2026 FSDA Freedive Spearfishing State Championship

Name: 2026 FSDA Freedive Spearfishing State Championship
Start: 2026-06-19T07:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-06-19T16:00:00-04:00
Location: Anclote River Park

Schedule

Fri Jun 19 2026 at 07:00 am to 04:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Anclote River Park | Holiday, FL

The Florida Skin Divers Association invites all Free dive spearfishermen and women to participate in the competition and camaraderie of the 2026 FSDA Freedive Spearfishing State Championship. This one-day tournament will be held in Tarpon Springs Florida on Friday, June 19th, 2026. Recognition will be given at both team and individual levels based upon an aggregate point system. Additional recognition will be given for the single largest fish of the tournament.
Team Trophies: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Individual Trophies: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Big Fish Trophy: 1st
Largest Sheepshead: $100 Gift Certificate
Largest Mangrove Snapper: $100 Gift Certificate
Largest Grunt: $100 Gift Certificate
Largest Hogfish: $100 Gift Certificate
This Tournament will be a one-day tournament held on Friday, June 19, 2026, at The Anclote River Park Boat Ramp. The Rain Date/ Small Craft Advisory date for this tournament will be Saturday June 20, 2026. The determination will be made after the June 18th 5:00 PM forecast and will be posted on the FSDA Facebook page. Final determination will be made at the Captain's Meeting if there are declining conditions.This Tournament will be a one-day tournament held on Friday, June 19, 2026, at The Anclote River Park Boat Ramp. The Rain Date/ Small Craft Advisory date for this tournament will be Saturday June 20, 2026. The determination will be made after the June 18th 5:00 PM forecast and will be posted on the FSDA Facebook page. Final determination will be made at the Captain's Meeting if there are declining conditions.
1. Pre-Registration is $140 per 3 man/woman team and must be received with the signed team waiver no later than June 15th, 2026.
a) A pdf scan of signed team waiver must be emailed to [email protected] and receipt of $140 payment by Venmo or Paypal cash App to G.R. Tarr no later than June15th, 2026.
b) Late Registration after the June 15th deadline will be only available on the day of the tournament and will be $180 for all teams. Cash, Check, Venmo and PayPal Accepted.
2. Teams will be comprised of 3 divers. Both men and woman teams may compete. Teams competing can include guest individuals from other councils, but only paid members of FSDA may qualify to represent The Florida Skin Divers Association at the 2026 USOA National Skindiving Championships in Hawaii. The top 3 Teams and Top 3 Individual Competitors will be qualified.
3. The Tournament Zone Area will be up to 10 miles north and 10 miles south of Anclote River Marker #1 and inside of 60 ft of water.
4. Any team may register at the boat ramp between 6:30 AM and 6:50 AM. Final Registration ends at 6:50 AM. FSDA member teams must be “members in good standing” with 2026 FSDA Member dues already paid in full.
5. All competitors must possess and present a valid State of Florida Fishing License to compete in the competition.
6. All Divers and Captains are Required to attend The Tournament Briefing / Captains Meeting, that will be held on the boat ramp dock at 6:50 AM Sharp.
7. This Tournament will start at 7:00 AM and end at 4:00PM. At 7:00 AM boats may safely leave the dock and head out to the last green channel marker #1. All boats are to stop at this marker and wait to be counted. At 7:25 AM all boats may leave the Marker #1 staging area and begin hunting.
8. All competitors and fish must be in the weigh-in line by the 4:00 PM cut off time.
9. Any competitor/team that arrives at the weigh-in line after the 4:00 PM cut-off will be disqualified.
10. Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place teams and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place individuals overall, as well as an award to the individual turning in the largest fish overall. All awards will be presented following the weigh-in.
11. Eligible fish categories, sizes and maximum per diver are as follows:
- *Mangrove/Yellowtail/Cubera Snapper – 12 inches overall – 5 per diver.
- *Hogfish – 14 inches to the fork of the tail – 5 per diver.
- *Grey Grunt – 12 inches overall – 5 per diver
- *Sheepshead – 12 inches overall – 8 per diver.
- *Flounder – 14 inches overall – 5 per diver.
- *Spanish Mackerel – 12 inches to the fork of the tail – 15 per diver.
- *Cobia– 36 inches to the fork of the tail – 1 per diver (2 per Boat Max)
- *Almaco Jacks- 14 inches to the fork of the tail – 5 per diver.
- *King Mackerel- 24 inches to the fork of the tail – 2 per diver.
- *Permit- 22 inches to the fork of the tail - 1 per diver (2 per Boat Max)
- Note: Current FWC Size and Bag Limits Will Apply
12. A total of 25 fish from the eligible fish categories may be turned in per diver. Each diver’s catch will be measured/weighed separately and must be on an individual fish stringer or kept in separate coolers or fish bags, prior to the weigh-in line.
13. If a diver turns more than 25 fish to the weigh-in station, the largest fish will be disallowed until only 25 fish remain. Also, if the total counts in any fish category exceeds state bag limits, the diver and his/her catch will be disqualified.
14. No swapping of fish between competitors and team members will be allowed.
15. Fish must be in fresh iced condition when presented to the weighmaster.
16. The scoring for the event will be calculated as follows: one point per pound, and one point per fish, 21 total points maximum per any one fish turned in. Examples: 8-pound fish = 8 points, plus 1 point, for a total of 9 points. A 32 lb fish = 20 points, plus 1 point, for 21 total points.
17. The Big Fish Competition will be calculated separately at the end of the weigh-in. Competitors wishing to enter their largest fish from the eligible fish categories may do so once all of the teams have weighed their days catch. The heaviest fish wins.
18. Disqualification: Unsportsmanlike conduct, Violation of any State Laws, or tournament rules may result in disqualification.
19. Protest: Any diver or boat driver may file a protest with the tournament chairperson. A protest committee will be formed of The Team Captains of each team present. The tournament Chairperson will vote as a tie breaker if necessary. All decisions of this committee are final.
20. Observers are not required: This tournament is for honor. Be sure that you deserve to be honored and follow all of the rules.
21. There will be no refund of registration fees for any reason.