Reefs / Wrecks on the public maps are unlikely to have large numbers of lionfish, especially once dive season gets fully going again after winter. We've pulled 0 - 20 per visit off the larger wrecks in the 75 - 100' range during the last 3 months -- mostly because they've seen very light diver visits over the winter. Sites in the Bay will have few to none in any case. The larger bridge rubble sites in 75-90' of water retain lionfish better but are harder to navigate.
This is not to discourage you from visiting Pensacola during the Lionfish Festival and meeting a lot of great people and doing some great diving. Unless I'm out of town for work, I'll be helping out at LRAD - as will most of my dive buddies. Book any scuba early - boats will fill up around that weekend.
The large lionfish hauls come from surprisingly small artificial structures (5' pyramids, reef balls, etc) that aren't on public lists. Many of the Pensacola Dive Charters will run lionfish trips to target these smaller spots - but usually require AOW level experience and Nitrox. These dives are often in the 100' range and done 'live boat' which requires confidence in making free descents and free ascents to your safety stop. There is great diving available for new OW's and most of the boats will let you try lionfish hunting during their trips - just don't expect to fill a zoo keeper.
