2008 St. Pete Open ---- The big fish extravaganza is coming!

[SpearMax]

I always have a blast at the St. Pete Open every year in August. Last year, I took second place grouper and had a great time. The SPUCs do a super job of running this event. This year the 43rd annual St. Pete Open will be held on August 16 & 17, 2008. The details of the tournament are presented here at this link:

http://www.spearfishingspuc.org/

[Dean Palmer]

The St Pete Open information can also be found at www.StPeteOpen.com

We are adding new information as it becomes available.

2008 is already coming together to be the biggest and best SPO ever!

[SpearMax]

Originally Posted by Dean Palmer

The St Pete Open information can also be found at www.StPeteOpen.com

We are adding new information as it becomes available.

2008 is already coming together to be the biggest and best SPO ever!

Dean - you and the SPO team did a super job last year. I am glad you and I spent some quality time talking at the awards ceremony. Newcomers should seriously consider shooting this tournament. The "Big Fish" format works really well and the rankings go by rounds of the fish categories. Check out this link for results to see how it works.

http://www.spearfishingspuc.org/SPO_...7_Results.html

The St. Pete Underwater Club members like Dean (SPUCs) run a first class tournament that is very challenging. The venue at the Holiday Inn is superb and their prize table and trophies rock! That's my quick assessment of the fun to be had! Tony

[Gamble]

The freedivers need to step up this year and make a showing!! I look forward to seeing everyone there.

[SpearMax]

I second that Gamble!

[Red Tide]

This years tournament should be a blast. The water conditions are shaping up nicely. Lots of great fish reports from up and down the Gulf Coast. Even if you do not shoot in the tournament you should come and see the weigh in on Saturday night. It is amazing how big the fish and lobsters are in this tournament.

[SpearMax]

Originally Posted by Red Tide

This years tournament should be a blast. The water conditions are shaping up nicely. Lots of great fish reports from up and down the Gulf Coast. Even if you do not shoot in the tournament you should come and see the weigh in on Saturday night. It is amazing how big the fish and lobsters are in this tournament.

Thanks for the update GR.

To help make sign-up easy, here is a direct link to the SPO rules, registration form and waiver.

http://www.spearfishingspuc.org/SPO_...8_Shooter.html

By the way everyone, GR is the revered weighmaster of the SPO.

[Denny]

Hope to see everyone there.

I heard it is another record prize table. It gets bigger and better every year.

If you shoot fish, you should shoot in the Open. Last year, the last place shooter still had $100 prizes to choose from.

The weigh-in is a spectacle in itself, with a waterfront venue, stage, the BILLY HOWELL FORD LEADERBOARD, and of course the BIG FISH. Grab a beverage and walk the line of coolers.

Meet new friends. Hang with old friends.

[Dean Palmer]

The prize table is bigger than ever, including a full-size custom pool table from Craftmaster!!!

Be sure to get your pre-registration postmarked by this Saturday, August 9. It is only $70 again this year, $40 for juniors.

We have now opened up all categories to women and juniors!

There may still be rooms available by calling the Holiday Inn Sunspree at 727.867.1151

Tournament info can be found at www.StPeteOpen.com. Every shooter will receive a long sleeve "Shooter" designated shirt with his/her entry fee. Grand Poobah, Ritchie Zacker will be on hand Friday night to autograph shirts on request, this alone would justify your entry fee.

All pre-registered shooters have shirt size preference. We ordered only enough "Shooter" shirts to cover the average number of entries and are not guaranteed for late entries. We are not able to reorder, so register early and bring a friend to register with you. The later you register, the fewer shirts are left.

We also ordered far fewer retail tournament shirts with the artwork on the back. Our goal is to sell out of shirts during the tournament. Once again, sizes and colors are limited so you might consider ordering via paypal now at www.StPeteOpen.com. Unsold shirts will be available starting at Friday night's captain meeting and continue until sold out(hopefully Saturday night).

Friday night captain's meeting is mandatory for at least one paid member of each boat. Don't forget to bring all waivers and entry forms for each team member that have been signed and witnessed, money for those not yet paid. The captain's meeting starts at 6:00pm until 8:30pm. Tournament begins at 9pm.

Weigh-in line closes Saturday at 7:30pm. Weigh-in starts at 6pm. Drinking begins when you are done diving, and will continue late into the night.

The awards ceremony is Sunday at 10am in the banquet room. Refreshments will be served in the back of the room along with bowls of Tylenol.

We have done a lot of work this year to make this the biggest party in Spearfishing and we look forward to seeing everyone compete.

[Omerkid]

Good luck to all and safe diving!

[SpearMax]

Originally Posted by Dean Palmer

Grand Poobah, Ritchie Zacker will be on hand Friday night to autograph shirts on request, this alone would justify your entry fee.

Yes indeed! The Grand Poobah is such a shy creature you better get that autograph before the end of his presidential term at the end of the 2008 SPO!

[Slider136]

Results?

[SpearMax]

Jason Delacruz won again. Congratulations to all the winners!

See the photos here:

http://www.spearfishingspuc.org/Gall..._SPO/index.htm

[Tyler Durden]

All I got to say is that was perhaps the best tournament I have ever been to. 226 entrants with 90% of those entrants weighing fish. IMO, everything was absolutely flawless!!!! Thanks a million to Ritchie Zacker, the SPUCs, and especially the SPONSORS!!! The prize table was incredible!!! The top prize pick was a $4000 custom made billiard table by Craftmaster!!! And the person who won it was none other than Jason Delacruz, for the second year in a row, with a 96.5 lb gutted black!!!!

[kill shot]

Originally Posted by Tyler Durden

All I got to say is that was perhaps the best tournament I have ever been to. 226 entrants with 90% of those entrants weighing fish. IMO, everything was absolutely flawless!!!! Thanks a million to Ritchie Zacker, the SPUCs, and especially the SPONSORS!!! The prize table was incredible!!! The top prize pick was a $4000 custom made billiard table by Craftmaster!!! And the person who won it was none other than Jason Delacruz, for the second year in a row, with a 96.5 lb gutted black!!!!

Anyone have a pic of that slob?