. 110.7 Rene ROJAS (Indica) AJ 40.2, Pompano 29.1, Tuna 20.2X2(double points for tuna, wahoo, or mahi)

2. 99.3 Wayne BUTTS (Carolina Girl) AJ 42.5, Pompano 28, Cobia 28.8

3. 90.4 Ryan MOORE FISHTILUDROWN(Absolut) AJ 37.3, Pompano 19.4, Cobia 33.7

4. 81.7 Blake GAYLORD RABISPEAR (Absolut) AJ 42.0, Pompano 27.1, Cobia 12.6

5. 80.4 Brandon WAHLERS PVSPEARO (Runaway) AJ28.8, Pompano 22.5, Cobia 29.1

6. 80.2 Matt TURNER TRIGGERFISH (Wanchese Ghost Ship) AJ 80.2 **Biggest Fish**

7. 77.2 Guy NESBITT (Carolina Girl) AJ 42.0, Pompano 35.2

8. 75.3 Gary SANCHEZ (Carolina Girl) AJ 37.3, Pompano 38.0

9. 72.9 Matt HEAD MATTEDHEAD (Indica) AJ 29.8, Pompano 11.5, Cobia 31.6

10. 66.9 Mike JETTE (Fin Quest) AJ 37.6, Pompano 29.3

If any of the other guys are spearboard members shoot me their screen name and I will post it. I think Guy and Gary are...not sure though.

[SeaWitch]

It was great meeting new people and seeing some friendly faces from past years. Here's some pics for you:
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010608e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010609e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010610e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010611e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010613e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010615e.jpg

[SeaWitch]

More:
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010618e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010621e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010622e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010623e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010624e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010625e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010631e.jpg

[SeaWitch]

More:
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010632e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010634e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010636e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010640e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010642e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010643e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010644e.jpg

[SeaWitch]

More:
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010647e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010648e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010651e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010658e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010662e.jpg
http://www.spearfishinggear.com/images/P1010666e.jpg

[fish til udrown]

What a meet!!

Soo much fun! Especially meeting all the kick ass right coast divers. You guys are nuts, ill take the whites over bulls any day!!!

Hope I can make it back next year to dive with you guys again!!

take care everyone and dive safe!

and by the way , if anyone has any pics from hatteras and feels like sharing them my e-mail is fish-til-udrown@earthlink.net

-Ryan Moore

[RabiSpear]

Ryan,
Griff says you can come back anytime. I had a blast diving with you. You definitely lived up to the hype.

[Dignan]

I had a great time with everyone; friendliest bunch of folks i've ever met! Look forward to diving with all you guys in the future... :toast:

Thanks Mark and family, you guys showed everyone a heck of a time!

[PV_Spearo]

Guys,
I had a blast this year. Although the weather didn't turn out to be the best, it was still a great time and we made some fun out of it anyways.

I had a couple crazy encounters on the last day, which just reminds me of how WILD Hatteras is. Anything can happen out there, and this meet is not for the faint of heart or unexperienced diver.

My 3rd drift on our 1st wreck of the morning in about 120ft, Im down at 80ft hanging, and about to come up, when I see a ~20 lb African, swimming away from me, so I play the cat and mouse game and it comes in a litle for a far shot. I take the shot from 15+ ft out, solid shot. Time for me to head up, so I let the line slide thru my hands and make it to the surface. I get the fish up to the shooting line as I drift over the wreck and all the sand tigers. I go down and grab the fish by the tail and get my other arm around its head as I see a shark heading up towards me. I thought it was a sand tiger at first, so I wasnt worried, but soon the Shark is 10ft away from me hauling a$$ and not slowing down. I put my elbow up in front of me since I have no time to drop the fish or get my gun in front of me. The shark, which turned out to be a 12-13ft Bull, ran right into me, mouth open trying to get my fish, Slammed his nose right into my elbow, and quickly recieved my knee into his chin. Then the shark spun around my side and kept circling me, not going farther than about 3ft away from me the whole time. I took my head out of the water for half a second to see where the boat was and Yell for help, and I could feel my fins hitting the shark. The shark stayed with me the entire time until I made it onto the boat, and I never let go of the fish. There was a scuba charter boat anchored fairly closeby and they thought I was getting eaten.


A couple hours later, on a different wreck in 90ft of water, I pass over a HUGE baitball of cigar minnows. There are a few Cuda over it, and Im paying attention as something BIG blasts thru the bait. 5 seconds later, a 90-100lb Tuna comes swimming right by me on the surface. I take a bout a quarter breath of air then dive parallel to the fish. The fish was broadside me at about 20ft away, and I knew i had to close the gap since I had my 130 with only 2 bands. As soon as the fish turned away I took 3 strong kicks and got 15ft away. I took the shot and Hit the fish 1/3 the way down from the head in the spine. The fish started quivering and I went up to take a breath. I went back down and grabbed the fish by the tail but I couldnt fit my hands around it, what a BIG FISH!! The fish was quivering like crazy and I couldnt get it under control. The fish took me upside down and then I watched the shaft fall right out of the fish. I tried my best to control the fish by putting my arms and legs around it, but It was waking up and my mask kepth getting knocked and filled with water. I couldnt hold on and the fish slipped away. LAME
This whole event took place in less than 20 seconds from when I first saw the fish.

Anyways, If my BUDDIES wold have been sticking around Both of these situations would have turned out a lot better. The shark probably would have been shot and saves my ass a few gray hairs and a brown wetsuit, and that tuna could have been landed with a second shot.
So ALWAYS Make sure your buddies are closeby.

Mark and Family, once again another GREAT event, I look forward to going next year, can't wait!!


Brandon

[gogators27]

That is some extreme stuff. Glad you are ok. Makes for a great story now though!

[Reelfrogman]

Guys,
It took me a week to recover form not only the tournament, but all the work waiting for me when I got home (I'll take the workout in Hatteras any day)!
This was one of the best tournaments I have ever participated in. Several reasons: First, was because of all of the participants. Everyone of them that I spoke to were all FIRST CLASS. I met some new friends and learned alot as well (Thanks Rene, Ralph, and Larry). Mark is a class act and knows how to take care of his participants!! Also, I love to shoot fish over the wrecks, and, Hatteras has to be one of the best places to shoot. Lots of wrecks and lots of fish (flat seas, no sharks, ans no current).
Brandon and Ryan, sorry us old farts had to retire early for our Geritol.
Richard, next year you can tow me back to the marker buoy so that I can make another drop.
Chris, Guy, and Gary, you guys were great to hang out with and do our thing ( shoot fish and talk about p___y!!
Mark, I hope to be back next year and I won't be a debutante! :thumps:

[TriggerFish]

The tournament was awesome. A lot of details have already been covered. But this is the first chance I have had to post since the event. Landing the big 80lb AJ was a blast. I felt like Michael Jordan by the end of the first day of hunting. But was humbled to 6th place by the end of the tourny but some excellent divers.

It was great diving with Gary in the '05 tournament and although we weren't on the same boat in '06, it was great to see him and rest of the divers from tournaments past.

Hadn't seen anyone post it yet, so here's a shot of the tournament board.

Thanks to Mark and everyone. It's consistantly a pleasure to co-sponsor and be a part of this tournament.

[Reelfrogman]

Matt,
You should have felt like MJ that was a BIG AJ!!!!!!!!! Great to meet you, and thanks for supporting the tourneys!!

Wayne

[Gary Sanchez]

Matt,
It was great seeing you at the dock, because when I last saw you at sea your boat had caught about 10 foot of air! And your captain didn’t even think about letting off. This was a great tournament and truly an honor to be in the same room with you guys. Rene, Ralph, Larry, Bill and all the young GUNS it was great seeing you all and meeting some of you for the first time. Matt thanks for supporting all these tournaments.

Gary

[Mattedhead]

Glad you had a great time Matt! I had the pleasure of diving the 2002 tourney with the "Wanchese Pirates." They are one of the satiest, crazy crews I have ever been around...and probably the most fun. Billy and Joey's uncle is a legend. Who else will volunteer to go out in the conditions we were in all weekend just for shits and giggles? On top of that, he might be the only man on earth who can mix a vodka drinka while captaining a 26' regulator 40 miles offshore at 25kts in 6' short chop and not spill a drop??? He should have gotten some sort of award at the banquet...

Matt

[RabiSpear]

I loved Matt's story about how the Ghostship suddenly stopped and he started to wonder if they were giving up or the boat was breaking apart. Poppa Joey said- Hell no, I just need another rum drink! Hold on, Son! Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh That is the spirit.

It is one thing to go toe to toe with Billy or Joey Daniels underwater, but it is a whole 'nother game to take on either of those boys in bean bag shuffleboard (See Also, missed day of diving). As they say in Wanchese- THEM BOYS IS GOOD!

[Mattedhead]

Damn...I hate that I missed that. Instead Bob and I were doing a 50mile tour of nothing on our liquorcycles. Hmmm 25kt winds, blowing sand and a couple of 49cc scooters w/ governors set at 30mph...seemed like a good idea. The dumb and dumber quotes were the only thing that kept me going...that and the sight of Bob who is 6'8" on the scooter. Looked like he was giving a turtle the ol' spider monkey move. You could barely see the moped. I still don't understand how we came back from Ocracoke alone???? There was room for two...and a fat chick on the back would have really completed the picture.

[TriggerFish]

Matt you nailed it.
I think it was Joey who after a very solid spine jarring impact said " Thank you Mam. May I have another? " Which was funny as hell to me at that moment. I must be bit masochistic because I can't wait to do it again next year. And what a visual, Bob Humphrey on a scooter with a big girl. Too funny.

[johnspear23]

Guys,

The tournament was an awesome experience. Coming form New Jersey you don't get exposed to blue water hunting like you do in many other areas so you end up having to teach yourself. It was really cool meeting all of the legends that I have always read about and learning new techniques from the other divers. I can't wait to come back next year and represent Jerzey style……

John Majeski

[TriggerFish]

Well It will be great to see you again, a respectable 12th from the Jersey Kid. :) Also a well done to my friend Mike Jette ( CT Freediver ) who took 10th in his first year. :thumps: Way to go Mike!