Palm Beach Freedivers 2nd Tourny 2007

[23six]

Finally!!! A nice weekend for a tournament and diving in general. Conditions were great, especially considering the past few weeks have been less than ideal. Overall, everyone had a good time. Seas were actually 2 feet or less as predicted by NOAA (wow). Visibility was pretty good but varied throughout the day. The further from the inlet, the better the vis. Water temp hovered right around 75 degrees F. The fish were hard to come by, but some quality fish were brought to the weigh-in. Here are the results and a few pics.

1st Place: Patrick Smith (WestPalmSpearo), weighing in with a nice size Cuda, an awesome Cubera snapper, good size Black Margate and a Jack Crevalle.

2nd Place and Largest Fish: Les Moscariello (23six), weighing in a smallish (plenty legal) Yellowjack, a nice Triggerfish and a 35.4 lb Greater Amberjack.

3rd Place: Wolf...whose last name escapes me at the moment (Stringer Bell), weighing in a 18 lbs. Cuda, a Triggerfish and a Spanish Mackerel. Nice shot to hit the Spanish Mack, Wolfman.

The tournament rules and fish list were set to avoid excessive fish at the weigh-in. Required lengths typically were greater than the State Regs, for example nothing less than 14" (even if the State regs say 12" or no limits) and you could only shoot 1 of each species on the list except for Snappers you could weigh-in 2. The only other exception was you could have one of any kind of Jack and also have one Greater Amberjack (not to exceed the 2 per boat State Reg). Anyway, this meant it would be pointless to load up on one species just to add up points.

And some pics:

[23six]

And yes, I know I have a trailer wheel bearing issue...
And no, I didn't choose PINK grease...I find myself wondering...who put PINK grease in my wheel bearings?

Anyway, some more pics! -

[23six]

And a couple more -

[23six]

Special thanks to Ryan Cole for making the trip down all the way from Jacksonville just for our tourny. Also, special mention must be made for his wife who offered to start driving at 2:30am so he could attend the tourny. AND...if not for his valiant efforts, I would have had to climb down off the boat to pick up this Yellowjack since I couldn't get the right angle with the Gaff - just to get a better photo. Way to go Ryan.

[23six]

Yes, I know, my Yellowjack is smallish - but plenty legal. I am digesting him now so there need not be any comments on my prize fish here. :tongue:

[LakeHunter]

Oh man that looked like a blast! Nice job guys

[sacha58]

All my best to you guys, Ciao WestpalmSpearo and Stringer......hope to meet 23six too next time ;-)
Alessandro

[kitespearo]

Good Job guys I wish I could have been there. Les very nice AJ. Hey you can take that AJ to pinders and they will smoke it for you. I did that 2 weeks ago they do not charge you anything if you give them half the fish. I think it was a pretty good deal. Anyways Very nice Job the 3 of you guys.

German


Wolf....why are you not diving the PB reefs anymore.
I have all the jupiter numbers to so if you want we can hit those one day
GErman

[apexpredator]

Congrats Patrick. Awesome cubera...really love those fish...no matter what size they are they fight like crazy.

[Man-O-War]

Ripping current, shady vis, and scarse fish. Looks like summer is here!

Good times guys

Congratulations Patrick

Les, you should post pics of your custom built-in gun racks. Those things are awesome

[float 'n stalk]

good times gentlemen, good times... :thumps:

[El Cid]

Looks like a fun tourny, nice job guys!!

[keezdiver]

so was there some kind of rule about having to remain in your wetsuit for the weighin??

:D

nice work guys....

[23six]

so was there some kind of rule about having to remain in your wetsuit for the weighin??

I've never been happy with the pics taken after diving. Typically, even though it's not a "speedo" type of pic, there is nothing flattering about lycra shorts and wet t-shirts to me (of myself at the boat ramp anyway).

[Man-O-War]

I've never been happy with the pics taken after diving. Typically, even though it's not a "speedo" type of pic, there is nothing flattering about lycra shorts and wet t-shirts to me (of myself at the boat ramp anyway).

I knew you were partial to on-the-water, action pics ;)

[sbh]

Way to go Patrick. Once my saturdays free up this summer I"d love to come down for a tournament.

[23six]

I knew you were partial to on-the-water, action pics ;)
well, you shouldn't have had that rod holder installed there.

[23six]

Just wait Wolf...I'm sure I'll have plenty of photo ops of you

[kitespearo]

HAHAHAHAAHA
I have not had a good laugh in a long time....Thank you Les and Wolf for that "Lovely" piece of spearfishing memento.

German

[NOTANX]

well, you shouldn't have had that rod holder installed there.
:lol: :lol: .

good job guys. wish i could have been there but had to work. hope to have a better turn out next time.

[Man-O-War]

so was there some kind of rule about having to remain in your wetsuit for the weighin??

:D

nice work guys....

No wetsuit rule, weighin was like 2min after boats were loaded on the trailers and out of the water... :cool: