2025 South East Spearfishing Tournament – Begins

Regular registration Dates:

• Dec 1st – Apr 1st
• Tournament Start Date: February 15th
• Tournament End Date: December 15th (Last submissions due by the 20th)

Rules are subject to change. Any changes will be posted on the website and the Facebook group. It is the participant’s responsibility to be aware of any updates before submitting fish.

Registration Fee: $100

Shooters Package includes:

• • SE Spearfishing Tape Measure
  • SE Spearfishing Hat (Subsidized by Speared Gear)
  • SE Spearfishing Shirt (Subsidized by Speared Gear)
  • Neritic Diving Gloves

Extras:

• The shooter’s package will arrive prior to Feb 15th for regular registration.
• Late Registration: $110 and there is a 7-day delay on fish submissions. (We cannot guarantee the arrival time of the tape and shooter packages for late entries.)
• Registration after official start: There will be a 7-day delay on fish submissions on everyone who registers after the official start.

SUBMITTING FISH

• Submission Deadline: All submissions must be posted to the Facebook group and website no later than 5 days after the fish is harvested.
• Fish Landing: The fish must be speared and landed with a witness to the catch.
• Commercially Speared Fish: Commercially speared fish are allowed, but only those that are open to recreational divers in the area where the fish was harvested can be entered. For example, if Gag Grouper is closed for recreational divers, a commercial Gag Grouper cannot be entered until the season opens in that area.
• Fisheries Compliance: All fisheries laws and regulations must be complied with for the area the fish is harvested. A breach of any fisheries laws or regulations may result in disqualification.
• Region: Only fish landed in Southeastern U.S. waters (North Carolina – Texas) can be entered. Fish cannot be entered from Bahamian or Mexican waters. The boat must leave from a dock in one of these states and return to a dock in one of these states.

All submissions must include:

• A video of the fish showing the length, as well as the date and time (preferably from a time-synced device such as a phone or smartwatch). Upload to the private shooter’s page.
• A photo clearly showing the fish with the tape measure extended across the body. Upload to the private shooter’s page.
• A photo of the diver holding the fish. Upload to the website.

Example Submission Format (on Facebook):

• Shooter Name
• Shooter ID
• Division
• Species
• Measurement
• Witness
• Video and Pictures

Measurement Guidelines:

• Measurements must start at the fork of the tail, with the tape measure pulled tight across the body to the mouth.
• Photos must be taken from directly above the fish.
• Videos should start at the tail and finish at the mouth, showing the full measurement of the fish in frame.
• All fish mouths must be resting.
• Large groupers must show sufficient effort to close gill plates and mouth to avoid length extension during measurements.
• Lionfish are measured in centimeters.
• Fish Measurement: Fish are measured to the nearest quarter inch (round down to avoid conflict).

Head Connection:

• The head must remain completely connected to the body during measurement. If the throat is disconnected due to spearing, the head must be placed back in line with the body.

Review Process for Submissions:

• All submissions will be reviewed within 48 hours before being officially accepted. During this time, it is encouraged to keep the fish intact and on ice until the submission is accepted.
• If a submission is not reviewed within 48 hours, it will be accepted automatically.
• If any major discrepancies are found during review, the admin will reach out to the participant within 48 hours to address and correct the discrepancies.
• If the shooter and admin cannot reach an agreement, the submission will be voided.

Dishonest or improper measurements may result in corrective action, including permanent expulsion from the tournament.

TEAM Freedive

• Team Freedive will consist of two person teams
• The overall score will be the best length of each species from either diver on the team.
• 14 fish will be entered per team.
• Both members of the team must be present that day in order to submit a valid entry.
• Teams must be specified during the registration period and cannot be changed.

Scuba TOP Dog

• The participant with the longest total length of fish and the most species at the end of the year will be crowned Florida Spearfishing’s Scuba TOP DOG.
• Post pictures the same way you would for any other category, on the website and Facebook group.
• Only one fish from each species will count toward Scuba Top Dog total length.
• Rules for Scuba TOP DOG category are the same as regular entries.

Calcutta Rules:

• Unlimited Wins: Participants who enter the calcuttas may win any number of categories they have entered. There are no restrictions on the number of calcuttas a single participant can win.
• Purchase Window: Calcuttas will be available for purchase from the start of registration up to the tournament start date. Entries will close once the tournament officially begins.
• Eligibility: Only participants who have completed their registration for the tournament are eligible to enter the calcuttas.
• Scoring: The same rules as the tournament apply—the longest fish wins in each calcutta category.

Mini Tournament Rules:

• Duration: The mini tournament will take place over a specific, shorter timeframe (e.g., one weekend or a set of predetermined dates).
• Eligibility: Open to all registered participants of the main tournament — no additional registration required.
• Scoring: Winners are determined by the longest fish in each category, following the same rules as the main tournament.
• Categories: Categories for each mini tournament will be announced before the start of the event.
• Prizes: Separate prizes will be awarded for the mini tournament, and participants may win in both the main tournament and the mini tournament.