Convict Calcutta
Each winter The Florida Skin Divers Association (FSDA) invites all Spearfisherman, Woman, and Juniors to participate in the competition and camaraderie in the fist tournament of the season, the Convict Calcutta. This is a sheepshead tournament, affectionally named convicts due to their black and white stripes. As such, sheepshead are the only eligible fish in the tournament. This one-day tournament is typically held in Tampa Bay on the second Saturday in December. Recognition will be given on individual levels based upon an aggregate point scoring system. Additional recognition will be given to the individual turning in the single largest fish of the tournament.
2024 Convict Rules:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1511354106159420
Agenda / Rules:
1. This Tournament will be a one-day tournament held on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at The Gandy Bridge Beach (Redneck Riviera), identified as the southwest side of the Gandy Bridge, just west of the large Radio tower. Final weather determination will be made after the Friday, 5:00 pm forecast, and will be posted on the Facebook event page. Alternate tournament date will be Sunday, December 4th, 2022.
2. Registration will be held on the day of the tournament from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
3. The cost will be $25.00 per FSDA member, or $45.00 for non-FSDA member (includes annual FSDA membership dues thru end of 2025). There is an optional Largest fish Calcutta, specifics will be discussed at the Captain’s Meeting.
4. No Diving Limits. Participants may dive anywhere in Tampa Bay ( aka Coles Bay) inside of The Skyway Bridge so as long as they depart and return from the tournament starting point at the Gandy Bridge Beach. Shore divers and kayak divers are encouraged to compete.
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 beach at 8:45am sharp.
7. This Tournament will start at 9:00 am and end at 2:00 pm. At 9:00 am after the Captain’s Meeting, competitors may safely leave and head out to hunt the waters of Tampa Bay. All competitors must be back at the beach and in the weigh-in line, no later than 2:00 pm.
8. All competitors and fish must be in weigh-in line by the 2:00pm cut off time. No exceptions!!
9. Boats are the sole responsibility of each competitor. Breakdowns of any type are no excuse for not returning to the dock in time for the 2:00 pm cut off. Any competitor that arrives at the weigh-in line after 2:00 pm cut-off may be disqualified.
10. Fish: All fish must be 13 inches total length, iced properly, and secured on a stringer per competitor. Competitor must present largest fish to weigh-in crew. All fish belong to the competitors. Do not discard fish on the beach!
11. Awards: Honors will be given to the Top 3 competitors, 1st Place Female, 1st Place Junior, and overall Largest Fish. Awards will be presented following the weigh-in.
12. Scoring: Scoring will be the overall weight of each diver’s stringer, consisting of eight (
total sheepshead (in accordance with Florida State law).
13. Tiebreaker: A tie aggregate score will be broken by honors going to the individual with the overall largest fish. A tie largest fish score will be determined by individuals aggregate score divided by number of fish, honors going to largest score.
14. Juniors: Competitors younger than 15 on the day of the tournament are considered for this division.
15. The Big Fish Competition: will be calculated separately from aggregate weight. Competitors may enter their single largest fish. Heaviest fish wins.
16. Disqualification: Violation of any State Laws, Unsportsmanlike conduct, or tournament rules may result in disqualification.
17. Protest: Any diver or boat driver may file a protest with the tournament committee. A protest committee will be formed. All decisions of this committee are final.
18. Observers are not required. This tournament is for honor. Please follow the rules and be sure that you deserved to be honored.
19. This is a fun competition, please dive safe and enjoy the day.
20. All entry fees will be paid via cash or electronic transfer (Venmo, PayPal, etc.) at the Captain’s Meeting prior to tournament start.For additional information contact Austin Cave @ (727-389-4230 or email cavediver17@gmail.com. All tournament updates will be annotated on the Facebook Tournament Page and shall be reiterated at the Captain’s Meeting prior to the tournament start.
Agenda / Rules:
1. This Tournament will be a one-day tournament held on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at The Gandy Bridge Beach (Redneck Riviera), identified as the southwest side of the Gandy Bridge, just west of the large Radio tower. Final weather determination will be made after the Friday, 5:00 pm forecast, and will be posted on the Facebook event page. Alternate tournament date will be Sunday, December 4th, 2022.
2. Registration will be held on the day of the tournament from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
3. The cost will be $25.00 per FSDA member, or $45.00 for non-FSDA member (includes annual FSDA membership dues thru end of 2025). There is an optional Largest fish Calcutta, specifics will be discussed at the Captain’s Meeting.
4. No Diving Limits. Participants may dive anywhere in Tampa Bay ( aka Coles Bay) inside of The Skyway Bridge so as long as they depart and return from the tournament starting point at the Gandy Bridge Beach. Shore divers and kayak divers are encouraged to compete.
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 beach at 8:45am sharp.
7. This Tournament will start at 9:00 am and end at 2:00 pm. At 9:00 am after the Captain’s Meeting, competitors may safely leave and head out to hunt the waters of Tampa Bay. All competitors must be back at the beach and in the weigh-in line, no later than 2:00 pm.
8. All competitors and fish must be in weigh-in line by the 2:00pm cut off time. No exceptions!!
9. Boats are the sole responsibility of each competitor. Breakdowns of any type are no excuse for not returning to the dock in time for the 2:00 pm cut off. Any competitor that arrives at the weigh-in line after 2:00 pm cut-off may be disqualified.
10. Fish: All fish must be 13 inches total length, iced properly, and secured on a stringer per competitor. Competitor must present largest fish to weigh-in crew. All fish belong to the competitors. Do not discard fish on the beach!
11. Awards: Honors will be given to the Top 3 competitors, 1st Place Female, 1st Place Junior, and overall Largest Fish. Awards will be presented following the weigh-in.
12. Scoring: Scoring will be the overall weight of each diver’s stringer, consisting of eight (
total sheepshead (in accordance with Florida State law).13. Tiebreaker: A tie aggregate score will be broken by honors going to the individual with the overall largest fish. A tie largest fish score will be determined by individuals aggregate score divided by number of fish, honors going to largest score.
14. Juniors: Competitors younger than 15 on the day of the tournament are considered for this division.
15. The Big Fish Competition: will be calculated separately from aggregate weight. Competitors may enter their single largest fish. Heaviest fish wins.
16. Disqualification: Violation of any State Laws, Unsportsmanlike conduct, or tournament rules may result in disqualification.
17. Protest: Any diver or boat driver may file a protest with the tournament committee. A protest committee will be formed. All decisions of this committee are final.
18. Observers are not required. This tournament is for honor. Please follow the rules and be sure that you deserved to be honored.
19. This is a fun competition, please dive safe and enjoy the day.
20. All entry fees will be paid via cash or electronic transfer (Venmo, PayPal, etc.) at the Captain’s Meeting prior to tournament start.For additional information contact Austin Cave @ (727-389-4230 or email cavediver17@gmail.com. All tournament updates will be annotated on the Facebook Tournament Page and shall be reiterated at the Captain’s Meeting prior to the tournament start.