Rules, Entry Form, Waiver finally up......

[Screen Name]

:D Finally got the rules, entry and waiver forms up here.. :eek:

http://www.divefsda.com/Southern_Open_Tournaments/Southern_Open_2007/Southern_Open_2007.htm

[Spearchucker]

John

On the front page, it says that the rain date is July 30, but on the rules sheets it says the rain date is June 30.

You may want to fix that.

[bgbill]

The Rules do not look that fair for the East Coast guys, most of their fish have larger limits due to state regulations.


Eligible fish: Categories, size and number that will be allowed, are:
Category Minimum Size

Grouper
Gulf: Gag or Black, 22”, Red, 20”, Scamp,16”.
Atlantic: Gag or Black, 24” Red, 20”, Scamp, 20” 3 (1 Red max)

Snapper
Gulf: Mango, 12”, Red or Mutton, 16”, Cubera 12”
Atlantic: Mango, 12”, Red 20”, Mutton, 16”, Cubera 12” 3 (2 Red max)

Hogfish
12” to Fork 3


Trigger or Sheepshead
12” minimum Length 3

Amberjack or Cobia or Barracuda
AJ & Barracuda = 28” to Fork
Cobia = 33” to Fork 1


Their grouper and snapper have to be bigger, yet over there they can shoot 2 red grouper but can only weigh one, I am aware of why they can only weigh 1 red grouper, but they can only weigh a combination of 2 gags or blacks, but in the GOM you can weigh 3 gags or blacks and they have shorter limits.

Wouldn't it be more fair to only allow 2 blacks and gags with a minimum length of 24", Scamp at 20" ,1 Red grouper at 24", Red snapper and Mutton Snapper to have a 20" minimum length?

How is the weigh master or anyone else in the tournament going to know where the fish were shot?

This part is confusing:
Important: Do not bring undersize or illegal fish to the scale! Undersize fish may be deducted from your score!

I agree with the sentiment, but if a guy has a short fish, other than not allowing it to be weighed, does the actual weight get deducted from the score? Putting "may be deducted" into the rules leaves room for arguments.

[Screen Name]

The Rules do not look that fair for the East Coast guys, most of their fish have larger limits due to state regulations.

Good point on the red grouper. We'll revise that.

Basically, we have made a huge effort to enable Atlantic divers to dive their home area without a hassle. We are sure that there will be issues, and we'll do our best to resolve them fairly.

You can dive wherever you want in Florida but you have to follow the law in that region. 20 pound gags, 50 lb Jacks, 9lb Sheepshead, and 15 lb Snapper are not unusual in the Atlantic..........20 miles from shore. But fish that size are uncommon in the Gulf, 70 miles from shore.

[Screen Name]

John

On the front page, it says that the rain date is July 30, but on the rules sheets it says the rain date is June 30.

You may want to fix that.

Thanks John.

[Steel Shootin']

Is that a Nassau Grouper on your poster? Can I weigh that? ;) :D

Always one of my favorite tournaments. I hope to make it this year. Thanks for all your hard work, John.

[Puncture Wound]

The Rules do not look that fair for the East Coast guys, most of their fish have larger limits due to state regulations.

I agree with the sentiment, but if a guy has a short fish, other than not allowing it to be weighed, does the actual weight get deducted from the score? Putting "may be deducted" into the rules leaves room for arguments.



Actually over here we dont have a problem getting grouper, we are blessed with nice gags and dont have a problem getting them over 24in, but no matter what you have to follow the law for which coast you are on,
overall with the new changes its a win win situation, anything to get more people involved is a plus in my book i only know of 1 boat that ran over here last year and so far i know of 5 or so that are planning on competing this year.

[Screen Name]

Is that a Nassau Grouper on your poster? Can I weigh that? ;) :D It's a Queen Trigger. :D

[girliegills]

Being able to sign up for photography at the dive shop is really nice. Saves at least one drive to Tarpon - thanks!

[Screen Name]

The Rules do not look that fair for the East Coast guys, most of their fish have larger limits due to state regulations.


Not arguing, but just for information's sake, all of that was taken into account back when we established the 15/50 scoring system. We analyzed the differences by region and did our best to devise a system that was as balanced as we could concieve of. We would have to see what really happens for a few years before we really knew.

We are hoping that the points spread is really close between a lot of divers.

[bgbill]

Not arguing, but just for information's sake, all of that was taken into account back when we established the 15/50 scoring system. We analyzed the differences by region and did our best to devise a system that was as balanced as we could concieve of. We would have to see what really happens for a few years before we really knew.

We are hoping that the points spread is really close between a lot of divers.

John,

My main point was that on the east coast they can only shoot a combination of 2 gags or blacks, yet in the GOM we can shoot 5 (for now anyway).

It might be more fair to only allow 2 gags or blacks or a combination to be weighed in the tournament, that way no one gets the advantage.

It is up to you guys though, just pointing out some things that I noticed, either way it will be another great tournament, thanks for your efforts.

[Jaizzen]

Cuda's legal now?
Were they legal last year?

[kitefisherman]

Bret, people on the East coast could submit a red grouper as their third grouper. After you limit out on gags/blacks (2 fish total), you can still shoot 3 reds from which you could choose the biggest. Not sure how many red grouper they have in NE Florida though.

Jason, this year the category is for "amberjack or cobia or barracuda". Cudas have a 28" fork minimum. Don't remember about last year.

[Jaizzen]

Jason, this year the category is for "amberjack or cobia or barracuda". Cudas have a 28" fork minimum. Don't remember about last year.

Cool, I saw two of the largest Cuda's I've ever seen during the Last WCC.

They looked like telephone poles in the water, maybe they will still be there.

Jason

[Petra]

Don't forget to get your raffle tickets for the DEATHSTICK!!

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=46810

[ARK]

Hi,

Are we getting divers meeting/weight in on the East Coast? Sorry, I could not find this info.

ARK

[bubblejunkie]

I think its in St augustine, but I'm not sure thats much closer than the west coast meeting for some of us.

[kmoose]

The rules state a 12 yr old to 15 yr old may enter as a junior but that they don't have to. Can my daughter enter as a female and youth? If so, do I pay both entry fees? This is Shelby's first competition so I am leaning to youth but her competitive side wants a chance at the womens glass. What do I tell her? One or the other or both. I would hate to see her get beaten in the youth by a male participant because I chose to only register as a youth and have the possibility to have done better in womens or visa versa.

[Screen Name]

The rules state a 12 yr old to 15 yr old may enter as a junior but that they don't have to. Can my daughter enter as a female and youth? If so, do I pay both entry fees? This is Shelby's first competition so I am leaning to youth but her competitive side wants a chance at the womens glass. What do I tell her? One or the other or both. I would hate to see her get beaten in the youth by a male participant because I chose to only register as a youth and have the possibility to have done better in womens or visa versa.

Kenny, I'll get an decision on this at the FSDA meeting tonight. If it'll get you off the hook & preserve the peace, we'll form an anonymous committee to make this decision.....just in case it backfires. :D

After all, its not all about winning. :D At least that's what you are supposed to pretend. :eek: :D

[The Collector]

Shouldn't need a commitee. A woman once won spearboard, and managed to win the womens division at the same time. Had she held her breath, she would've gone home with the freedive trophy as well.
Shelby is a junior and a female so if she wins the SO she should get all 3 trophies!

[Bucket One]

The rules state a 12 yr old to 15 yr old may enter as a junior but that they don't have to. Can my daughter enter as a female and youth? If so, do I pay both entry fees? This is Shelby's first competition so I am leaning to youth but her competitive side wants a chance at the womens glass. What do I tell her? One or the other or both. I would hate to see her get beaten in the youth by a male participant because I chose to only register as a youth and have the possibility to have done better in womens or visa versa.


Kenny,

After the meeting tonight and going over a few things there is no problem with Shelby entering the youth division and winning the women's overall also. She could also win top overall diver if she scored high enough and could win a big fish division also. So in theory she could clean house. Hope this helped you out some.

RZ


Mike,
You ever coming back to a FSDA meeting again? Or for that matter a TSB rep. :eek:

[bgbill]

Mike,
You ever coming back to a FSDA meeting again? Or for that matter a TSB rep. :eek:

Scott said one of the meetings he went to a month or so ago, everyone was happy that Mike and I weren't there, that could be one of the reasons Mike didn't go, as far as Ben not going, I am not sure why he wasn't there.

[kmoose]

Thanks Ritchie, while as I certainly hope Shelby preforms as well as she can, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to drop the ball as far as optimizing her chances to place in the competition. Shelby's only asperation at this time is to be IN the Southern Open. I will be just as proud to see her turn in a single fish and safely compete. Shelby and I are really looking foward to this. She has been working really hard preparing herself and gear.

[Screen Name]

Thanks Ritchie, while as I certainly hope Shelby preforms as well as she can, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to drop the ball as far as optimizing her chances to place in the competition. Shelby's only asperation at this time is to be IN the Southern Open. I will be just as proud to see her turn in a single fish and safely compete. Shelby and I are really looking foward to this. She has been working really hard preparing herself and gear.

In prior years the policy had been that Juniors were only eligible for the junior trophy at the SO. They also pay a reduced fee to enter the tournament. There was good rationale for this: The FSDA clubs do not want to make winning important enough that someone might push their limits or bend the rules.

A healthy debate was held and good points were raised on both sides of it. In the end, there was broad support to try this in the interest of fairness. The clubs still expect all participants to dive safely and within the rules. :toast:

[The Collector]

Mike,
You ever coming back to a FSDA meeting again? Or for that matter a TSB rep. :eek:

Probably not. We are very well represented by our Team Rep Ben :confused:
and as far as WCC goes, Oscar is doing a fine job. :thumps:

If you are in desperate need of shizzit stirring, let me know :D

As far as Kenny's debate, Ben & I talked and knew you guys would do the right thing so we opted not to send our hitman rep, Bret. :D :D