Get ready for the electrifying 2025 Winter Lionfish Throw Down, a thrilling three-month spearfishing showdown dedicated to battling the invasive lionfish menace wreaking havoc on our precious oceans!

This epic tournament kicks off hot on the heels of the FWC Lionfish Challenge (wrapping up September 14) and charges full speed until the eve of the Emerald Coast Open Tournament in late January.

Our mission? To rally fearless divers to spearhead the charge against lionfish through the chilly winter months, slashing their destructive impact year-round. Last year, nearly 100 bold divers made waves by purging close to 6,000 lionfish from our waters!

We’re absolutely pumped to see the jaw-dropping feats and record-shattering hauls that 2025 has in store!

Before registering, please review all rules and instructions.

The $50 registration fee is non-refundable.

Your registration includes:

Custom event rash guard
Sponsored items
Exclusive event gift (to be announced)
Opportunity to compete for the top ten harvester prizes
Eligibility to enter the monthly prize drawing by submitting one (1) Lionfish, as per the rules
Option to participate in monthly challenges, as per the rules

Event goodies will start shipping by late October.

Registration opens: Monday, September 1, 2025
Submissions start: Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 12:00 AM
- - All Lionfish must be caught on or after October 1, 2025.
  - No previously caught or frozen Lionfish will be accepted.
Submissions close: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM

Facebook live prize drawing: Friday, October 31 @ TBD Link: TBD
Facebook live prize drawing: Sunday, November 30 @ TBD Link: TBD
Facebook live prize drawing: Tuesday, December 30 @ TBD Link: TBD

Each morning, all registered participants will receive an email containing the daily “identifier.” Include this identifier in your submitted photo(s) with the date and number of lionfish.

After harvesting Lionfish, arrange the fish alongside the daily identifier, date caught and number of Lionfish being submitted.
Take a clear photo and submit it via the Fishing Chaos app by selecting “Submit Catch.”
Enter the number of fish shown in the photo.
Upload the photo for review.
You will receive a confirmation email upon submission, followed by a second email once your submission is approved.

Important Notes:

Submissions must be made within 24 hours of the identifier’s timestamp. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Only one submission per day, using that day’s identifier, will be accepted. If more than one submission is made with the same identifier, only the first submission will be counted.
If the Lionfish cannot be clearly counted in the photo, the submission will be rejected.
If the daily identifier is not visible, the submission will be rejected.
All Lionfish must be whole (no missing heads or tails).
Duplicate or altered photos will result in rejection and disqualification.
Submissions with uncountable fish, invisible identifiers, doctored photos, or duplicates will be rejected.
Tournament officials may conduct random audits or request additional evidence to verify catches. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification.

1st Place (Grand Prize): One (1) winner for harvesting the most Lionfish.

Trip to Curacao with ZooKeeper, April 30, 2026 – May 6, 2026, for the winner only ($3,465 value)

- Includes:
  - Round-trip airfare from Miami to Curacao
  - Airport transfers and taxes
  - Six (6) nights with “Dolphin Room” Accommodations at Dolphin Suites & Wellness
  - Daily breakfast
  - Four (4) days of boat diving plus one night dive
  - Participation in the two (2) day Lionfish Derby
  - Lionfish equipment provided for use during the trip
  - Unlimited shore dives
  - Unlimited Nitrox (for certified divers)
  - A group dinner sponsored by ZooKeeper

*Refer to trip eligibility requirements.

*Trip eligibility requirements:

The prize is exclusively for the registered winner and cannot be transferred to another individual.
The winner must be at least 18 years old.
The prize cannot be redeemed for cash.
If the winner is unable to take the trip, the prize will be forfeited.
The winner must possess a valid passport that remains valid through October 2026.
Proof of eligibility to travel abroad, including travel documents, must be submitted within 10 days of being announced as the winner (on or around January 10, 2026).

2nd Place: One (1) winner with the second-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

3rd Place: One (1) winner with the third-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

4th Place: One (1) winner with the fourth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

5th Place: One (1) winner with the fifth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

6th Place: One (1) winner with the sixth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

7th Place: One (1) winner with the seventh-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

8th Place: One (1) winner with the eighth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

9th Place: One (1) winner with the ninth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

10th Place: One (1) winner with the tenth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: TBD ($ value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)

Note: Throw Down winners will be notified via email at the tournament’s conclusion.

Additional Information: Increased donations may allow for additional place winners. Prize details are subject to change.

Prize Drawing Details

Five (5) prizes will be awarded monthly.
Prize details will be revealed later, with each prize valued at a minimum of $30.
Prize drawings will occur at the end of each month (October, November, December).
Any registered participant who submits at least one fish during a month will be entered into that month’s drawing.
All prizes will be shipped to winners at the address provided in their registration documents within five (5) business days of the drawing.