Engage the FINAL CONFLICT for the 2009 Blue Storms - Sign up for the Key Largo Open!

[SpearMax]

We are now accepting registrations for the 2009 Spear Wars Key Largo Blue Storm Open Tournament.

Go to www.SpearWars.com to register now!

“Spear Wars Blue Storm Tournament Series” is about the spirit of competition in the rapidly growing sport of Spearfishing. The series has raw excitement, danger, and competition. Contestants compete against each other for prizes and trophies in the largest such aggregate scoring contest in the world.

The KLO is the remaining tournament of the three Blue Storm tournament events for 2009 at these dates below.

The Key Largo Open (KLO) is coming up right away at a wonderful venue at the Key Largo Marriott. The weigh-in is under the convention meeting complex where we have the awards and prizes upstair in a first class facility. This location is in relatively easy driving distance for all SBO Classic and PBO contestants.

Keys Blue Storm Open

Thursday, November 5 - Captains' Meeting (November 19)
Saturday, November 7 - Shooting Day (November 21)
Sunday, November 8 - Weigh-in, BBQ and Expo (November 22)

Registration begins TODAY

LOCATION:

Key Largo Marriott Resort
Largo Key Conference Center
103800 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037

305-453-0000

[SpearMax]

Here are the rules and forms for entry.

[jfjf]

Make sure you read the rules carefully, they have been CHANGED, you can only weigh in ONE grouper now.

[SpearMax]

Make sure you read the rules carefully, they have been CHANGED, you can only weigh in ONE grouper now.

Yes, this rule change is VERY Important for everyone to know about. Please see the attached summary of the new laws. The Atlantic side can now only take one gag or black in Federal waters. They can still take reds though but they are usually much smaller. Weighmaster John Biggs and I considered the approach to double the points to make everything consistent with SBO and PBO this year and the overall rankings. But, we decided to go with the more restrictive approach of allowing just one grouper to be weighed in instead of two groupers as in the past Blue Storm events.

We are trying to avoid swinging the advantage to the west coast or other places that can legally get two gags or blacks and not have to rely on reds to get two groupers for KLO purposes. We do not want to have to ask you where you shot them when you weigh in your fish.

Here is the exact changed wording of the rules for this issue:

CATEGORIES
Grouper/Scamp* 24” Gag or Black; 20” Red; 20” Scamp **1 Fish Total

The maximum number of fish that a contestant can potentially enter is eight (8).

** this KLO reduction from 2 to 1 in the grouper/scamp category is caused by law changes on the east coast of Florida.

The new Fishing law is as follows:

FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management
September 2009 Hot Sheet – Marine Fisheries Management

South Atlantic

Action: Federal Regulation Changes in the South Atlantic
Information: New regulations for all shallow-water grouper species in federal waters of the Atlantic took effect July 29, 2009. These regulations are:

• January through April closed to all commercial and recreational harvest of gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper and tiger grouper

• The grouper aggregate bag limit reduced to 3 groupers

• Reduced bag limit to one gag or one black grouper (combined) within the three grouper aggregate bag limit

Timeline: New grouper regulations in federal waters of the Atlantic took effect on July 29, 2009. Other federal changes to Atlantic grouper regulations are anticipated for sometime in 2010. The FWC will address potential rule changes to become consistent with federal regulations at the September 2009Commission Meeting.

[SpearMax]

Here is the KLO flyer being mailed out with the registration forms. If anyone would like the package snail-mailed to them, please PM your address to me. Thanks, Tony

[keezdiver]

good work on the rule change.

[GUNRUNNER]

Just to clarify, are East Coast red snapper in or out?

[biggsy]

With the advent of the new Amberjack closure we are doing some clarification on the rules and will answer any of the questions that have been posed shortly.

[smilinmatt]

What about changing the cobia/aj category to "pelagic". Open it to legal jacks, cobia, scombrid, and dolphin?

[FISH911]

By adding a sea cucumber category you'd attract more Key West shooters.

[biggsy]

What about changing the cobia/aj category to "pelagic". Open it to legal jacks, cobia, scombrid, and dolphin? I am discussing this option as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

[BlueWaterHunter]

Spearo seeking boat/ team.

[jfjf]

I am discussing this option as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

I think Tony shoud be forward looking and show some leadership in this regard. He should act responsibly and now make the contest based on the two largest grunts. That way he won't have to keep changing the rules every few months as the regulators shut down each recreational fishery....:(:(:(

[Gradyman]

I think Tony shoud be forward looking and show some leadership in this regard. He should act responsibly and now make the contest based on the two largest grunts. That way he won't have to keep changing the rules every few months as the regulators shut down each recreational fishery....:(:(:(

Amen to that Jim! We could add lionfish to the score card...the weighmasters would love that, huh!

[IRONHEAD]

is there going to be a largest intact sand dollar category for next years tournament? that is about all we will have left.

[smilinmatt]

Amen to that Jim! We could add lionfish to the score card...the weighmasters would love that, huh!

You can't even count on that, there's already one freshwater invasive species that enjoys protection from harvest. :rolleyes:

is there going to be a largest intact sand dollar category for next years tournament? that is about all we will have left.

I know a spot of Jupiter that's got some giant sand dollars. For the tournament, will a sea bisquit be considered a sand dollar or sea urchin?

[biggsy]

New rules and clarifications for the KLO have been posted here. KLO Rules (http://spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=94807)

I've also attached the new rules to this post.

[biggsy]

It's getting closer! Captain's meeting is this Thursday. Tournament day is Saturday with the weigh-in Sunday. Hope to see everyone there.

[Hat-Nasty]

NOAA is calling for 5-7 foot seas nearshore and 8-10 foot seas in the gulf stream Saturday. I hope this damn Northeast wind blows itself out before Saturday.

[GUNRUNNER]

NOAA is calling for 5-7 foot seas nearshore and 8-10 foot seas in the gulf stream Saturday. I hope this damn Northeast wind blows itself out before Saturday.

I feel your pain! Were looking pretty bad too. I hope the gulf levels out the playing field.

ALTAMAHA SOUND GA TO FERNANDINA BEACH FL 20 NM TO 60 NM OFFSHORE-
FERNANDINA BEACH TO ST AUGUSTINE FL 20 NM TO 60 NM OFFSHORE-
ST AUGUSTINE TO FLAGLER BEACH FL 20 NM TO 60 NM OFFSHORE-
1025 PM EST MON NOV 2 2009
FRIDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 8 FEET.

SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET.

[Gradyman]

Our area showing 6-8 for Saturday offshore & 4-6 for inside 20 miles...with 15-20knts...too big for me. Even if it slacks vis may be nill...we'll see.

[smilinmatt]

I'm spearing in the Keys for the tournament, and it's showing 15-20 right now. Same forecast for my area (Tampa). Maybe this will be the tournament where some guy shooting under a bridge with two snapper and two sheepshead wins it. :D

[PropMan]

Our area showing 6-8 for Saturday offshore & 4-6 for inside 20 miles...with 15-20knts...too big for me. Even if it slacks vis may be nill...we'll see.

What about your secret cave drops , I heard from Newman on
Dykoke that you have some very sweet honey holes.
My $ says you'll do just fine ,good luck.

[Gradyman]

What about your secret cave drops , I heard from Newman on
Dykoke that you have some very sweet honey holes.
My $ says you'll do just fine ,good luck.

no vis no problem...BUT...40 miles in 5-7ftrs with 15-20knts...get the helicopter mamma...we're going diving!!!:D I'm out if we keep a Nov 7th tourn.:(

[biggsy]

Just a reminder, Next Thursday is the Captain's Meeting. Please see the above post of this thread for more info.