By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 3, 2011
What's hot: Red snapper are back on the take list. These fish are almost everywhere in depths of more than 100 feet, and the farther north you move up the Gulf Coast, the shallower these fish are. This is a short season. It started Wednesday and lasts only through July 23. Anyone who has dived on wrecks and good hard-bottom areas more than 25 miles from shore can attest to the large influx of these fish in our waters. For divers, we finally get to spear the fish that have constantly been in our way. For months one of the hardest things for spearfishermen to do is to try to see past the red snapper while hunting other fish.
Tournament news: The 48th Southern Open, the state spearfishing and underwater photography championships, is next weekend. This tournament has 14 divisions, for senior (age 50), junior (under 18), women's, free divers only and more. The spearing is June 11, and the weigh-in and awards will be June 12 at Gators on the Pass in Treasure Island. The weigh-in starts about 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public. Go to www.divefsda.com to find out how to sponsor, participate or attend.
Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 344-3483 or captainbillhardman@gmail.com.