Tournament Info
January 1st, 2020 Registration Begins
January 24, 2020 Pre-tournament Kickoff Party
February 1st, 2020 Pre-Tournament Begins
May 14, 2020 Captain’s Meeting
May 15-17, 2020 Main Tournament
May 16-17, 2020 Lionfish Removal & Awareness Day Festival
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Emerald Coast Open
The Emerald Coast Open (ECO) is the largest lionfish tournament in the world! Last year , ECO had 189 participants and removed 19,167 lionfish throughout the tournament – 14,119 in 3 days! ECO gave away $48,000 in cash prizes, and over $10,000 in gear prizes. We are looking forward to an exciting 2020 tournament!
Pre-tournament
February 1 – May 13, 2020
Participating in the ECO pre-tournament is easy for everyone! Simply go out and hunt lionfish. Drop them off at designated drop off locations and you will receive 2 raffle entries for each fish you turn in. That’s it! Hunt lionfish and win prizes!
Main Tournament
May 15-17, 2020
Win big money and big prizes! Each team of up to 4 can go out for 2 days and harvest lionfish. You don’t have to be a professional, but you do have to sign up and get out on the water! You can’t win if you don’t compete!
Countdown to Main Tournament Start!
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Schedule
Full Schedule for the 2020 Emerald Coast Open
Early Bird Registration Begins - Jan 01, 2020
Get your discounted Emerald Coast Open registration! It’s only $75 until March 31st, then it will go up to $100.
Pre-Tournament Kickoff Party - Jan 24, 2020
1835 Porch Bar –200 Harbor Blvd. Destin, Florida 32541
Don’t miss out on the Pre-Tournament kickoff party. Free food, including lionfish, giveaways, live music, and a lot of “sizing up the competition”. Learn what’s in store for the 2020 Emerald Coast Open. Party starts at 6pm and goes to around 9pm
Pre-Tournament Begins - Feb 01, 2020
Start racking up those raffle entries! Between Feb 1 – May 13, registered participants can turn in lionfish at designated drop off spots for 2 for 1 raffle entries. For every lionfish you turn in, you get 2 raffle entries for over $10,000 in prizes given away at the main tournament.
Early Bird Registration Ends - March 31, 2020
Last chance to register at the discounted rate!
Pre-Tournament Ends - May 13, 2020
This is the last day to turn in lionfish for 2 for 1 raffle entries.
Captain's Meeting - May 14, 2020
This is a mandatory meeting for all teams. Come for the party at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar in Destin, or watch on the Facebook Live Feed. Each team must have a representative check in during the event.
Main Tournament Begins - May 14, 2020
From first light to last light on Friday and Saturday, the Emerald Coast Open will be in full swing! Sharpen up your polespear tips and practice your aim. Lionfish beware!
Lionfish Removal & Awareness Day Festival - May 16-17, 2020
Fun for the whole family! Eat lionfish, learn about lionfish and conservation issues, buy lionfish products, and more as we take over the famed HarborWalk Village in Destin for two days. Brought to you by Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Awards Ceremony - May 17, 2020
Awards ceremony will begin once all the fish have been counted and rankings tallied. Hang out, enjoy the bands and festival, have a hard earned beverage or two. Approximate time will be 3:00. Be sure and bring a bag for all the prizes given out!
Pre-Tournament Drop Off Locations
If you are particpating in the pre-tournament and do not see a drop-off location near you, or wouldl like to become a drop-off location, please contact Alex Fogg at (433) 995-6416.
Dive Pros Dive Shop
7203 US-98, Pensacola, FL 32506
(850) 456-8845
florida-divepros.com
Drop-off available during business hours. Please call when you are on your way to drop off fish.
Southwind Marina
(850) 529-2475
Southwindmarina.com
Call Capt. Andy Ross prior to your trip, if possible, to coordinate fish drop-off.
Dewey Destin's
8673 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 710-7070
destinseafood.com/Navarre
Call Alex Fogg at 443-995-6416 prior to your trip, if possible, to coordinate fish drop-off.
Zookeeper
Sarasota, FL
941-587-7206
zkstore.com
Call Allie ElHage prior to your trip, if possible, to coordinate fish drop-off.
Lodging
For the latest specials and discounts on Hotels through Emerald Coast Open, visit our STAY page.
2019 Tournament and Festival Photos
Register to Participate!
Anyone can win prizes at the Emerald Coast Open! Shoot for the biggest or the smallest for a chance to win BIG (Hint: the more you shoot during the pre-tournament the more prizes you can win!)