Firstly, what is a Lionfish derby?
Well, it’s a competition to collect and euthanize as many lionfish as possible. Divers attend a required kickoff briefing. In the briefing, you’ll learn the rules, biology, effects on our reefs and reef fishes, hunting and handling techniques. Not all derbies are the same; however, awards for the most lionfish, largest, smallest, and raffle awards are up for winning.
October 1, 2022
Location: Curacao
October 29, 2022 – Halloween DerbyÂ
Location: Deerfield Beach
November 18 – November 20
Location: AntiguaÂ
TBD: May 2023 – September 2023
Location: State of Florida
2023 TBD
Over 900 slayed – September 2022 – Islamorada, FL
Over 400 slayed – April 2022 – Key Largo, FL
July 1 – 28 – Charleston, SC & surrounding areas
July TBD – Festival at the South Carolina Aquarium
60,000 lionfish in the region have been culled thanks to programming put on by REEF
Florida has great diving and great lionfish hunting all around the state. Deerfield Beach, FL is one of my favorite places to dive along with the gorgeous Florida Keys, but it is the sheer quantity of lionfish in the northern Gulf of Mexico that makes it one of the best places to hunt lionfish.
Lionfish have been found in water depths from 1 to 300 feet on hard bottom, mangrove, seagrass, coral, and artificial reefs (like shipwrecks).
