2025 USOA SPEARFISHING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LAKE PLEASANT, AZ, APRIL 9-11

REGISTRATION

REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 11TH AND GET A FREE SHIRT!

This is team event. 2 divers per team.
$190 per Diver / $380 per Team

Fee includes tournament shirt, dinner, USOA World Team Support Fee, and awards banquet. Must register by March 11th to be in Official Tournament Program.

 

EVENT SCHEDULE

Wednesday, April 9th

  • 6:00PM - Mandatory competitor’s meeting & USOA rules meeting
  • 7:00PM - Mandatory Captains meeting & USOA rules meeting

Friday, April 11th – Main Event

  • 7:00AM - Check in / Boat inspection on the lake at starting location
  • 7:30AM - Start of 30 minute travel time. All boats will start at sound of horn.
  • 8:00AM - Official dive time begins. (Official time defined as GPS time on phone/GPS)
  • 2:00PM - Official dive time ends. (Official time defined as GPS time on phone/GPS)
  • 2:30PM - All divers must be check in with a tournament official (Pleasant Harbor Marina)
  • 2:30PM - Weigh-in begins (location TBD)
  • 3:30PM - Cut off for divers to check in for weigh in.

AWARDS BANQUET
Friday, April 11th

  • 7:00PM - 10:00PM - Location: Near the corner of Ramp Rd & Pleasant Dr
  • GPS location (  33°50'52.6"N 112°15'14.5"W )

Rules

The Anchor Building is located just 300 yards east of the most southeast boat ramp. There are bathrooms here, cold drinks, AC inside and inside and outside seating. This where we will meet for:

  • The April 9th for the meeting
  • The fish weigh in
  • The Awards Banquet

Weighing your fish

  • Boats can haul out at the most SE boat ramp and bring your boat and fish 300 yards up the hill on the left, to the Anchor Building.
  • If you have a rental boat, you can seal up your fish container / bag and label them with your name and boat # and have them trucked to the weigh in. The truck will be there and ready. You must put the fish in the truck and take them from the truck.
  • One diver from the team must be present at the weigh-in for the fish to be scored, and signed for. Signing for your fish count ends your opportunity to dispute the count. Scores will be posted electronically on Fishing chaos and on a hard board.

Boat rules

  • Every boat will need a 2 minute inspection so be ready, you will receive the check list and boat number which needs to be displayed.
  • A boat safety check will be done. Your boat safety check will include:
    • Life jackets in good condition with the correct number and sizes.
    • A fire extinguisher.
    • A throwable floatation aid.
    • A horn or bell or whistle, easy to reach. 
  • You may have more than one team on a boat. You may use a boat, jetskis, kayaks, or shore dive, but we all start from the same area and return to it.
  • A horn will start and finish the event. Divers must dive with a flag and buoy or dive within 100’ of their boat with a flag.
  • Divers are responsible for their own safety and that of their buddies. We will not mandate how far or close you need to dive near them.

Practice Area

  • Practice spearfishing zone is the OUTSIDE of the tires acting as a no wake zone for the Lake Pleasant marina.
  • Fish may not go into your boat. They need to be sunk after you shoot them. This was approved by the Local Warden, Tim Carlson, and you may shoot here ONLY before the event, but not during the event. This was opened just for us.

Diving Area

  • The NE arm of the Lake "Aqua Fria Arm” is an eagle sanctuary, a few hundred yards into this arm you will see Buoys restricting your travel. You may dive to the buoys but not beyond them.
  • The dam is open for spearfishing during the event. Please avoid diving the buoys marking the dam intake on the West end.
  • This is an individual and team event so please keep your fish separate.

Attention Divers!

  • Divers may dive safely near each other but are not allowed to approach boats, fishermen, or swimmers. Please politely swim around these  groups and give them some safe distance, 100+ ft.
  • Divers need to stay 200yds away from boat ramps. Docks and swim areas.
  • This event is freediving, only flashers may be used but NO CHUMMING is allowed at any time.
  • NO fish may be shot in the event area 30 days before the event. This will result in a disqualification for that individual.
  • The use of GPS, fish finders, and cell phones for time, is legal for the event and scouting days. Each diver is allowed only 10 scouting days, within 30 days of the event.
  • Each diver must tow a float with a flag for safety, as there can be boat traffic. Dive teams may choose to dive close together for safety or spread out. Divers without a float and dive flag will be disqualified.
  • Divers from opposing teams may dive in the same region safely.
  • Fish that are judged to have been shot before the event or rotting will not be counted, divers with multiple rotting fish may be disqualified.
  • By signing the Waiver, you understand this is a potentially dangerous sport and that you are responsible for you and your buddy.

Safety

  • Safety boats are on the lake. Use VHF CH16 or call 911. The marinas have safety boats, park rangers have a safety boat, the Department of Wildlife has a boat, and the local fire dept has a boat on the lake.

Eligibility

  • Competitors must represent a USOA Club and Council in good standing which has been in existence at least 3 months prior to the National Championships and must be individually registered with USOA at least 30 days prior to the Championships. Competitors must be citizens or legal residents of the United States of America.  
  • There are 4 team categories: Men’s, Women’s, Mixed and Masters Team. A Men’s Team is made up of 2men, a Women’s Team is made up of 2 women, a Masters Team is made up of 2 divers 55+ and a Mixed Team is made up of 2 divers - either an adult male with adult female or an adult (male or female) with a junior (male or female under 18 yrs. old).

Entry Fee 

  • The entry fee is $190.00 per competitor. Tournament t-shirt and banquet fees included for each diver. Anybody who wants additional tickets for the awards dinner banquet on Saturday, April 11 can purchase them for $25 each. Additional tournament t-shirts offered for $25.00 each. The deadline to register for the 2025 Nationals is April 1st - if you want you and your Team to appear in the tournament program. There is a cap for participants at 100 total divers. Please see registration form at the end of this bid to register your team and order banquet tickets and tournament shirts 

Species limits

  • No limit on Striped Bass, Carp (Grass Carp, Common Carp), or Shad.
  • All legal possession limits and state regulations must be adhered to. Arizona regulations allow for taking of Striped Bass, Carp (Grass Carp, Common Carp) and Shad. Any violation of State or Federal law will result in automatic disqualification of the diver. Every diver must possess a State of Arizona fishing license. Fish must be kept separated (separate coolers, stringers, etc.) while on the boat during tournament. Fish appearing not fresh or improperly handled will be disqualified. Each diver is responsible for the safe handling and keep of all game fish. No game fish will be wasted. NFSA will provide proper fish disposal for all rough fish. Chumming is not allowed. Team members are strictly prohibited from shooting fish for another team member - NO sharing/trading of catch. No loaded spear guns allowed on the boat. All guns must be loaded and unloaded in the water. Individual diver is required to load their own gun and no assistance with loading is allowed.

Scoring

  • Game fish (defined as Striped Bass). Each diver will receive three points per game fish. Each diver will select their largest game fish to be weighed for biggest game fish trophy. Reminder – Striped Bass are the ONLY game fish allowed to be taken in AZ waters. No White Bass may be shot. Anyone in possession of White Bass will be disqualified.
  • Rough fish (defined as Common Carp, Grass Carp, and Shad). Each diver will receive one point per rough fish. Each diver will select their largest rough fish to be weighed for biggest rough fish trophy.
  • Weigh your biggest fish for “Biggest Fish” awards, as well as to break ties for teams and individuals.

Boats

  • Dive teams are allowed to use boats for this event. One dive team or multiple dive teams are permitted to dive from a single boat. Local teams are highly encouraged to bring their own knowledgeable captain. Dive teams should be intimately familiar with local fishing laws and knowledgeable about water safety practices to best protect their team’s interests. Each diver will be required to have a dive float and flag that is visible to other vessels on the water. It is the responsibility of the boat captain to ensure that divers remain within line of sight of the captain. Boat captains should also maintain 150 ft distance from other divers in the water but are allowed to approach their team’s divers to assist in their support duties. NFSA will oversee an independent inspection and safety check of all vessels prior to the event start to ensure appropriate rules and guidelines are being followed. They will confirm presence of dive floats, flags and other safety devices as well as ensure that no previously shot fish are in the possession of the vessel. A checklist of each vessel will be completed and signed off on by all participants and dive teams at check in and prior to event start. This is in lieu of having mandatory observers on each boat

Protest:

  • In the event of a protest, protester must submit protest in writing within ½ hour of completion of weigh in (preferably earlier!) along with $100.00. The $100 protest fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld.
  • One representative from each club or region will be present at the weigh-in will have a vote on the protest committee.
  • The NFSA event Director will oversee the protest allowing each party 5 minutes to explain their side. Any decision of the protest committee is final.

Tournament Logistics

Boat Rental

  • Westside
    Participants will enter code “Fish” to redeem 20% off their rental.
    Bookings can be done on the website
    www.WestsideAZ.com
    Or by phone 623-302-4202.
    They deliver and launch boats each day to the 10 boat ramp. They will adjust times for delivery and pick-up on the tournament day.
  • Scorpion Bay
    928-501-7368
    To reserve they will need to call in and mention they are reserving for National and are with NFSA or USOA. They have 20' or 24' pontoons. They will adjust rental time on the tournament day. Rack rate is $450 for the 20' and $640 for the 24' for the 1st day and 50% off for any additional days.
    Boats are on the lake.

Diving Conditions:  

  • ​Visibility: 15 - 20 feet typical                                 ​
  • Temperature: 60 -70 degrees F but can get thermoclines past 30 feet down can be cooler.​
  • Depth: 05-30 feet average.            ​
  • Wind: Average wind 10 - 15 mph throughout month of April.            
  • Air Temp: Average highs in the low 80’s with daytime lows in the low 50’s.
  • Bottom: Sand, rock, brush and mud.