By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com As many as 400 spear fishers from throughout Florida and the U.S. will gather in St. Petersburg Aug. 19-21 for the St. …
Pryde Group Water Sports Conference to Be Held at Old Bahama Bay, June 1-4
22 May 20147:36 PM
Pryde Group Americas manufacturers of premier watersports gear is coming to Guy Harvey Outpost’s Old Bahama Bay property. The Pryde Group’s well known brands include Cabrinha Kite Surfing, Imagine SUP, Neil Pryde Windsurfing, and NP Accessories. Representatives from throughout the Americas will be coming to Old Bahama Bay to test the latest products from the Pryde Group.
It is a complement to the great facilities and staff to have such a well known brand come to Old Bahama Bay. Guy Harvey Outpost is happy to welcome them.
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![](mailto:?subject=World’s Largest Spear Fishing Tournament to be Held in St. Petersburg&body=By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist
scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com
As many as 400 spear fishers from throughout Florida and the U.S. will gather in St. Petersburg Aug. 19-21 for the St. Pete Open-- the world's largest underwater hunting contest and one of the beach's biggest parties of the year.
Spearos will compete on scuba gear or simply dive down holding their breath using pole spear, Hawaiian sling, or spear gun to try to bag the biggest fish in each of seven categories. At stake are some $50,000 worth of prizes and trophies to be awarded at a huge public weigh-in party at the Magnuson Marina Cove Hotel & Resort.
"It's one day of intensive, bust-your-bottom spear fishing. Dive, dive, dive!" said Charlie Barnes, president of the St. Petersburg Underwater Club, which is putting on the contest for the 51st year. "We love the competition. We love the camaraderie and it's the biggest party in town."
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b-e1471009118288.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4188" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b-e1471009118288.jpg" alt="22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b" width="599" height="400" /></a>
Divers will fan out in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean hunting for mongo specimens in the categories of grouper; snapper; pelagic; hogfish; cobia/barracuda; lobster (hand-caught only; no spears); and sheepshead. New this year is a prize sub-category for lionfish. The tournament has no boundaries; however competitors must be in the weigh-in line by 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 20. Late comers will be disqualified.
Barnes, a veteran spear fisher himself, said the best strategy is to shoot fish in each of the categories, since only one fish per category can be entered. He said it's common for contestants to run 50 miles offshore to their hot spots, diving as deep as 200 feet in the hunt for big fish. Competitors must abide by all state and local fisheries laws, such as bag and size limits and closed seasons.
Entry fee is $100 per diver. Less than 300 slots remain open, so go <a href="http://www.StPeteUnderwaterClub.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> to register now!
For great deals from Guy Harvey Outpost, including the 'Suite Summer Saver Deal' at Guy Harvey Outpost in St. Pete Beach, visit our <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/specials/" target="_blank">SPECIALS PAGE</a> now!
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling, camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/worlds-largest-spear-fishing-tournament-to-be-held-on-st-pete-beach/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=2011 Billfish Invitational Wrap Up!&body=During this week’s Billfish Invitational tournament, Fred Garth, Editor-In-Chief of <a title="GHM web site" href="http://www.guyharveymagazine.com/" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Magazine</a>, will be filing a series of dispatches from tournament headquarters at the Bimini Big Game Club.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/renaissancegettingaward11.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-756 " title="Team Renaissance Getting Award" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/renaissancegettingaward11.jpg" alt="" width="495" height="320" /></a>Team Renaissance accepts the Hemingway-Lerner Trophy as the overall team at the 2011 Billfish Invitational. Presenting the trophy is sculptor Kent Ullberg.
After three days of hard fishing by more than 50 anglers, the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>'s <a title="Billfish Invitational web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com" target="_blank">Billfish Invitational</a> wrapped up on Saturday with the Renaissance/Team Varsity Jacket team winning fish place on a blue marlin caught the first day. Each team saw at least one billfish in the baits and most teams jumped at least one blue marlin. Four of the fish were reported at over 500 pounds and a couple were estimated in the 300-400 pound class.
Angler Mark Benka’s hooked the top blue fish and Renaissance/Varsity Jacket team also won first fish and top angler and received the striking stainless-steel, <a title="About the Hemingway-Lerner Trophy" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2011/04/29/hemingway-lerner-trophy-unveiled-for-guy-harveys-upcoming-billfish-invitational-in-bimini/" target="_blank">Hemmingway-Lerner Trophy</a>, crafted by world-famous wildlife sculptor <a title="Kent Ullberg's web site" href="http://www.kentullberg.net" target="_blank">Kent Ullberg</a>. In addition to recognizing the overall winning team, the Hemingway-Lerner Trophy represents the ideals of friendship, teamwork and the pursuit of sportfishing achievement.
Second place went to Team Mirage, with angler Darren Davis taking the top fish. Mirage called in a hook up each day and converted on the third day at 11:20am on a 200-plus pound blue marlin caught within sight of the marina. They released the fish within 10 minutes of the hook up. Mirage also had the potential winning sailfish for the tournament but was unable to convert. Rounding out their awards, Mirage also took the prize for last blue marlin and second place marlin.
In the fun fish division, Pete Woods’ Get Reel team brought in the largest dolphin at 30.6 pounds to take first place. Second place in fun fish and top lady angler awards went to Karen Wimmer on the vessel Conquest. The Billfish Invitational was their first tournament.
Third place in the fun fish and second place lady angler went to the El Viejo team with angler Caroline Ellert. The Hard Luck trophy went to Tedd Amberg of the Hillary Lynn team for his collision with a dolphin.
Some of the toughtest competition was in the most unusual catch category where Hells Bay Hoppers, who dove with a pod of pilot whales, missed taking a first place from Team Tagline, who was able to ride and “release” a whale shark in 2500 feet of water.
The closing ceremonies ended with another fabulous dinner and a sincere endorsement from <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a>, Bill Shedd, and Mark Ellert that next year’s tournament will be even better. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/2011-billfish-invitational-wrap-up/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=C. Davis Electric Onboard as Presenting Sponsor for Inaugural Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Davis-FamilyTeam.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3810 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Davis-FamilyTeam-300x195.jpg" alt="Davis FamilyTeam" width="300" height="195" /></a>ISLAMORADA, FL—MARCH 15, 2016— They say the family that fishes together stays together, and for South Florida’s Davis family that tradition also includes supporting the Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival—a June event that will combine fishing, conservation, research and marine science scholarships.
<a href="http://www.nova.edu">Nova Southeastern University</a> (NSU) and <a href="http://www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts</a> announced today that Miramar, Florida-based <a href="http://www.cdaviselectric.com">C. Davis Electric</a> has joined the tournament as a Presenting Sponsor, which includes two entries for the offshore tournament division and a shirt sponsorship. In total, a $25,000 commitment.
The goal of the non-profit tournament and festival, scheduled for June 16-19 2016, is to raise $100,000 for marine science scholarships. NSU’s <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/index.html">Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography</a>, home to the <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/ghri/index.html">Guy Harvey Research Institute</a> (GHRI), the <a href="http://www.nova.edu/ghoc/">Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center research building</a>, the Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystem Research and the <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/save-our-seas/index.html">Save Our Seas Shark Research Centre</a>, will administer scholarship funds donated through the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF).
“C. Davis Electric and the Davis family have been friends of NSU for many years, and this new tournament and festival is yet another way they can combine their love of NSU with their love of fishing and the ocean,” said Richard Dodge, Ph.D., the dean of NSU’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography. “We thank them for coming onboard as the signature sponsor— and for helping NSU students realize their potential by following their dreams.”
Davis Electric co-founder and owner Charles “Ed” Davis Jr. has long supported NSU, and the school’s annual sponsorship of the Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament, which this year was renamed the Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival and moved to Islamorada, known as “The Fishing Capital of the World”.
“We’re out fishing nearly every weekend in the Florida Keys,” said Mike Gagliano, a son-in-law and Davis Electric Executive VP. “As a family we fished Keys tournaments for over 20 years as we have a house and boats down there. Islamorada is a perfect spot for the tournament. This is such a great cause and we’re looking forward to the competition.”
Tournament Director Cliff Jensen said corporate team registration for the offshore division is $5,000 per team (six anglers), with the registration fee for Inshore anglers competing is $2,500 (three anglers). To register for the inshore/offshore division go to <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/blazing-mako/fishing.html">http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/blazing-mako/fishing.html</a>. The tournament will also feature cyber on-the-water release documentation for research using the IGOfish App.
In addition to the not-for-profit fishing tournament, expansive plans also are underway for innovative art exhibits, live music, conservation organization displays and local vendors, all showcased in a 100-tent “Conchservation Village” to be located at the host property, The Islander, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort. Also planned are a series of watersport competitions, (including a paddleboard competition), a Kids Pier Fishing Tournament, fishing seminars and a Rum Village.
As part of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts’ signature Bonfire Series fishing tournaments, a fish-themed sculpture is created by a local artist. The artist incorporates a conservation message with a “trash-to-treasure” concept, incorporating recycled material into a sculpture to be set ablaze.
In the case of the Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival, the sculpture will be a mako shark in the image of the NSU mascot. Local artist Pasta Pantaleo will incorporate steel with reclaimed parts to fashion together the mako cage with exposed beams. The cage will then be filled with non-toxic flammable materials to create the tournament’s signature bonfire. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/c-davis-electric-onboard-as-presenting-sponsor-for-inaugural-blazing-mako-tournament-festival/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Connecting With One Special Veteran&body=On this Veterans’ Day the staff at Guy Harvey Outpost would like to share a letter we received from a Veteran. This letter has moved each of us and we are honored to have Veterans as our guests.
Dear Anyone,
My name is Christian and I am a disabled veteran. I recently had an opportunity to spend time at the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost on Islamorda. I have to say it changed my life. I am writing Mr. Harvey and wondering if he would ever be interested in opening a facility in the islands for veterans? I know its crazy but I spent 3 days there and I slept more in three days than in years. I felt at peace and I didn't have bad dreams. I got to feel and smell and touch things without feeling anger or hate, I found my Jesus.. My wife Janet cried because for the first time in years I slept, and it was a beautiful sleep..
I bought a print of yours that hangs in my office at home. I look at it everyday and it brings me.. Hope, joy, peace.. I don't have a name like Guy Harvey but I believe your name can change the lives of veterans... The life style can release the anger and start the healing. I know this is a long shot and I don't expect much but what if we could open another resort? What if we could give them peace? What if we could save a generation from suffering and give them hope? No matter what happens I thank you. I am staying at the Islander again in July... No matter what I thank you for sleep.. I can never repay you for the peace I feel in Islamorada.
I hope and pray for you.. Thank you, Christian
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-veterans-day.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2334" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-veterans-day.png?w=550" alt="2014-Veterans-Day" width="550" height="430" /></a>
On Christian’s July visit he brought his family including his father (a former Navy SEAL). We look forward to the family's next visit.
See our response in the next Outpost Blog post.
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/connecting-with-one-special-veteran/){kind=link}
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