Apex Predator Summer Showdown

Apex Predator Summer Showdown 2026 The Hunt Expands. The Mission Continues. The Apex Predator Summer Showdown returns August 29-30, 2026, with an expanded format designed to welcome more divers, more boats, and more opportunities to remove invasive lionfish from Florida's waters. Whether you're diving from your personal boat, hunting with your favorite dive outfitter, or joining us aboard the DX Divers charter for the Mini Showdown, you'll be competing in one of South Florida's premier conservation-focused lionfish tournaments. Together, we'll work to protect Florida's reefs while competing for cash prizes, bragging rights, and the title of Apex Predator. Event Schedule Summer Showdown (Main Derby) Saturday, August 29, 2026: Tournament Begins: 7:00 AM Sunday, August 30, 2026 Fish Turn-In & Measuring: By 4:00 PM Awards Ceremony: 5:00 PM Mini Showdown Presented by DX Divers Saturday, August 29, 2026 Boat Departure: 8:00 AM Return to Dock: Approximately 1:00 PM Awards Ceremony: Approximately 1:30 PM Tournament Format: Summer Showdown (Main Derby) The Summer Showdown is a two-day lionfish tournament open to all participants. Divers may compete: From personal boats Through participating dive outfitters As part of the DX Divers Mini Showdown Participants will compete in teams of two to harvest as many lionfish as possible between the start of the tournament on Saturday morning and the official close on Sunday at 4:00 PM. Hunters may dive anywhere in Florida during the tournament period; however, all fish must be presented during the official fish count and measurement on Sunday in Deerfield Beach to qualify for awards. Each participant will receive: Official Apex Predator Challenge Coin Car Seat Cover Mini Showdown Host at DX Divers The Mini Showdown automatically registers you for the full derby and the mini. The mini is a single morning two tank competition held aboard a chartered DX Divers (Lady Go) on Saturday. Participants will compete in