Apex Predator Open (2 Day Derby)
Apex Predator Open (Two Day Derby):
Tournament Start: Saturday, May 29, 2026 – 7:00AM
Tournament End: Sunday, May 30, 2026 – 4:00 PM
Awards: Sunday, May 30, 2026 – 5:00 PM
Apex Predator Open
The Main Apex Predator Lionfish Derby runs both Saturday and Sunday and is open to:
• Personal boats
• Divers using their own selected dive outfitters
Divers will compete in teams of two to remove as many lionfish as possible. Each participant will receive a commemorative Apex Predator challenge coin as well as a large mesh dive bag. Participants may hunt anytime between daylight Saturday morning and 4:00 PM Sunday, submitting fish for official measure and count on Sunday. Hunters may hunt anywhere in Florida but all fish must be presented during the official count and measure ceremony on Sunday May 30th for the fish to count.
Apex Predator Open Awards
Main Derby awards will be presented Sunday at 5:00 PM following the official close of the tournament. Fish will be turned in in Pompano Beach.
Categories:
1. Most Lionfish Caught: $300 cash prize
2. Largest Lionfish: $200 cash prize
3. Smallest Lionfish: $100 cash prize
Tournament Start: Saturday, May 29, 2026 – 7:00AM
Tournament End: Sunday, May 30, 2026 – 4:00 PM
Awards: Sunday, May 30, 2026 – 5:00 PM
Apex Predator Open
The Main Apex Predator Lionfish Derby runs both Saturday and Sunday and is open to:
• Personal boats
• Divers using their own selected dive outfitters
Divers will compete in teams of two to remove as many lionfish as possible. Each participant will receive a commemorative Apex Predator challenge coin as well as a large mesh dive bag. Participants may hunt anytime between daylight Saturday morning and 4:00 PM Sunday, submitting fish for official measure and count on Sunday. Hunters may hunt anywhere in Florida but all fish must be presented during the official count and measure ceremony on Sunday May 30th for the fish to count.
Apex Predator Open Awards
Main Derby awards will be presented Sunday at 5:00 PM following the official close of the tournament. Fish will be turned in in Pompano Beach.
Categories:
1. Most Lionfish Caught: $300 cash prize
2. Largest Lionfish: $200 cash prize
3. Smallest Lionfish: $100 cash prize
- Price:
- $40.00 Race Fee + $3.40 SignUp Fee
- Registration:
- Price increases to $50.00 after March 6, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
| Registration Starting | Registration Ending | Price |
|---|---|---|
| January 17, 2026, 6:56pm EST | March 6, 2026, 11:59pm EST | $40.00 Race Fee + $3.40 SignUp Fee |
| March 7, 2026, 12:00am EST | April 3, 2026, 11:59pm EDT | $50.00 Race Fee + $4.00 SignUp Fee |
| April 4, 2026, 12:00am EDT | May 29, 2026, 11:59pm EDT | $60.00 Race Fee + $4.60 SignUp Fee |
Apex Predator Mini Derby (Half Day Derby)
The Mini (Single Dive Derby):
Tournament Start: Saturday, May 29, 2026 – 8:00AM
Tournament End: Saturday, May 29, 2026 – 1:30 PM
Awards: Saturday, May 30, 2026 – 1:00 PM
Mini Derby – South Florida Diving Headquarters
In addition to the main derby, a Mini Derby will be hosted at South Florida Diving Headquarters. Participants will board a chartered dive boat and head out to designated dive sites to hunt. Divers will compete in teams of two to remove as many lionfish as possible during a two tank dive. Each participant will receive a commemorative Apex Predator challenge coin as well as a large mesh dive bag.
• Single-boat, single-dive tournament
• Saturday morning dive
• Participation limited to divers on the chartered boat
• Mini Derby awards at approximately 1:30 PM Saturday
• All fish caught during the Mini derby will be counted toward the Apex Predator Open Derby totals if the participant has registered for both derbies.
Mini Derby Awards
Mini Derby awards will be presented Saturday at 1:30 PM following completion of the single dive.
This derby will happen on a chartered boat with South Florida Diving Headquarters. Your Registration includes entry on the boat but participants must provide their own dive gear.
Categories:
1. Most Lionfish Caught: $150 cash prize
2. Largest Lionfish: $100 cash prize
3. Smallest Lionfish: $50 cash prize
Tournament Start: Saturday, May 29, 2026 – 8:00AM
Tournament End: Saturday, May 29, 2026 – 1:30 PM
Awards: Saturday, May 30, 2026 – 1:00 PM
Mini Derby – South Florida Diving Headquarters
In addition to the main derby, a Mini Derby will be hosted at South Florida Diving Headquarters. Participants will board a chartered dive boat and head out to designated dive sites to hunt. Divers will compete in teams of two to remove as many lionfish as possible during a two tank dive. Each participant will receive a commemorative Apex Predator challenge coin as well as a large mesh dive bag.
• Single-boat, single-dive tournament
• Saturday morning dive
• Participation limited to divers on the chartered boat
• Mini Derby awards at approximately 1:30 PM Saturday
• All fish caught during the Mini derby will be counted toward the Apex Predator Open Derby totals if the participant has registered for both derbies.
Mini Derby Awards
Mini Derby awards will be presented Saturday at 1:30 PM following completion of the single dive.
This derby will happen on a chartered boat with South Florida Diving Headquarters. Your Registration includes entry on the boat but participants must provide their own dive gear.
Categories:
1. Most Lionfish Caught: $150 cash prize
2. Largest Lionfish: $100 cash prize
3. Smallest Lionfish: $50 cash prize
- Registration Limit:
- 30 spots left.
- Price:
- $75.00 Race Fee + $5.50 SignUp Fee
- Registration:
- Price increases to $85.00 after March 6, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
| Registration Starting | Registration Ending | Price |
|---|---|---|
| January 17, 2026, 6:56pm EST | March 6, 2026, 11:59pm EST | $75.00 Race Fee + $5.50 SignUp Fee |
| March 7, 2026, 12:00am EST | April 3, 2026, 11:59pm EDT | $85.00 Race Fee + $6.10 SignUp Fee |
| April 4, 2026, 12:00am EDT | May 29, 2026, 11:59pm EDT | $95.00 Race Fee + $6.70 SignUp Fee |
Apex Predator Open & Mini Derby
- Registration Limit:
- 30 spots left.
- Price:
- $100.00 Race Fee + $7.00 SignUp Fee
- Registration:
- Price increases to $110.00 after March 6, 2026 at 11:59am EST
| Registration Starting | Registration Ending | Price |
|---|---|---|
| January 25, 2026, 9:31pm EST | March 6, 2026, 11:59am EST | $100.00 Race Fee + $7.00 SignUp Fee |
| March 6, 2026, 12:00pm EST | April 3, 2026, 11:59am EDT | $110.00 Race Fee + $7.60 SignUp Fee |
| April 3, 2026, 12:00pm EDT | May 29, 2026, 11:59am EDT | $120.00 Race Fee + $8.20 SignUp Fee |
This is a service fee for processing your registration. This may be slightly higher or lower per registrant than the amount shown here.
