August 3, 2016

Rules

These rules are designed to keep everyone safe and keep the event fair, and fun.

If you can’t operate within the rules please consider a different event.

Nothing takes the fun out of diving, even in competitions, faster than those who choose to break the rules. These events are designed to build our sport, so if you’re the competitive type that feels the need to push and test every rule, this is not the event for you.

Any of these infractions may be grounds for disqualification, of an individual, a team, or the complete country.

1-Poor sportsmanship.

There is NO chumming allowed at any time.

2-This event is freediving only. No SCUBA use at any time.

Muscle powered spears only. No loaded guns out of the water at any time.

No underwater propulsion devices are allowed at any time.

3-A maximum of 10 days of scouting is allowed per team, 4 months before the event. Honor system

There is no spearfishing in the event area 30 days before the event. April 17 will be the last day competitors can shoot anything in this region.

4-Competitors will keep their catches separated in well-marked containers. Fish need to be landed by each individual diver and fish may not be shared or traded.

Fish must be shot the day of the event during the hours of the event only.

5-All local, state, national rules must be followed as well as any rules implemented for the event.

Each Diver shall dive with a buoy and a dive flag.

In this boat based meet both divers will be aboard a single boat and the captain must be able to  access any divers quickly and safely. More then one team may dive from a boat.

Divers may not dive individually from there own boats.

6-Electronics: lights, watches, GPS, Fish finders are all legal to use. There is no spearfishing allowed 30 days before the event in the event area.

7- Teams shall check in before the start of the meet, and check out at the end of the meets to confirm their safe return.

Competitors meeting is mandatory for all and there will be a roll call and introduction for each competitor by their Captain.

All events will start and end with the use of a horn or signal devise. Staging area is Boulder harbor launch ramp SW side of the lake.

Time shall be kept on a GPS- cell phone time devise.

You may not leave the diving boundaries except in the case of an emergency.

Don’t leave before the start horn or come back late. There will be a buoy line as a start and finish line

8-Each diver shall carry a legal fishing license for days they plan to hunt.

Hunting is allowed outside of the event area or below the Hoover Dam at any time. The water below the Dam is about 25 degrees colder, and the striper are much bigger

Boundaries can be found in the map section below. It will encompass the entire bottom section of Lake Mead. This area is called the lower Basin and the boundry line is just north of Carvel harbor.

It will be the no ski zone buoy line as you enter into the narrows.

9-Divers may choose to dive from shore or kayaks but must start from the same starting area as everyone else. Shore based divers may drive and dive in the event area as long as they are back on time, and dive together

You can  plan on 6 hour event days, and approximately 30 minute travel times before and after the dive time.

Please review the local rules that don’t allow diving too close to marinas or floating tire breakwaters. Fishermen anchored in boats or fishing from shore need to be given room if they were there first. Please be courteous as we are always are being watched and want to leave a good impression with the public.

 

Nevada Spearfishing Rules

RULES REVIEW FOR WFSC
After speaking to our local Dept Of Wildlife Warden, he asked that I review a few rules that should be made clear before you all get to Lake Mead and start scouting.
All these will be on the web site and reviewed again at the Briefing May 15th, 6pm, Railroad Pass Casino.

NO DIVE ZONES:
There is a state rule that you can not dive with in 1/2 mile of a harbor or swim beach.
That is equal to 880 yds or 805 meters. So please be aware of this and just stay away from the 2 marinas. Also there is a long swim beach area between the Boulder Harbor boat ramp (our staging area) and to the right – East to the LV Boat Harbor. This full length of beach is off limits for diving, it is also not that productive , so less area to scout.
There are a couple small bathroom floating docks, you may dive around them.
Fishermen on shore and in boats anchored have the right to be there first and fish their zone. Please give them a wide birth and surface swim beyond their fishing zone before you start diving again. Being friendly to these fishermen is always a good idea to keep the peace.
Boats trolling where your hunting: Your dive Flag should be respected by other boats but few recognizes them so keep your eyes open for on coming traffic in both directions. Try to make a friendly pass by, if boats need to troll past you. Just getting out of their way for a 1 minute, it can avoid a lot of tension.
House boats hang out in lots of the coves and need to be avoided as well. giving a 200 foot space keeps everyone happy.
The northern boundary for the event is a NO WATER SKIING buoy line just 2 miles north of Callville Harbor – bay. This is where the lake narrows to only 70 mt wide. It is also very steep & deep diving and not very fishy. If you wish to practice spearfishing travel north of these narrows into the shallow parts of the northern lake area.

DIVE FLAGS:
Diving around other competitors is fair game but not productive, give each other some space.
When picking up your divers, Captains should avoid other divers by 100 ft . Always approach slowly and carefully when all divers are on the surface.
All divers need to drag a red and white divers flag on a line not more then 100ft away, with them, everywhere .
All dive boats should also carry a divers flag to help other boats identify that divers are in the area.
Captains of boats should be close enough to their divers for safety and to support them, while giving them enough room to focus on the competition.
There needs to be at least 2 competitive divers on each boat.

FISH:
All fish need to be shot the day of the meet and be kept in separate containers with ICE.
No chumming
Only Striper will be counted on May 18th, 3 points per fish You are allowed only 20 over 20”. Most fish are just under 20”, mark you guns and keep track. Unlimited under 20″
Only Carp will be counted on May19th, 1 point per fish.
Your 1 biggest fish will be weighted each day and the biggest one will break any scores that are ties. You must pick this fish at or before the wt table.
You may use a scale on your boat or while your in line.
**A tie will happen in this event , so it is important to pick your biggest fish each day no matter how small you think they may be.
There is no spearfishing in the event region 30 days before the event. However guns with out shafts and pole spears with out heads or bungees may be dove with.

Black bass (large and small mouth) are not allowed to be shot.     Razor back chubs are endangered and not allowed to be shot.

 
 LOGISTICS

DIVE plans are the same for both day:

Bounder harbor launch ramp is where we check in and out, start and finish the tournament and do the wt ins.

8-8:30 am Check IN that your teams is ready to go and receive any last minute instructions. One person per team can do this.

8:30-9 Travel time. a horn will signal the departure time from the no wake buoy zone just out side the harbor. Don’t cross the line before the horn signals GPS 8:30am

9-3:00 Diving is allowed in the lower basin only. Do not enter the water until 9:00 GPS – phone time. Captains must play safety for there divers.

3:00 Unloaded guns must be out of the water. Pick up your divers quickly after that.

3-3:30 Travel time to be in the same buoy line as departing. 1 second late disqualifies your team, for the day. DON’T BE LATE!

3-6 Weigh in at the top of the boat ramp by the bathroom. Stay with your fish and keep them cool and wet.

You will pick your biggest fish each day, and sign that your fish were counted correctly. Upon signing there is no recourse on your score.

Scores will be posted there and on the web site for late viewing, Drinks and snacks will be available for divers and WFSC support.

Stay Hydrated as the lake and region is very warm. Bring food both days, keep your energy up
Section VIII, Protests

All protests need to be turned in to the head weigh master with in 1 hour of the last fish being weighed or sooner. Protest needs to be in writing and include a $100 deposit, refundable only if protest is won.

Protest committee shall be drawn from 5 different countries, that are not involved in the protest. The Captains for each of these countries shall vote. They shall hear both sides of the protest and cast 1 vote each to disqualify the individual or team or not. It will take 4 out of 5 votes to enact a disqualification. All decisions are final. Weigh master or Hosting chairperson shall mediate over this process asap.

Teams that continue to show poor sportsmen conduct may, by the same voting system be refused the diving opportunity for the next event.

This is not limited to just a single diver or team, but may apply to all the teams in their country.

LEAD:
We are Grateful to have Waterworld Scuba as a sponsoring local dive shop. Please contact Ron Dalke to reserve your lead for free.
They will also have back up dive gear, flags, tag lines, stringers, guns, and souvenir shirts.
Waterworld Scuba, 789 Middlegate Rd. Henderson, NV 89011 T: (702) 425-3428 C: (702) 420-6103 WaterworldScuba.com

As a back up only, use these locals to help you with FREE loaner lead. Bring your own wt belts. Email your request to the correct person.
New Zealand see Scott Mackereth <scott.focal@gmail.com
Hawaii & USA see Courtney Esprecion <hawndiver@hotmail.com
Cuba & Bahamas see Ryan Peterson <ryan.peterson91@hotmail.com
South Africa see Ted juniperhollowoutdoors@gmail.com
Australia & see Courtney Esprecion <hawndiver@hotmail.com ,
Zimbabwe & Canada & Russia see Brandon Oosthuysen oosthuysenbrandon63@gmail.com