This year will be a little different, a few things have been changed to encourage more participation and hopefully a better, more competitive tournament in general. The tournament is open to anyone, from North Carolina waters, all the way over to Texas. That means North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Please read the rules in full.

• Regular registration Dates: Dec 1st-Feb 1st Tournament Starts February 15th and ends December 15th (Last submissions due by the 20th)
• Rules are subject to change. Any changes will be posted on the website and Facebook group. It is up to the participant to know the rules before you enter fish.
• $100 Registration Fee - 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
• Shooters 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)

SUBMITTING FISH

• All submissions must be submitted onto the Facebook group and the website no later than 5 days after the fish is harvested.
• You must spear and land your fish with a witness to the catch.
• Commercially speared fish are allowed. However, only fish that are also open to the recreational diver in the area where fish are being harvested can be entered. For example, if Gag Grouper is closed for the recreational diver, a commercial Gag Grouper cannot be entered until the season opens in the area the fish is harvested.
• All fisheries laws and regulations must be complied with for the area the fish are captured. Breach of any fisheries laws and regulations, or suspected breach, will be sufficient ground for disqualification.
• Only fish landed in the South East (North Carolina- Texas) can be entered. Fish cannot be entered from Bahamian or Mexico waters. This means the boat must leave from a dock in one of those states, and you must return to a dock in one of those states.
• All submissions must include:
  • A video of the fish that clearly shows the length of the fish, as well as the date and time (Preferably on a time synced device such as a phone or smartwatch). UP loaded to the Private shooters page.
  • A photo clearly showing the whole fish with the tape extended on the fish uploaded to the private shooters page.
  • A photo of the diver holding the fish. Uploaded to the website.
• Take multiple photos or videos of the fish that clearly shows the length of the fish. Take many photos and videos from numerous angles to help protect yourself and your entry in the event of an official length/measurement dispute/challenge.
• All measurements must start at the fork of the tail, with the tape measure pulled tight across the body to the nose. There must be hands, dive weights, clips or some mechanism holding the tape measure tight from the tail to the nose of the fish, not allowing for any wrinkles or “dripping” of tape measure. Photos must be taken from directly above the fish. Videos should start at the tail and finish over the mouth, with the entire measurement of the fish in frame showing the requirements during a measure. ALL FISH MOUTHS MUST BE RESTING. Hogfish cannot be measured with a protruding snout. Large groupers must show a sufficient effort to close gill plates and mouth to avoid length extension during measurements. (We understand that rigor mortis takes place when properly iced)
• Fish are measured to the closest quarter inch (round down to avoid conflict) and must beat previous fish by at least a quarter inch to overtake its spot on the leader board.
• The head must be completely connected to the body. If the “throat” is disconnected as a result of spearing, the head must be placed back in line with the body. If there is a disconnect visible in the submitted photos, the admins will review and determine if a penalty is to be assessed.
• Dishonest or improper measurements will result in an administration vote for measurement correction in addition to additional corrective action leading up to permanent expulsion from the tournament.
• To officially submit your entry you must use the online form under the submissions tab on the Southeastspearfishing.com website and follow instructions to submit. You must also share your catch on the facebook group page including all of the information used to submit on the website
• Participants can enter fish in both Freedive and SCUBA categories.
• Participants can only win one category in each division. If a participant shoots the largest fish in multiple categories, the participant must choose which category they win.
• All submissions will be reviewed within 48 hours before being officially accepted, in that time it is encouraged to keep the fish intact and on ice until the submission is accepted.
• All submissions will be accepted after 48 hours if not reviewed by an admin. Upon reviewing if there are any major discrepancies the admin will reach out and within 48 hours to correct any of the discrepancies. If shooter and admin cannot come to an agreement then submission will be voided.

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 The longest length per species can be entered per team. (Ex: 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 length of fish and the most species at the end of the year will be crowned South East Spearfishing's Scuba TOP DOG!
• Post pictures the same way you would for any other category, on the website and the Facebook group.
• Participant with the longest total length of fish and most categories filled is the winner.
• 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.