Skin and Scuba Spear Fishing

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Skin and Scuba Competitions

At our weekend Dives, hosted by M.D.C. Clubs, we usually hold two different Spear fishing competitions. The first is Skin spear fishing held on Saturday morning. Participants dive in buddy teams using only mask, fins, snorkel, and speargun. There are different classes for beginning and advanced competitiors as well as a womens division. This being a breath-hold type event lasting four hours, it does require stamina and skill. The allowable fish are restricted to rough fish or non-gamefish, such as carp, drum, redhorse, buffalo, quillback, and sucker.

The Scuba Spear fishing Competition is held on Sunday morning and follows most of the same rules and regulations except for the use of scuba equipment.

In Missouri waters the rough fish limit is 50 per day. In the case of a tie, winner
will be decided by total weight of the catch.

Weekend participants are awarded certificates after the competitions. Records of points are kept throughout the season and formal awards (in the form of engraved wall plaques) are presented at the Midwest Diving Council's Fall Convention and Banquet. Those placing consistently high in the standings for the entire year may receive a Bryant Award. This is in the form of a divers statue cast in solid bronze on a walnut base, and is considered one of the Council's highest honors.

Both Skin and Scuba competitions also award the largest fish brought in (by weight).

Skin diving spear fishing, and scuba spear fishing competitions have been conducted under strict conservation-minded regulations since the M.D.C.'s inception. Competition is held in various classes promoting competition by ability and skill level.

The fish are then donated to charities such as the Nature Reach Program at Pittsburg State University, which feeds birds of prey, and to individuals for various other uses.

Competitors who consistently place high at these meets are eligible to represent the Midwest Diving Council at competitions at the regional and national level. The Midwest Diving Council can boast some of the top competitors in the country and have held, or still do hold, numerous North American Catch Records for freshwater spear fishing.

During our Don Staatz's training seminar dive weekend the more skilled divers offer seminars on skin diving and scuba techniques, use of specialized equipment and successful spear fishing methods. It is open to any certified diver who has not previously placed in a particular event. (usually those divers new to these types of competitions)