Join us for a fun weekend while supporting a worthy non-profit charity, Warfighter Scuba, at Operation Lionfish – Clear the Path! We have an event-filled weekend planned with something fun for everyone while raising money to support this important charity that provides therapy for our combat wounded purple heart recipients through SCUBA. We will have Captain’s Meeting & Cocktail Party, Operation Lionfish Hunt, Lionfish Weigh In, Live Music, Captain Bouncer’s Saltwater Fishing Clinic and more!
Registration is open for Lionfish Teams, To sponsor a veteran to compete in Lionfish Contest, and those who want to join in the fun at the Captain’s Meeting or Weigh-in and Awards Party. Come out and help us celebrate those who served!
| DATE | June 28 -29, 2024 |
|---|---|
| BASECAMP | Sands Harbor Resort& Marina, 125 N Riverside Drive, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 |
| TEAM ENTRY | $100 per Team (Teams can be up to 2 Divers) |
Sponsors
TICKETS, SPONSOR A VETERAN, & AUCTION
Event Schedule
FRIDAY, JUNE 28- DOCK PARTY, FISHING SEMINAR, & CAPTAINS MEETING
Sands Harbor Resort& Marina, 125 N Riverside Drive, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
| Dock Party, Music by Mango Man. Docktails and Tall Tales Told by Diving Legend Neal “Dive God” Watson, Sportfishing Legend Capt Bouncer Smith & Lobster Sniper Jim “Chiefy” Mathie | 17:30 – 20:30 Hours |
|---|---|
| Captain Bouncer Smith Fishing Seminar | 18:00 – 19:30 Hours |
| Dive Team Captains Meeting | 19:00 – 19:30 Hours |
SATURDAY, JUNE 29 – OPERATION LIONFISH & AWARDS PARTY
Sands Harbor Resort& Marina, 125 N Riverside Drive, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
| Open Waves Warfare | 07:00 – 15:00 Hours |
|---|---|
| Return to Base, Scales Open | 13:00 Hours |
| Dock Party, Music by Mango Man | 15:00 – 19:00 Hours |
| Scales Close, Kill Counts Tabulated | 18:00 Hours |
| Awards & Veterans Salute | 18:30 Hours |
| Silent Auction Closes, Dismissed | 19:00 Hours |
Lionfish Teams
Operations Lionfish Teams are 2 divers per team with a registration of $100 per team. Boats can have more than one team on the boat competing. One member from each team must attend the mandatory team captains pre-briefing at the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. Teams will receive two wristbands to attend the Awards Party, 2 Event Shirt, 2 Raffle Ticket to win a Yeti and more! Payout Format: Payouts will be based on the number of team that enter for Most Lionfish, Bigest Lionfish and Sniper Award – Smallest Lionfish.
| OPERATION LIONFISH PAYOUTS | |||
| TEAMS | 1-19 Teams | 20 -39 Teams | 40+ Teams |
| MOST LIONFISH PAYOUTS | |||
| Place | Payout | Payout | Payout |
| 1ST | $500 | $700 | $1,000 |
| 2ND | $250 | $350 | $500 |
| 3RD | $150 | $250 | |
| 4TH | $150 | ||
| BIGGEST LIONFISH PAYOUTS | |||
| 1ST | $250 | $350 | $450 |
| 2ND | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| 3RD | $100 | $150 | |
| 4TH | $100 | ||
| SNIPER – SMALLEST LIONFISH PAYOUTS | |||
| 1ST | $200 | $300 | $400 |
| 2ND | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| 3RD | $100 | $150 | |
| 4TH | $100 | ||
OTHER AWARDS
Divers will win other awards and prizes from sponsors throughout the event and awards party.
LOBSTER COIN
Divers who participate and provide 2024 FWC Lionfish tail verification can register for the coin for the extra lobster on mini season. Mini season is around the corner so don’t miss out!
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
- Fish MUST be dropped off no later than 5:00 PM Saturday JUNE 29, 2024, NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Operations Lionfish Teams are 2 divers. More than one team can be on a boat.
- Registration is $100/team by June 28, 2024 – 7:00 PM
- Operation Lionfish registration fee includes two wristbands, t shirt, raffle ticket and 2 wristbands to the Captains Party and Weigh-in and Awards.
- Mandatory team captain meeting Friday night at Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. At least one team member must attend for check-in.
Arm yourself to CLEAR THE PATH during Operation Lionfish! Get your Zookeepers, gloves and spears to be ready for action. And don’t miss the Captain’s Meeting for last-minute gear checks and dive strategies!
Derby Dive Boat Partners
Deerfield Beach, FL
$120 per diver – 3 Tank Dives,
Sandwich and Donation to Warfighter Scuba Included!
Pompano Beach, FL
Dive the derby with South Florida Headquarters.
Palm Beach, FL
Dive Operation Lionfish in Palm Beach with the Scuba Club.
Register, Rules & Sponsorship
SALTWATER FISHING CLINIC
Reel in the secrets of saltwater fishing like a pro with legendary Captain Bouncer Smith a special Outpost Angler Academy – Saltwater Fishing Clinic during Operation Lionfssh on Friday night! With over fifty years of experience guiding in Florida and the Bahamas, Captain Smith is a true fishing maestro. His adventures on the water have led to over 70 world records! Join us for an unforgettable clinic with the master himself and get ready to learn from the best in the business. Don’t miss this chance to soak up Captain Bouncer’s wisdom and take your fishing game to legendary levels! Grab your pen and paper, and let’s make some waves! The Saltwater Fishing Clinic is $25 per person, FREE to registered dive teams!
Our Cause
Every day 22 Veterans commit suicide. To date, that’s more than those Killed in Action in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.Warfighter Scuba, a 501(c)(3) organization created and run by vets, invites Purple Heart vets struggling to overcome the horrors of PTSD or loss of limbs to a week-long scuba certification wellness retreat, all expenses paid including travel.
Freed of physical restraint, introducing these worthy warriors to the serenity of scuba is a well-recognized antidote for restoring their mental well-being and sense of purpose. It’s a surprising fact that few vets are scuba certified, including even Navy Seals.
Share your love of scuba diving with those truly deserving. Thank these warriors for their service with more than just lip service. Show your gratitude with a donation to Warfighters Scuba. It takes cash to care. Let’s care about these worthy warriors.
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