Across all Atlantic and Gulf states, Puerto Rico, and the USVI, prepare for the exhilarating 2025 Winter Lionfish Throw Down, a dynamic three-month spearfishing competition focused on combating the invasive lionfish threat devastating our vital oceans!
This thrilling tournament launches right after the FWC Lionfish Challenge (ending September 14) and runs full throttle until the eve of the Emerald Coast Open Tournament in late January.
Our goal? To unite courageous divers in a winter-long battle to reduce the destructive spread of lionfish year-round. Last year, nearly 100 intrepid divers made a splash, removing nearly 6,000 lionfish from our waters!
We’re beyond excited to witness the astonishing achievements and record-breaking catches that 2025 will bring!
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, county caught, dive buddy’s name and number of lionfish.
- After harvesting Lionfish, arrange the fish alongside the daily identifier, date caught, county caught in, dive buddy’s name 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.
- If the county caught in is not visible, the submission will be rejected.
- If the dive buddy’s name 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.
Stern Warning: Zero Tolerance for Cheating or Manipulation
All participants must thoroughly read and strictly adhere to the rules. Cheating, manipulation, or failure to be forthcoming with requested information will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Comprehensive audits and investigations, including those involving buddies, charters, and dive shops, will be conducted to ensure compliance. Any individual found violating the rules or not forthcoming with requested information will be immediately disqualified, and all disqualifications are final with no exceptions.
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)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
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).
Trip Exclusions:
- Meals:
- Lunch and dinner (except for Monday’s Mushroom Forest lunch and the BBQ dinner). On-site restaurants are available.
- Drinks:
- Bar tab or any personal beverage expenses.
- Dive Equipment:
- Personal dive gear (e.g., masks, fins, regulators).
- Rental equipment through the dive shop (available but not included).
- Additional Activities:
- Optional activities and related transportation costs.
- Insurance:
- Personal Expenses:
- Any fees charged to your room or dive shop account (e.g., souvenirs, additional services).
- Other personal costs (e.g., laundry, tips beyond dive staff gratuities).
- Other:
- Any unspecified fees or charges not listed in the inclusions.
2nd Place: One (1) winner with the second-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: Descent™ Mk3i – 51 mm – Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with DLC Titanium Band ($1799.99 value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
3rd Place: One (1) winner with the third-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: Riffe – 47″ Marauder Series Open Track Speargun ($1104.00 value)
ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
4th Place: One (1) winner with the fourth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: Scuba Pro – MK19 Evo/G260 Dive Regulator System ($1064.00 value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
5th Place: One (1) winner with the fifth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: Dive Rite – TransPac Singles BC Package PK7335/Voyager/Black/Quick Weight Buckle ($945.00 value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
6th Place: One (1) winner with the sixth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: SpearPro Teak Euro Speargun – Enclosed Track 120cm ($855.00 value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
7th Place: One (1) winner with the seventh-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: Cressi – Aquawing BCD ($599.95 value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
8th Place: One (1) winner with the eighth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: Big Blue – TL2900P-Lumen Narrow-Beam Tech Light
($399.00) - ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
- Prize: Big Blue – TL2900P-Lumen Narrow-Beam Tech Light
9th Place: One (1) winner with the ninth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: Dive 1st Aid – Oxygen Rescue Kit – Jumbo D (Backpack)
($380.89) - ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
- Prize: Dive 1st Aid – Oxygen Rescue Kit – Jumbo D (Backpack)
10th Place: One (1) winner with the tenth-highest Lionfish harvest count.
- Prize: PADI eLearning Course redeemable at any PADI Dive Center or with ZooKeeper (up to $246 value)
- ZooKeeper Swag Bag (Hat, Rash Guard, Gloves) ($110 value)
Note: Throw Down winners will be notified via email at the tournament’s conclusion.
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.
