2007 St. Pete Open Aug. 17-19 [Archive] - Spearboard.com - The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Boating Social Media Forum

hogsniper

06-28-2007, 11:05 PM

Join us for the 42nd World Spearfishing Championship! The World's Largest
Spearfishing Tournament
is open to all!

Be part of the Spectacle That is the St Pete Open!!

Experience the thrill of competition and the fun
of this great tournament.
THE 42nd Annual ST. PETE OPEN
August 17th-19th

2007 Details...

We will be mailing the shooter registration packet very soon so watch your mail!

Tournament T-Shirts are available NOW…

See details at www.stpeteopen.com

Our host hotel is once again the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort

Book your rooms early for a special rate!

Our venue is a great place to stay for the entire family. It has 2 swimming pools, an elevated bar, a marina on site, a public boat ramp less than a mile away, Gulf access, great parking, and has hosted some of the largest fishing tournaments in the State of Florida!

It's also super-easy to find, right next to I275.

6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane

St. Petersburg, FL

Tel: 1-727-867-1151
Fax: 1-727-864-4494

Email: sales@attheskyway.com

Chum Bucket

06-29-2007, 05:38 AM

I'm not wiating for mailed registrations. Printed mine online last night :thumps:

Spearchucker

06-29-2007, 07:48 AM

Great! Hope to see you at the weigh in! Bring a spare liver!

richhermes

06-29-2007, 08:01 AM

I will be offering free treatments on a portable Dialysis machine.:eek: Keep on partying all night!! Hangovers? We don't need no stinking hangovers!!

Nsearch

06-29-2007, 08:05 AM

This is THE tournament of ALL tournaments!!! Every year I always think how far off August and the St. Pete Open is but all of sudden its here.....can't wait!! We've got our room and slip....leaving the livers at the dock :D Will Marcus end up in the water this year? :D

RichT

06-29-2007, 09:00 AM

Let me explain something about the St. Pete Open for anybody who may be on the fence about shooting in it.
The St. Pete Open is basically a one fish tournament. That means it only takes one good dive.
Its not an agregate tournament where you need to have a bunch of good numbers and/or a bunch of good dives. You dont need to be one of the best divers in the State to win!
Many, many novices have done extremely well and even recieved first place on numerous occasions.

The great thing about diving is that you just never know when it is going to be "your" day.
I'm reminded about Derek Pinella several years ago.
Derek could have been considered a rookie by anybodys standards yet it was "his day" that day when he landed on a giant grouper in relatively shallow water!
Many other first place fish have been shot inside Tampa Bay including some that were shot in water much shallower than a swimming pool!

Now don't get me wrong... The best of the best will be at the tournament and they will be bringing their "A" game with them.
But... In my opinion, there is no other tournament in the Country that you have a better shot at competing, and possibly beating, the best of the best. ;)

Spearchucker

06-29-2007, 10:32 AM

Yeah Rich but remember all the other ways you can win in the Open just be turning in a fish in each category no matter what the size!
There are an awfull lot of ways to win in the SPO!

kitefisherman

06-29-2007, 10:37 AM

What a great tournament and party! I wouldn't miss it for the world. It's a permanent addition to my calendar each year.

richhermes

06-29-2007, 11:13 AM

Yeah Rich but remember all the other ways you can win in the Open just be turning in a fish in each category no matter what the size!
There are an awfull lot of ways to win in the SPO!

(In my Bob Barker Voice)

Johnny, tell him what he's won!!!

f94gator

06-29-2007, 11:21 AM

This tournament is so freakin' awesome ... it even gets ME out diving!!!
No joke! It'll be a dog-free weekend for me!! :D

Spearchucker

06-29-2007, 11:53 AM

Every dog has his day, Derek Pinella comes out of nowhere and takes the grouper prize a few years ago, Chris Hill at the tender age of 19 or so wins the grouper a couple of years ago, and F94gator comes out of retirement and takes a sheepshead trophy last year. Anything can happen! :thumps:

This tournament does not require that you be a pro, dive tri-mix, make 10 drops in a day, or anything else. Ritchie Zacker won a 1st place trophy in 7' of water last year. 3 out 4 guys on my boat last year got trophies, and we never went deeper than 90'.

f94gator

06-29-2007, 12:10 PM

Surviving the weigh-in party is where the professional experience comes in handy. :D

Get a room at the host hotel if at all possible. You WILL need it. :thumps:

nailman

06-29-2007, 06:37 PM

By far the best format for the average shooter. Any given diver can drop in on a category winner for that species! Sameday weighin puts the field a lot closer together.

Hell even my tight ass is going to round up a few goodies for you boys and girls to pick from. They are not diving related but I think everyone can use a good power tool.

See ya at the captains meeting !

hogsniper

07-03-2007, 08:32 PM

By far, the oldest and largest party in spearfishing, bustin' livers and world records for 42 years!! Probably your only chance at becoming the world champion of anything!!

Kraken

07-04-2007, 08:42 AM

just had one question...maybe im blind and didnt see it in the rules or anything, but where are the boundries, and do you have to come by boat?

The Collector

07-04-2007, 08:53 AM

I think there is a mandatory captain's meeting on Friday and the weigh in is Saturday night along with the MANDATORY PARTY Saturday night. Your boundries are how fast your car is and how many speeding tickets you can afford :thumps: :thumps:

Spearchucker

07-04-2007, 08:54 AM

There are no boundaries, per se. You do not have to come by boat. The main thing is that someone from your boat has to be at the Captains meeting, and you have to be at the weigh in by 7:30 on Saturday.

I routinely fish the east coast and drive over.

Scott Hooker

07-04-2007, 08:12 PM

Right you are, John; Somebody who will be on the team's boat must come to registration and the Captain's meeting on Friday, to pick up the stringer tags, shooter's shirts and goody bags for everyone on their boat. After the Captain's meeting, that person hooks up with their team to dive on Saturday, and everybody has to be at the weigh in on Saturday night.
Remember, you can come to the St Pete Open weigh-in by land or sea; The Sunspree's got great docking as well as a beach you can pull your boat up to.

Kraken

07-05-2007, 08:25 AM

thanks on the boundries and weigh in question, but i have another...for a junior, its aggregate weight, but how many of one species are you allowed. the rules arent very specific. thanks in advance

RichT

07-05-2007, 08:41 AM

thanks on the boundries and weigh in question, but i have another...for a junior, its aggregate weight, but how many of one species are you allowed. the rules arent very specific. thanks in advance

Good question. :thumps:
Everything is just ONE fish per species in the Open.
One fish per species to be eligible for the category prizes as well as one fish per species to get your aggregte weight for womans and juniors.

Nsearch

07-05-2007, 08:45 AM

CR, only one fish per category, per participant can be weighed in. So for the Woman's and Junior's Division the aggregate score of their fish in only the following categories count: Grouper, Snapper, Hogfish & Sheepshead.

If you're going to shoot in one tournament a year this is the best one IMO. Get signed up and have a blast!!!! Good luck to ya!! :thumps:

Kraken

07-05-2007, 09:49 AM

junior

07-11-2007, 09:02 PM

Just booked my flight last night. Now it's just a matter of getting my liver in shape :toast:

Spearchucker

07-11-2007, 10:36 PM

Just booked my flight last night. Now it's just a matter of getting my liver in shape :toast:

All it requires is dedication Doug. - YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! :thumps:

N2Fixx

07-30-2007, 05:32 PM

What a great "pump you up" thread! Does anyone know if there are still spots open for the St Pete Open?

AbDiver

07-31-2007, 01:17 PM

There are always spots open for the St. Pete Open. They never turn anybody away. You can sign up in advance or do it at the Friday Captains meeting.

Kraken

08-13-2007, 10:04 AM

there arent any seperate divisions or categories for a junior freediver are there? in other words, im competing against all the junior tank divers? haha!

AbDiver

08-13-2007, 11:42 AM

If you are a junior and you freedive you will be competing in both the freediving and junior division. All it takes is a few good drops for you to win both.

Frank

Kraken

08-13-2007, 11:57 AM

If you are a junior and you freedive you will be competing in both the freediving and junior division. All it takes is a few good drops for you to win both.

Frank

ok cool, i kinda understand haha, so does that allow me to also shoot cobia/amberjack/barracuda? and weigh that for the junior divison or just freedive division only...

...sorry for all the questions i just wanna get it all straight

AbDiver

08-13-2007, 04:53 PM

The cobia/aj/barracuda will only count for the freedive division.

Kraken

08-13-2007, 07:15 PM

ah ok, its all clear now haha. Thanks

SpearMax

08-13-2007, 07:23 PM

If you are a junior and you freedive you will be competing in both the freediving and junior division. All it takes is a few good drops for you to win both.

Frank

Thanks for clearing that up for him Frank.

The St. Pete Open is a great tournament that I have enjoyed for years. CR, you will enjoy it. Good luck!

Tony

blades1_99

08-17-2007, 06:30 AM

Have opening for 1 shooter...last minute but contact me. Call 727-504-8337

Ray

AbDiver

08-17-2007, 07:42 AM

Ray,

You may want to post this on http://******************.com since very few shooters are looking here lately.

Frank

SpearMax

08-17-2007, 08:55 AM

Ray,

You may want to post this on http://******************.com since very few shooters are looking here lately.

Frank

Not true Frank,

Our traffic has never been higher and there are lots of lurkers here from other sites. People are free to post where ever they want and in multiple places. Please do not try to discourage them with disparaging troll posts, especially for newcomers.

Thanks, Tony

bhowell

08-17-2007, 12:08 PM

The world is big enought for two spearfishing web sites. I have sponsored last year and this year's scoreboard. I love this sport and love helping out, however sarcastic, crappy little comments on a St. Pete Open post thread really doesn't do anybody any good.

Ray,

You may want to post this on http://******************.com since very few shooters are looking here lately.

Frank

blades1_99

08-17-2007, 02:41 PM

Hey Frank,

I didn't think of it since I sent the email out to our guys. I should have posted on both but the good news I picked up a shooter. He isn't entering (that may change tonight) but he contacted me via the post about getting wet and chasing fish around underwater (sort of nutty when you REALLY think about).

So to all who read and passed on the word...Thank you.

Regards,

Ray

SpearMax

08-17-2007, 09:12 PM

The SPO Captain's meeting went well. I was there and took a few snaps. Everyone was very friendly and excited to go out tomorrow and shoot some fish. Good luck to all!

SpearMax

08-17-2007, 09:14 PM

More Captain's meeting photos. I have shot this tournament for years and always enjoyed it.

Chad Carney

08-18-2007, 10:38 PM

The early report of the SPO is...

1st place grouper - Jason DelaCruz - low 60's.

2nd place grouper - Tony Grogan - 59.+.

3rd Place grouper - corrected to: Rich Taylor

Chad

diverlen

08-19-2007, 07:23 AM

Ray,

You may want to post this on http://******************.com since very few shooters are looking here lately.

Frank

Frank, please try to be nice.

jfjf

08-19-2007, 01:31 PM

The early report of the SPO is...

1st place grouper - Jason DelaCruz - low 60's.

2nd place grouper - Tony Grogan - 59.+.

3rd Place grouper - John Schmidt - ?

Chad

Congratulations Jason!!

However, I have to congratulate Tony too. After all the crap and mocking and everything else Spearmax has stoically endured, he shows up solo on "gameday" (at the rival's venue) and makes a very respectable showing. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::

I'm sure he will act like a perfect gentleman; don't we wish everyone could!

diverlen

08-19-2007, 05:12 PM

Jfjf, you be the man!!!

IRONHEAD

08-19-2007, 05:15 PM

Congrats Tony, way to shoot em up and deep too. looking forward to the pics of this one

AbDiver

08-19-2007, 05:21 PM

Frank, please try to be nice.

DiverLen, bhowell, and Tony

I am suprised that you took my post as a negative. If you look at the history in this thread you will see that I have posted several times to answer questions and be helpful. There had been very few posts in this thread over the last few weeks so I simply pointed out to Ray that he may get a better response from the other board. I spoke with Tony about this at the captains meeting after he approached me and thought that he better understood my meaning. It is unfortunate that the bad feelings over the last few weeks continue to color the atmosphere on both boards. It looks like I need to be more careful in how I phrase my posts in the future.

Frank

dagodiver

08-19-2007, 05:29 PM

Good job Tony!
Nice bs'in with you at the party.!

Dago.

KEYSKILLER

08-19-2007, 06:27 PM

tony:

lets see it. i know you have pics.

300ft, warsaw NICE

SpearMax

08-19-2007, 06:43 PM

DiverLen, bhowell, and Tony

I am suprised that you took my post as a negative. If you look at the history in this thread you will see that I have posted several times to answer questions and be helpful. There had been very few posts in this thread over the last few weeks so I simply pointed out to Ray that he may get a better response from the other board. I spoke with Tony about this at the captains meeting after he approached me and thought that he better understood my meaning. It is unfortunate that the bad feelings over the last few weeks continue to color the atmosphere on both boards. It looks like I need to be more careful in how I phrase my posts in the future.

Frank

You are a good guy Frank!

When all of us are face-to-face, it is so much better. I think we should all take a deep breath and enjoy the freedoms we have in this great country to explore the Internet and the underwater world we all cherish. I am glad we talked at the Captain's meeting. I have always liked you and wish to move forward in civil and friendly ways with everyone. As Bill points out, it is indeed a big world out there with plenty of space for everyone and everything.

Thanks, Tony

SpearMax

08-19-2007, 06:50 PM

tony:

lets see it. i know you have pics.

300ft, warsaw NICE

Thanks Brad,

It was more important for me to put up a good report on the St. Pete Open right now as I am still in the St. Pete area posting this field report in a Starbucks Coffee house. Next, I will head back to the east coast and maybe tonight or tomorrow morning, I will share my Warsaw story. The SPO 2007 was great fun for everyone. All the best, Tony

Here is the SPO 2007 field report:

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=50942