Dive into the Fight: Join the 2025 Winter Lionfish Throw Down and Save Our Reefs!
Ocean warriors, reef protectors, and adrenaline junkies—get ready to make waves at the Winter Lionfish Throw Down 2025, hosted by the fearless folks at ZooKeeper! This isn’t just a derby; it’s a high-octane mission to take down the lionfish, those spiky invaders wreaking havoc on our marine ecosystems. From October 1 to December 31, 2025, you’ll spear these aquatic villains across the Gulf and Atlantic, from Florida to Puerto Rico, with a shot at epic prizes, including a dream trip to Curacao. Registration is live right now at lionfishzk.com—so grab your gear, rally your dive crew, and let’s save our reefs together!
Why Hunt Lionfish? The Battle for Our Reefs
Lionfish aren’t just pretty faces with their vibrant stripes and flowing fins—they’re ecological wrecking balls. Native to the Indo-Pacific, these invasive predators have invaded the Atlantic, Gulf, Caribbean, and beyond, with no natural enemies to keep them in check. They gobble up juvenile fish, shrimp, and crabs at an alarming rate, threatening native species like snapper and grouper, and disrupting the delicate balance of coral reefs. A single lionfish can spawn millions of eggs a year, turning our underwater paradises into their personal buffet. Hunting them isn’t just sport—it’s a critical strike to protect biodiversity, support local fisheries, and preserve the vibrant reefs we all cherish. Every lionfish you spear is a win for the ocean!
Where the Hunt Goes Down
The 2025 Winter Lionfish Throw Down spans the lionfish’s battlegrounds across all Gulf and Atlantic states, plus U.S. territories:
- Gulf States: Florida (Panhandle to the Keys), Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas
- Atlantic States: Florida (east coast), Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina
- U.S. Territories: U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix), Puerto Rico
Whether you’re diving the vibrant reefs of the Florida Keys, the wrecks off North Carolina, or the turquoise waters of Puerto Rico, every lionfish you bag counts toward your score and the greater good. This is your chance to explore iconic dive spots while making a real impact!
Why This Derby Will Light Your Fire
This isn’t your average fishing trip—it’s a three-month epic from October to December, packed with hunts, monthly challenges, and live Facebook prize drawings that keep the energy electric. Connect with a community of divers, swap epic tales, and sport exclusive ZooKeeper swag that marks you as a lionfish-slaying legend. Whether you’re a spear sharpshooter or a first-time diver ready to make a splash, there’s a spot for you in this movement. Every Lionfish you harvest helps restore our oceans, making you a hero of the deep.
Prizes That’ll Make You Dive Deeper
ZooKeeper and their stellar sponsors have rolled out a prize pool that’s pure dynamite. The grand champion scores a trip to Curacao (April 30–May 6, 2026, valued at $3,465), plus a ZooKeeper swag bag to flaunt your victory. But the loot doesn’t stop there:
- 2nd Place: Descent™ Mk3i dive watch ($1,799.99)—track your conquests in style.
- 3rd Place: Riffe Marauder Speargun ($1,104)—your weapon for precision strikes.
- 4th Place: ScubaPro MK19 Evo Regulator ($1,064)—breathe easy while you dominate.
- 5th Place: Dive Rite TransPac BC Package ($945)—gear up like a pro.
- Plus, more spearguns, BCDs, tech lights, oxygen kits, and a PADI eLearning course for 10th place. Monthly drawings (October, November, December) dish out five prizes worth $30+ each—just for submitting one fish!
For a $50 registration fee, you get custom rash guards, sponsored gear shipping by late October, and a ticket to this treasure chest. It’s not a cost—it’s your entry to glory!
How to Join the Hunt
The rules are straightforward and savage: Grab your daily emailed identifier, snap clear pics of your whole-fish haul (heads and tails intact, counts visible), tag the date, county, and dive buddy, and submit within 24 hours. Only fresh lionfish caught between October 1 and December 31, 2025, count—no frozen relics allowed. Hit the registration page to lock in your spot, and check the full tournament rules for the nitty-gritty.
Your Call to Arms: Save the Seas, Seize the Glory!
Divers, the ocean needs you now. The Winter Lionfish Throw Down is your chance to forge unforgettable memories, score prizes, and strike a blow for our reefs. From the Gulf’s warm shallows to the Atlantic’s dramatic drop-offs, every lionfish you spear is a step toward healthier oceans. Registration opened September 1, and spots are vanishing faster than a lionfish in a feeding frenzy. Don’t wait—dive in at lionfishzk.com and tag a dive buddy to join the fight.
Stay salty, stay savage! Be the Predator not the prey!
