Stock Island charter captain and scuba instructor Hunter Ledbetter has been named the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2026 Lionfish King after removing 1,541 lionfish during the agency’s annual Lionfish Challenge.
Ledbetter speared the invasive fish over a four-month period from May through September, winning both the overall competition and its Veterans Division. The 65-year-old Marine Corps veteran was recognized at an awards ceremony in Pensacola on Sept. 27.
More than 500 fishermen and divers took part in this year’s statewide challenge, removing more than 36,000 lionfish, according to the FWC. Ledbetter said he averaged 35 to 40 lionfish a day during the contest and caught 101 in a single day at his highest total.
Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific but have spread through the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. In Florida Keys waters, they are considered an invasive predator that eats more than 70 species of native reef fish and invertebrates. Their venomous spines also help protect them from predators.
Ledbetter targets lionfish while scuba diving near local reefs and structures, using a pole spear and a shoulder-mounted containment unit to reduce the risk of being stung. He said removing the fish can give native populations a better opportunity to survive and thrive.
As the overall winner, Ledbetter received FWC merchandise and gear including a GoPro camera, spear guns and dive equipment. He operates his charter business from Stock Island.
