The Florida Skin Divers Association (FSDA) invites all Spearfisherman, Woman, and Juniors to participate in the competition and camaraderie of the Ray Odor Spearfishing Classic.On January 14th, 2019, the world lost a pioneer and legend in spearfishing, scuba and skin diving, Raymond “Ray” Odor. After his service in World War II, Ray returned to Tampa Bay and with help from his brother, developed a makeshift underwater oxygen-breathing device long before scuba gear was created for the masses. They called it the “Odorlung”. Shortly afterwards, Ray and a friend opened The Tampa Skindiver on Gandy Boulevard, which for a long time was Tampa’s first and only dive shop. For many years, Ray forged spearguns, shafts, stringers, K*ll spikes, PPDs, and legendary pole spears from the backyard of his home that he shared with his wife of 54 years, Shirley. Long into his 80’s, Ray dove the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay on his boat the “Shirley O”, creating many lifelong friendships and memories. He set an example on how to live life and how to treat other people; his loving and caring way touched all our hearts.
Over the years, the very popular FSDA InterBay Spearfishing Tournament has drawn many local Tampa Bay spearfishermen and women together on Gandy Beach. The one-day tournament has always been in February, and heavily focused on building the camaraderie of the spearfishing community.
To honor Ray, in 2019 the Florida Skin Divers Association renamed the InterBay Spearfishing Tournament to the “Ray Odor Spearfishing Classic”. We can’t think of a better way to acknowledge Ray’s impact on the Tampa Bay spearfishing community. Ray was a true pioneer for skin diving and spearfishing, and through his life we are reminded of the history and growth of our beloved sport.
This one-day tournament will be held in Tampa Bay on Saturday, February 1st , 2025. 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 and largest stone crab claw of the tournament.
Agenda / Rules:
1. This Tournament will be a one-day tournament held on Saturday, February 1st 2025 at The Gandy Bridge Beach (Redneck Riviera), identified as the southwest side of the Gandy Bridge, west of the large Radio tower.
2. 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, February 2nd, 2025.
3. Registration will be held on the day of the tournament from 7:00 am to 7:45 am.
4. Captain’s Meeting: All Divers and Captains are required to attend the Tournament Briefing / Captain’s Meeting that will be held on the beach at 7:50 am sharp.
5. Times: This Tournament will start at 8:00 am and end at 2:00 pm. At 8:00 am, immediately following the Captain’s Meeting, boats may safely leave the beach and head out to hunt the waters of Tampa Bay. All competitors must be back at the beach and in the weigh-in line with their fish, no later than 2:00 pm. No Exceptions!!
6. Cost: The entry fee will be $30.00 per FSDA member, $60.00 for Ben Choi or $50.00 for non-FSDA
member (includes annual FSDA membership dues). Make all entry fee checks payable to “Florida Skin Divers Association”.
7. Diving Limits: Participants may dive anywhere in Ray’s Bay aka Tampa Bay, internal to the Skyway Bridge so as long as they depart and return from the tournament starting point at the Gandy Beach. Shore divers and kayak divers are encouraged to compete.
8. Tournament competitors must utilize breath hold when harvesting target species. Scuba, hookah systems, Spare Air & submersible bottles, and propulsion scooters are not permitted.
9. All competitors must possess and present a valid State of Florida Fishing License to compete in the competition.
10. All competitors and fish must be in weigh-in line (not in the water) by the 2:00 pm cut off time. No exceptions!!
11. 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.
12. Awards: Honors will be given to the Top 5 competitors, 1 st Place Female, 1 st Place Junior, Largest Fish, and King Crab. Awards will be presented following the weigh-in.
13. Eligible Species List is as follows:
• 5 Sheepshead (13” overall)
• 5 Mangrove Snapper (11” overall)
• 2 Mullet (10” overall)
• 2 Grey Grunt (8” overall)
• 2 Porgy (8” overall)
• 2 Hogfish (14” to fork)
• 1 Cobia/Cuda (36” to fork Cobia/24” to fork Cuda)
• 1 Black Drum (14” overall)
• 2 Spanish Mackerel (12” to fork)
• 2 Jack Crevalle (12” to fork)
• 2 Bluefish (12” to fork)
• 2 Flounder (14” overall)
• 2 Black Sea Bass (10” overall)
• 2 Sand Perch (8” overall)
• 2 Tilapia (8” overall)
• 2 Lionfish (no size limit)
• 5 Stone Crab Claws (5 claws count as 10 points plus total weight)
• 1 whole Blue Crab (1 Blue Crab counts as 10 points plus weight)
Scoring: 10 points per fish and 1 point per pound (20 point maximum per fish). Shooters may turn in a maximum of 20 fish for their overall aggregate score. The highest aggregate point total wins. Example: 10 fish turned in x 10 points per fish = 100 points. Total weight of all 10 fish is 60 lbs = 60 points. Total score = 160 points.
14. Handicap Advantage: Kayak divers will be awarded 1 extra point per fish and Shore divers will be awarded 2 extra points per fish.
15. The King Crab Competition will be calculated separately from the main competition. The diver that presents the heaviest single stone crab claw will be crowned “The King Crab”.
16. The Big Fish Competition will be calculated separately from aggregate weight. Competitors may enter their single largest fish. Heaviest fish wins.
17. Freshness: Fish must be in fresh iced condition when presented to the weigh master.
18. All fish belong to the competitors. Do not discard fish on the beach!
19. 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.
20. Juniors: Competitors younger than 15 on the day of the tournament are considered for this division.
21. Disqualification: Violation of any State Laws, Unsportsmanlike conduct (determined by FSDA Officers), or tournament rules may result in disqualification.
22. Protest: Any diver or boat driver may file a protest with the tournament Chairperson. A protest committee will be formed. The tournament Chairperson will vote as a tie breaker if necessary. All decisions of this committee are final.
This tournament is for fun and honor, so play fair and follow all the rules. Please dive safe and enjoy the competition.
All tournament updates will be annotated on this Facebook Tournament page and shall be reiterated at the Captain’s Meeting prior to the
tournament start.
Event Venue
Readneck Rivera... Gandy Beach, 14152 Gandy Blvd N, St Petersburg, FL 33702, United States,Gandy, Florida, Lealman
